What Happens In The Bathroom Should Stay In The Bathroom
February 27, 2008 – 2:20 pm by Daniel JosephsDon’t you just love bathroom humor? Bathroom humor has always been known for its’ lewd and crude ways, however, I recently read a study regarding students’ hygiene that made me stop laughing.
A study conducted by the American Journal of Infection Control relays the startling statistic that “53% of students wash their hands after bathroom use.” But that’s not all…of those 53% who wash their hands, “only 18% use soap”! To which I offer one word as a reply: Unacceptable.
The most basic principle in personal hygiene starts with washing one’s hands, and it is clear to me that this basic action is being overlooked by students and is not being communicated by teachers or parents. How is it that Health Class is mandatory by most public and private schools, yet only 18% of students use soap after going to the bathroom? These students are basins for germs at risk for giving and/or receiving infections.
If each student knew how many germs he/her acquired after touching a public toilet, or using the various facilities in a school, I think that student would start carrying around hand disinfectant as the must have accessory of the season. Which come to think of it isn’t such a bad idea.
We need to continue to educate and re-educate students, parents, teachers and schools about how the simplest actions (or inactions) can often have the most positive OR negative effects.