cleanthoughts Fools More so as of late, I have found myself observing the hygiene habits of individuals while out in public. Included in my areas of observation are restaurants, bars, restrooms, office envi-ronments and various other establish-ments open to the general public — as long as you are a paying customer. Given the recent hysteria of the H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) pandemic — which the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn of making a resur-gence in the coming months — I expected people to be more wary of who and what they come into contact with. During one of my recent escapades to a local watering hole, I noted the interaction between a group of presumed friends. One of the individuals repeatedly coughed into his hand before proceeding to shake the hand of another and wiped his runny nose with the back of his hand before hugging someone else. I do not consider myself a germaphobe or any variation of the like; however, even I was put off by this chain of events. On another night and under a different cir-cumstance, I found myself in the restroom of my favorite fine dining establishment. Whoever was responsible for designing this restroom clearly knew what the male populace wanted, and so I found myself temporarily glued to the flat screen televi-sion mounted just above the spot-and streak-free mirror. I have always been one to frequently wash my hands — not out of fear for germ contamination, but simply because I dislike the feeling of greasy soils on my hands. While fixated on the game, I saw sever-al men leave the restroom without the slightest inkling to wash their hands. I saw others quickly rinse with water alone before grabbing more than twice the necessary amount of paper towels to dry their still-soiled hands. After watching the majority of these gen-tlemen grab the same handle and pull the door ajar to return to their tables and finish their meals with their significant others, I cringed. After promising myself it would never happen, I now carry a small container of hand sanitizer with me wherever I go. And, in the case I forget to grab it on my way out of the door, I keep a backup bottle in my truck. Practice proper hygiene and wash your hands often, for one never knows where others have been or what they have done. As numerous health organiza-tion recommend, using a hand sanitizer is a viable replacement for hand washing in the absence of soap and water. Since we are social beings and cannot survive as hermits, it is imperative that you protect yourself in the presence of others. Ignorance is bliss, but edu-cation saves lives. I urge you not to be an April fool. CM April Publisher Matt Gallinger mgallinger @ ntpmedia.com Associate Publisher Micah Ogburn mogburn @ ntpmedia.com Editorial Director Rich DiPaolo rdipaolo @ ntpmedia.com Managing Editor Aaron Baunee abaunee @ ntpmedia.com Account Executive Susan Pierce spierce @ ntpmedia.com Art Director Marty Harris marty @ grandviewmedia.com Director of Business Operations Michael Perkins mperkins @ ntpmedia.com Ad Materials Manager Rebecca Wilson [email protected] CMI ® Administrative Manager Sharon Hillis shillis @ ntpmedia.com ext. 3159 ext. 3179 (516) 404-4532 ext. 3157 (256) 715-0342 ext. 3133 ext. 3138 ext. 3165 Editorial, Advertising & Publishing Offices NTP Media, division of 19 British American Blvd West • Latham, NY 12110-6405 (518) 783-1281 FAX: (518) 783-1386 S u b s c r i p t i o n Q u e s t i o n s o r I n q u i r i e s T o l l F r e e ( 8 6 6 ) 7 2 1 -4 8 0 7 O u t s i d e U . S . ( 8 4 7 ) 7 6 3 -1 8 6 7 o r e m a i l c l e a n i n g m a i n t e n a n c e @ h a l l d a t a . c o m S u b s c r i b e / R e n e w / C h a n g e o f A d d r e s s : h t t p : / / w w w . c m m o n l i n e . c o m / s u b s c r i b e Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to: Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 Corporate General Manager Barry Lovette [email protected] Vice President of Operations Brent Kizzire [email protected] Chief Marketing Officer, Publishing Services Group Hank Brown [email protected] Vice President of Business Publishing Tracy Aston-Martin [email protected] Vice President of Finance Brad Youngblood [email protected] Director of Circulation & Fulfillment Delicia Poole [email protected] Circulation Manager Brandy Pate [email protected] Honorary Advisory Board: Aaron Baunee, managing editor Send comments or thoughts on this topic or any other article that appears in CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® magazine, to [email protected]. Mike Adams, Greenfield, IN; Stephen Ashkin, Bloomington, IN; Jim Brewer, Arlington, TX; Laura Dellutri, Lenexa, KS; Ron Goerne, Bloomington, IL; Russell Kendzior, Southlake, TX; Don McNulty, Blue Springs, MO; Bob Merkt, West Bend, WI. CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online™ Service at www.cmmonline.com 4 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • April 2010
CMM – Archives Apr 2010: 4
