An antiseptic world

Schools and businesses are on high alert regarding the H1N1 flu these days. Kids wipe down their desks with bleach wipes and there are antibacterial goo bottles everywhere.

I wonder if it’s OK to have all that antibacterial stuff killing all the bacteria around.

If you call the high school for tardiness or for being absent, you get an answering machine message that now includes a list of symptoms for the flu.

My kids and I went to ShopKo recently and by the door is a plastic container full of wipes and a sign mentioning the flu. At ShopKo, I saw someone cough into her hand. She must not have gotten the memo that says cough/sneeze into your sleeve.

Masks are available at clinics for people with the flu and there are signs asking people to wear masks if they are experiencing any symptoms.

It feels weird and a little Sci-fi to be this hyper-vigilant, but the medical field must feel that it is necessary.

It’s a Brave New World out there.