As we move into the "cold and flu" season, I am re-running a "lifehack" post that I believe has done wonders in keeping me healthy. If you haven't done something like this already, please consider it - I see these sanitizer gadgets all the time at stores like Target for about $2 US for the holder and two bottles of sanitizer.
From June 2005:
As a very frequent flyer, I wanted to share a best practice I picked up from a friend of mine, John Palazza. After noticing that John always had a bottle of hand sanitizer with him, I realized this small idea would be handy to get rid of traveler germs as I made my way through airports and other places where the unwashed masses may gather.
I have seen the following things on planes and in airports:
- very grungy airline tray tables that haven't been wiped in who-knows-how-long
- people leaving public restrooms without washing their hands (not me, I assure you)
- people of all ages coughing and sneezing all over the place
- other things I'd rather not mention
I then see people eat off those airline tray tables.
I believe this is why I have always had at least one good bout of flu or something more exotic every year. For example, I caught German measles (aka Rubella) after a flight full of coughers about 3 years ago - apparently my childhood vaccine didn't work the way it should've.
But that didn't happen this year! I've been using John's little trick since last summer, and I've now officially made it through a season of heavy winter travel without getting the flu, or even a cold. I attribute it to the wondrous anti-germ powers of my travel-size Purell hand sanitizer, complete with its own handy little rubber harness that allows me to attach it to my briefcase.
I then sanitize my hands before and after meal and beverage service on the flight, and when I get off the plane.
If you travel a lot, why not give it a try? John puts the "Pal" in Palazza.