[Blessings2You]

So many people I know are either barfing or coughing/sneezing, and I'm really not looking forward to braving the "crowd" at church. Well, I AM looking forward to church, but not to being among all those nasty germs!

I totally understand that people can't stay home every time they have a scratchy throat or a weasly stomach...but I sure wish people would stay home when they're truly sick!

I also realize that there are folks who simply cannot afford to stay home from work for ten days for every virus that comes along. But church? Grocery shopping? School concerts? Really??

Both Bob and I have chronic diseases that aren't enhanced by additional illness. And yet, I know I can't be a hot house plant, locking myself in a bubble every time somebody sniffles. *sigh*

I know one thing: if Pastor says "everybody shake hands with the person next to you"....exit, stage left.

[Kitty]

Maybe you could wear some latex gloves and an allergy mask.......to match your outfit, of course. Maybe that would get the message across that germs aren't appreciated.

I used to cringe every time I'd take one of my boys to the nursery at church. There would be babies in there that truly had no business being out and about. I know they had no say so in the decision to come....it was their parents.

[Dejibo]

I went with a group of red hatters the other day to a barbershop quartet (just wonderful!) but when 4 of us crowded into the car I realized the woman beside me was hacking, coughing and sniffling. EEEK! I made sure to not touch her, and then I washed my hands when we got where we were going. I didnt sit next to her at the sing, and washed my hands and face once I got home. I love her dearly, but WHY?! why go out when you are sick?! stay home!

I too am not going to church this week as I have heard several women are suffering from bronchititis. some are early, some are late, and others just cant shake it. I also am struggling with some symptoms of my own disease and dont care to share.

When I worked in the prison i learned NeVER touch your face! you must thoroughly wash your hands with HOT soapy water for 2 full rounds of Happy Birthday to you before you can be allowed to touch your face. that is the route of 90% of the virus' and colds that float thru the population. touch a contaminated door handle and then touch your nose. touch a car handle and then wipe your eyes. touch a hymnal and then blow your nose, or wipe away a tear. Dont touch your face unless you know your hands are clean. In the 20s plus years I worked in the prison I never once had the flu.

I hope you brave it and go enjoy.

[SallyC]

This is Sunday, the day my lovable germ infested Grands come to visit... Before they get here I clean everything including myself. I use a little sinex spray in my nose to guard against the germs I will breath.

After they go I reclean my hands & face and wipe everything the touched with anti germ wipes, and give my nose another little spray.

So far, so good.

[NurseNancy]

nasal sprays are good for the nose. i do that every time i fly.
and, handwashing is the best tool against germs.

however, you can't help but inhale other people's germs. can you sit in the back of the church?

my biggest pet peeve is when folks go out among other folks when they are sick. and most times you're contagious in the very beginning shortly before you feel the bug full force.

[Blessings2You]

I ended up just staying for the first "half", the Bible class, but not the worship service. I bugged out before the kids came upstairs. The worship service is where all the hand-shaking, sitting side by side in the pews, etc. transpires.

I'm not that much of a germophobe, but so many people were specifically mentioning barfing kids and "oh my throat is so sore" that I was starting to get really nervous about being in the crowd.

I generally LIKE all the huggy-touchy stuff, but not when people are nodding their heads and saying "Yeah, it's going around, our family's already had it twice."