Audrey Taylor of Orange writes that if you are in the habit of wetting your fingers to turn pagesQor to rub your eyes, nose, etc. Qyou are helping germs to expand their territory. No matter how diligent you are in washing your hands, the germs will always be there. Just don't give them a chance to shoot you down. And how about putting their fingers in soiled glasses and not cleaning their hands before handling the silverware.
Waitresses also do the same and then go digging in the salad bowl to serve the salad.
Arthur Rieman of Santa Monica writes that studies have shown that the easiest place to acquire germs in a public restroom is the door handle. Every one who uses the restroom, including the vast majority who do not wash their hands, touches the handle to open the door. Rieman says that not only should one turn off the water faucet with a paper towel, but a paper towel should also be used to open the door on the way out. It wouldn't be a bad idea to push the paper towel lever before washing one's hands, too, so as to have the paper at the ready, as there certainly are germs on it. Rieman adds that the state of Oregon's health department requires food workers to wash their hands after using the toilet, and again when they return to the kitchen.