Cold + flu germs probably passed around via racking balls + ball-in-hand handling

[arnaldo]

Bumped this thread to include an interesting rather novel study I found -- professional research that quantifies the 20 to 1 health advantage of the fist bump compared to handshaking (20 times less transfer of bacteria):

https://tinyurl.com/yxvlvf5a

Plainly common sense advice IMO. And beyond poolroom and hospital situations, it's relevant in daily life to many more types of health-adverse bacteria and viruses beyond those involved in colds and flu.

Arnaldo (Hope that fist-bumping becomes even more widely accepted)

 

[Dead Money]

Bumped this thread to include an interesting rather novel study I found -- professional research that quantifies the 20 to 1 health advantage of the fist bump compared to handshaking (20 times less transfer of bacteria):

https://tinyurl.com/yxvlvf5a

Plainly common sense advice IMO. And beyond poolroom and hospital situations, it's relevant in daily life to many more types of health-adverse bacteria and viruses beyond those involved in colds and flu.

Arnaldo (Hope that fist-bumping becomes even more widely accepted)

I like the fist bump!

 

[Hoser]

1. Soap 2. Friction (I saw in a kid's video to sing happy birthday to yourself twice... This helps kill germs plus you get some really interesting looks in a public restroom) 3. Keep your fingers out of your orifices

 

[Sedog]

This season seems worse than ever as far as widely transmitted colds, but not much you can do about it when you like to play as often as possible. I've heard of some players who travel to many other countries carrying antiseptic hand wipes (like those seen at a lot of food store entrances) in their cases.

The flu shots help and some of the vitamin supplements, but it's just the unique nature of our beloved sport that we have to jointly and continually handle so many of the essential items -- all the balls, chalks, and bridges.

Can't think of too many sports like that, but certain games -- like card playing, dominoes, etc -- are similar with respect to multiple essential items being jointly handled.

Arnaldo

Never a problem just spill a little of your drink on your hands every once in a while. Alcoholic dink of course.