New York – When Peter J. Sheldon boards a plane to any destination, his safety routine extends well beyond buckling his seat belt and noting the nearest exit. Once at his seat, he meticulously wipes down the cushions, armrests and tray table with disinfectant wipes. He refuses to touch the in-flight magazines and avoids using the restroom if at all possible. Since he began his in-flight cleansing routine he says he has weathered countless stares from other passengers but has never gotten ill from a flight.
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“I’ve become a cautious germ freak,” said Mr. Sheldon, an executive at a commercial cleaning company. As someone who thinks about germs for a living, Mr. Sheldon may be more neurotic than most, yet a look at the growing number of products catering to traveling germaphobes suggests he’s not alone.
A combination of factors, including the H1N1 flare-up of 2009, recent bedbug infestations at hotels and increasingly crowded flights that put passengers in closer proximity to one another, has made people more concerned about the germs and bugs they can pick up while traveling. It has also made them more proactive about protecting themselves. As a result, companies are hawking a growing array of products promising to help, including disposable face masks, antiseptic spritzers, airline seat covers and portable air purifiers.
When Pinchas Y. Schwartz enters a Mikvah, any where in the world, his safety routine extends well beyond bringing his own towel and soap. Once at his bench, he meticulously wipes down the bench, rekel hook, and hat hook with disinfectant wipes. He refuses to touch the no-name soap and shampoo, and avoids using the restroom if at all possible. Since he began his OCD-Mikvah cleansing routine he says he has weathered countless stares from other Mikvah goers but has never gotten ill from a dip.
“I’ve become a cautious germ freak,” said R’ Schwartz, an executive at a commercial pool chemical company. As someone who thinks about germs for a living, MR’ Schwartz may be more neurotic than most, yet a look at the growing number of products catering to Mikvah goeing germaphobes suggests he’s not alone.
the best advice is not to breathe on planes, since diseases like flu are acquired through airborne particles.
Never drink the water, coffee, ice or any other noncan/nonbottle liquied.
actually the air on planes is safer. All the air on planes are recycled through hepa filters, which make it cleaner than any ot
her air you would find in an indoor building.
I was waiting a long time for this! I’m a germ freak, and hate flights because of it! Thanks for running this article!
my life and i have done this for years the only problem is that the air you breath is recirculated and not filtered except for dust and if the germs are air borne well. but as for cleaning the sitting area should be done same for hotel rooms and no i am not in this business and no i am not a germaphobe but careful when possible
After the last flight I was on, I had a cold that lasted for weeks. Germs are worth being neurotic about.