Sailing Invidious Multinational Germs

I remember — it must have been about five years ago — when Jonathan arrived in the office, fresh from a Home Entertainment Show and as happy as can be. He had finally discovered the secret for avoiding the show flu, despite the handshakes and late nights.

Something about swabbing the nostrils, he told me.

I didn't listen. What did I get for not listening? I got sick. This year, I'm a new man. I'm into listening. I'm into planning. I'm planning on not getting sick.

J-10 popped into my inbox over Memorial Day weekend. He advises:

Here's how to stay healthy at the Show. Duane Reade for Wash'n'Dri "Moist Disposable Towelettes — Kills Germs," and use 'em. Wipe down after talking to those who cough as much as they talk. [Hee hee. –Ed.] Those who grab your hand and wrench you closer in delirium at your visit, sailing invidious multinational germs your way.

And don't touch your eyes before you do so.

Use 'em before you dig into the bread you'll be starving for at the end of the day. Think back; just where have your hands been today?

Buy a small tube of Polysporon, an anti–bacterial gel used to heal cuts faster. Every morning squirt a dab of it on the tip of a Q–Tip and swab your nasal passages.

Virus receptors are right up there in the bridge of the nose.
Checked with my doctor and pharmacist; both thought it an excellent idea.

Haven't come home sick from HE or CES for years this way.
See you there... feel free to share!
Jonathan

Thanks, J-10. I will pass this on like other will pass on the germies.

COMMENTS
Christian's picture

The other thing you may consider is the Purell Hand Sanitizer gel. You can get it in a pocket size container, and keep a bigger contianer in you room for nightly refills. We were all made converts during the SARS scare of 2003. Not neccessarily at audio shows, just in general.I also strongly belive in alcohol! Beer, wine, whiskey, gin it doesn't matter. Disinfect your body from the inside; that's what I always say!!

Buddha's picture

Well, well...germ phobia rears its ugly head.

Makes sense, though.

Any large group of men who gather at an airport hotel and commune about how they can hear the differences between six-nines and seven-nines copper would be bound to have fragile constitutions. I think it's even in Harley's book: Chapter 7," ""Hi-Fi and Hi-gene.""

Me? I travel Nietzsche's road: ""What does not destroy me"," makes me stronger.""

Polysporin gel up the nose", eh? Dude, I knew you were a crazy party animal, but this. This! I bow to your depravity.

When you get to town, I can take you over to Michael Jackson's Neverland Pharmacy and we can get you outfitted with a micro-pore face mask, sleeping pod, mosquito net hat, shoes covers, and protective eyewear. They have a special pakage deal," ""The Andromeda Strain Pac"" that you may want to check out.

On a more earth based note", don't worry about people's germs in SoCal, it's the food that'll kill ya.

Cheers, amigo!

Jonathan Scull's picture

> Purell Hand Sanitizer gel. Yes, I use'em both! The Purell has some lanolin-like substance in it so I use it more as a porta-shower when things get really bad.> On a more earth based note, don't worry about people's germs in SoCal, it's the food that'll kill ya. You forgot the Lots of chicken caesar salads. Honoring transparency, I have learned from Stereophile's Mr. Wizard Dr. Kalman Rubinson that virus receptors, per se, don't actually make their home in your nose. Rather, receptors having to do with smell live there, of course," and are linked to the brain. It's a perfect neighborhood for germs to grow and prosper. Depravity? I think NOT! (-"" One year the hospitals overflowed with flu victims. That year I came back on my shield", or so it felt - for two weeks. While live and let live is fine for what passes for normal life, one plays with one's destiny being cavalier about CES Plague. I bid you...

Jonathan Scull's picture

OOOPS, editing skills from hell!- Purell Hand Sanitizer gel. Yes, I use'em both! The Purell has some lanolin-like substance in it so I use it more as a porta-shower when things get really bad.- On a more earth based note, don't worry about people's germs in SoCal, it's the food that'll kill ya. You forgot the badaBOOM! Lots of chicken caesar salads. Honoring transparency, I have learned from Stereophile's Mr. Wizard Dr. Kalman Rubinson that virus receptors, per se, don't actually make their home in your nose. Rather, receptors having to do with smell live there, of course," and are linked to the brain. It's a perfect neighborhood for germs to grow and prosper. Depravity? I think NOT! (-"" While live and let live is fine for what passes for normal life", one plays with one's destiny being cavalier about CES Plague. I bid you... ACHOOM!

Buddha's picture

For some extra useful down-low on staying well, the flight to L.A. is probably more of a hazard than anything else. Airline air is very dry and poorly filtered as it's recycled. Start your hygiene before you leave. Here's some tried and true flight tricks:

1) The air is so dry, it can irritate nasal mucus membranes and make it easier for bugs to get a foothold. (Picture a cracked and dry lakebed - same principle only microscopic.)Buy some Ocean brand nasal spray or the generic equivalent, and every 20 minutes or so, mist your nose. This will keep the membranes happier and help wash away buggies.

2) Use some Afrin nasal spray, or the generic equivalent, about 15 minutes before boarding. This will help keep your passages open and draining better.

3) Take a Sudafed, or the generic equivalent, about an hour before boarding. It will work from the inside to keep passages open.

Remember CES, and you were sick during? It wasn't Vegas that did it, it was the flight out here.

lobO's picture

Hi Stephen, my name is Jes

Tari's picture

Okay, so I didn't read Stephen

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