Was slightly overwhelmed today thinking of all the possible exposure routes in day to day life and viruses in general. Not just this one but the possibility of one that would be more virulent.
Had a leaking tire so I went to chain shop. First I stressed out before walking in because the last time I had my oil changed and tires rotated apparently the dealership didn’t give me back my lug cover key and I had no idea what this little adventure was going to cost me in time and money so I was ramped up to begin with. (Not as expensive or time consuming as I had stressed about.).
Walk up to door- pull handle. Wearing long sleeves and slipped it over my hand. Inside out keys on counter instead of touching hands. Now to pay. Remembered info about how dirty credit card slots are much less the touching of the machine, thinking about developing a credit card condom to patent. Push door with elbow to DH awaiting truck, had to touch door handle which I’ve possibly now contaminated, hand sanitizer inside truck and I’m good back to the lab to wash hands. Situation managed.
Phone call an hour later to pick up vehicle. Pull door handle-got that one covered with long sleeves. Reminder to buy more long sleeve t-shirts. Waiting patiently, busy place lots of people in front of me. Eventually guy goes back grabs my keys. Well crap , he’s touched I don’t know how many other keys and how many car door handles. To the computer he goes and starts typing where the last guy was typing and who knows how many others have typed who have touched how many key fobs handed to them by how many people? Get to my vehicle which has been moved. Touch car door handle- there’s another, at least one other person has touched it to get into the vehicle. Inside.. crap again..at least one other person has been inside my car. Touched steering wheel, gear shift, key fob, what else on the inside. Break out the hand sanitizer and do my hands, wheel, gear shift and key fob. Now I need to get gas, again trying to figure out the credit card condom, more buttons, when was the last time a gas pump handle was wiped down?? Then back into car to hand sanitizer. Thankfully I have one sitting out otherwise I would have to dig though my purse with “dirty hands”. Trying to imagine the drills we did in the vet pathology lab about not touching ourselves or things with gloves which I’m sure isn’t helping. Even if I had gloves in the vehicle and donned them before getting out, would I remember next time grabbing my door handle if I touched it with the gloves? Too many years of safety training drilled into my brain. I know I can drive myself crazy thinking of possible exposure routes. If I can’t laugh about it I might cry.
Got back to the lab and remembered we have 5 gallon cans of Isopropyl in the lab so we joked about starting a hand sanitizer operation in the back room based on the current prices on Amazon. Growing aloe plants out back, hidden under tarps so it’s all clandestine. That got me out of my exposure spiral. Also reminded me to order more isopropyl for the lab in case supplies get tight. Now to find 5 gallon buckets of aloe Vera gel.