MTR study shows how quickly bacteria travel across a city

[GeoTommy]

Hong Kong Subway Study Shows How Quickly Bacteria Travel Across a City

Before they boarded, they washed their hands, and once on board, they made ample use of the handrails. After they spent 30 minutes on the train, they exited and had their palms swabbed by researchers.

...one of Hong Kong’s lines crosses momentarily into a major Chinese city. And this line had noticeably higher levels of antibiotic resistance genes, or ARGs than the rest.

The East-Rail Line is the dirtiest of them all.

[Grumbler]

yeah this stuff is scary. rush hour is so bad. people be rubbing their sweat on others in the summer. stay healthy everyone!

[Elegiaque]

@Grumbler why is it "scary"? The article repeatedly points out how there is really very little risk. The risk is that idiots are using antibacterial agents and antibiotics helping the bacteria build up resistance. We all should be using good 'ol soap and water and washing our hands frequently -- and China needs to listen!

[Grumbler]

right, bacteria is everywhere anyway. most are harmless. actually, i just read another article stating grocery store shopping cart is super "dirty".

[East_coast]

@Grumbler why is it "scary"? The article repeatedly points out how there is really very little risk. The risk is that idiots are using antibacterial agents and antibiotics helping the bacteria build up resistance. We all should be using good 'ol soap and water and washing our hands frequently -- and China needs to listen!

It is a numbers game. The more bacteria the more likely you will get an infection.

There will probably become a time when handles and knobs in public areas must be made from anti-bacterial material such as SUS304J1 that has extra copper and is age heat treated so the copper at an atomic level precipitates out. This semi-free copper then kills bacteria

[Plutark]

There are bacteria everywhere. I remember reading one of the worst place being your keyboard and mouse at work. Just build some immune system and stop using the antibacterial stuff everytime you touch a door handle

[East_coast]

There are bacteria everywhere. I remember reading one of the worst place being your keyboard and mouse at work. Just build some immune system and stop using the antibacterial stuff everytime you touch a door handle

The door handle to the toilet is probably much worse......

There is building immunity by living a healthy life and having simple steps to reduce the quantity around you to drop the odds.

For bacterial infections like TB, Cholera, Typhoid and Legionnaires aren't really things you want to build-up your resistance to...