by Jerry Riley

No, I’m not talking about my Mountain Dew, or even my diet. This column starts with people spitting in public. I suppose many of them are tobacco chewers who need to get rid of their mouthful. They are so used to just spewing their filth at home, it’s habit to spit whereever they are, leaving their waste for other people to step in and track all over. As I asked questions, many people do not remember men doing this in the past. Maybe those people had poor role models; maybe they are now role models. I’ve observed grade school students spitting, without any concern. Maybe it is just a sign of the times – and what a revoltin’ development this is!

We are all aware that smoking is an unhealthy habit. Don’t limit the unhealthy aspect to second hand smoke, I’m referring to the discarded cigarettes I find on the streets and sidewalks. I’ve seen people not only flipping ashes out their car window, but also just tossing the cigarette butt into the wind. This is not only messy, but leaves unhealthy trash around.

Stop dropping gum on the sidewalk, or throwing gum from your vehicle. It not only creates a sticky situation, but can be harmful to animals.

Don’t cough without covering your mouth. One of the better methods is coughing into your arm, not your hand. Most people do not wash their hands after coughing into them, so they can spread germs on whatever they touch.

Sneezing may be worse because a sneeze can propel germs at 200MPH. Use a handkerchief, tissue or, as a last resort, your arm. Dispose of the tissue properly and then wash your hands. The same procedures apply for blowing your nose.

Every time you touch something, you can leave or pick up germs.  Wash your hands often. Think about who else has handled something you touch.

Jerry Riley comments for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor.

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