FRIED COFFEE

Tony Shalhoub is, as we all know, brilliant as the phobia afflicted detective on USA TV. He serves as a leading man in another way as well. Monk has an obsession about germs, cleanliness and hand washing we might be advised to emulate. In an MSNBC article by JoNel Aleccia we are warned about  mutated bacteria strengthened by the overuse of antibiotics that is making itself at home on our person and has a life span of months.  A short article by Dr. Mercola furthers my growing dread and fuels my desire to avoid the nano – invasion.

We’ve seen people wearing surgical masks in public to ward off the airborne varieties of invasive bugs. The practice is more apparent in Asian countries with dense populations.
In professional kitchens the use of surgical gloves is common,  but I just don’t see myself sporting them while going about my business in the public arena. That could put an end to my already challenged social life. I’m leaning toward adopting the habit of using anti-bacterial wipes to battle the seemingly endless legions of mutated crawlies we are breeding.

The blog Ideal Bite has a discussion about the merits of disposables versus cloth-and-wash that is worth reading.

Those tools at the end of our arms seem to be the main source of potential exposure.  As a young chef-to-be I learned in my sanitation instruction to always use a paper towel to open the door upon exiting a bathroom for the simple reason that many people don’t. ( Where’s that hand been?)

I think the bleach infused hand wipes might just be the ticket.

Thanks for showing us the way Monk. Let me shake your hand. – On second thought………..