Paper Bills
By carolbee
@carolbee (16230)
United States
January 25, 2008 8:38am CST
I'm a cashier and recently there was a study done on money, paper bills, and viruses. It seems that a virus will stay on a bill for approximately three days. Coughing or sneezing while holding the bill can be a good reason the bills are contaminated. The first thing I do when I get home or before I leave work is wash my hands with very hot water. I'm a big hand washer anyway. Do you wash your hands after handling money? Think about how many of us go through a drive-thru at a fast food restaurant and then eat.
5 people like this
9 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse and use it often, not just handling money but shopping carts, door handles, anything that a lot of people handle. When out and about alot like at the park or someplace I'll actually stick the bottle in my pants or sweater pocket so its handy.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I'm not sure why but for years I've had this thing about the handles on shopping carts - I really wish the stores would make it policy to clean the handles at least when their brought back into the store or 'put in the line'. But I haven't seen any that do so I either push the carts with my shirt sleeves, will use my wrists rather than my hands (I don't want to touch the handles and then my face), and always sanitize as soon as I've finished shopping.
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
26 Jan 08
Yep, I have thought about it. It gives me the icks. Thats why I carry a mini bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse. Comes in handy with a four year old too. Our local grocery has started dispensing sanitizing cloths for the carts too. It's a good idea.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I think your grocery store is on the right track. Wish other stores followed this good practice. Thinking about all the germs that are on the handle of a cart makes me want to get home and wash my hands before I put the groceries away and I do this on a regular basis. Thanks for responding.
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
25 Jan 08
Hand sanitizer is real nice to carry in the car for just those things. I have always thought of money as full of germs. When I worked at our local race track and we would have big events I would have to work the ticket booth and certain events I would bring in thousands of dollars but when it slowed down you can bet that I was cleaning my hands over and over.
2 people like this
@leeesa (884)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I work at a bank and our tellers have waterless hand sanitizer at their windows. Fortunately I work behind the scenes in IT, so I don't have to deal with customers coughing in my face or exchanging dirty money and checks. It freaks me out when I see people in public restrooms who don't wash their hands too!
I don't want to think about the fast food thing. That will make me sick!
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I know many many people who go through drive-thru, including one of my kids, and eat fries while they drive away. It's something to think about! So you are shielded from the active germs surviving on money. That's a good thing. Thanks for responding.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
25 Jan 08
I so seldom use cash for anything that I don't worry about it. Being a cashier in a local store I've noticed that I'm not the only one. With technology the way it is we dont' even have to touch someone else's debit/credit card because they just put it in the machine. Cash seldom changes hands here but I do wash my hands as soon as I get home from work anyway.
2 people like this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
26 Jan 08
You better believe I wash my hands after handling money. That is the dirtest and germy thing around. Because it goes through so many people. You can also get infintecgo a disease from handling money. Its a red rash and it looks like poison ivy. So keep washing those hands!LOL
1 person likes this
@hotboy_1924 (48)
• Philippines
26 Jan 08
eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww.. money is one of the contaminant which travel viruses to other persons eww.. i will not handle anymore hehehe kidding aside.. your right dude money are so full of virus and its a good thing that you wash your hane after your work and before you play with your little sister or brother.. if you have.. its a godd habbit to wash our hands before going home and bed..
1 person likes this
