At our Guest House we get many visitors who have travelled by air before staying with us. It is incredible how may of them are ill, sometimes with bad viruses and illnesses for several days or sometimes for weeks when they arrive.
This is very sad as it ruins their vacation and also their partners and friends suffer.
A recent article confirmed by belief that aircraft are a petri dish for germs and listed the six worst areas on a plane to avoid, literally, like the plague. Briefly they are :
GERM ZONE: Water and ice cubes for: E. coli, a common culprit behind stomach cramps
GERM ZONE: Seat Pocket for: Cold and influenza A, B, and C viruses
GERM ZONE: Tray Table for: MRSA, a deadly superbug
GERM ZONE: Airplane Meal for: Listeria, a microbe known to cause gastrointestinal illness and meningitis
GERM ZONE: Airplane Pillow and Blankets for: Germs like Aspergillus niger that cause pneumonia and infections
GERM ZONE: Airplane Lavatory for: A smorgasbord of threats like E. coli or fecal bacteria
The strong recommendation is to carry antiseptic wipes and use these, not soap and contaminated water – I would also suggest only drinking from sealed containers such as wine, whisky or beer
For years I have avoided these areas when flying and rarely suffered any illness on arrival, but you cannot avoid breathing – I have seen filters, which are supposed to clean out the cabin air which is constantly recycled, clogged solid with filth – but I guess if I tried to board wearing a gas mask they may be a bit suspicious
Hello Tony
The long silence is now explained. Being a recent newcomer to you blog and newsletter I wondered what had happened to you. Now I know. I stayed down in St Thibery for a few years hols with Bill & Ben who you will no doubt have heard of. I was surfing one day and saw your blogs and was reminded of Peche de Montblanc rose and so was compelled to write.
The easy answer to germs on the plane is to drive as you will no doubt observe. Lovely way to see France and not such a long way from the UK. I am about a year or maybe 2 after the recent government decisions on pensions to retiring and have a dream about a place in Herault, preferably around the St Thibery/Montblanc area. I love it down there and you are a lucky man! Hope to hear from you.
Regards
Andy
Hope to see you soon
Tony
We don’t regret one second of our decision to live in France – we moved here 20 years ago and, for us, the herault is the best of the best.
it is tricky to drive from North America or Australia and an exhausting and expensive haul from Scandinavia, so most of our guests have no option but to bask in a casket of germs for a while.
Let me know when you are looking for a home – I am putting some new tricks together – Bill and Ben are still working and have a place north of here now.
Hope to see you Soon
Tony
JHow to see you soon
Tony
Hello Andy – I replied a bit longer to this but it got deleted – Most annoying when software thinks it knows better than you do –
After 20 years in France se don’t regret a second – Bill and ben still active with a new place North of here – Let me know whne you are thinking of coming over to live – I have some new tricks for finding property
Best wishes
Tony