Loo reading matter?

That is true harrigran! That's why you should always put the lid down before flushing. Or make sure your bottom covers the space appropriately. (if it is an interim measure)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but toilet germs don't always just come from hands, gut bacteria can become airborne especially when flushing.

Oh yes, I'd forgotten the dreaded crumbs!

Wheniwasyourage - I do so agree about the smells of cigarette smoke in library books, often accompanied by flecks of ash! Or crumbs....!

Before we moved house we had a big enough bathroom to have a home-made book rest in front of the loo, which was very handy. Now we haven't room but I can prop my book up on the laundry basket or the waste paper basket. As far as germs go, if all you've done is move garments as appropriate before you sit down, and if you don't touch the book between wiping and washing, where do the germs come from? I've never worried about germs on library books - many germs can't survive being dry anyway - but it does annoy me when I get one which smells of cigarette smoke.

Wouldn't dream of reading in the loo or for that matter in the bath-and as Iorder piles of library books I am cringing- I did order a very old book from the county bookstore-the 1920s label requested that if there were any infectious disease in the home to notify the librarian-presumably TB or scarlet fever

Scary in those days, wasn't it, but I've been pretty scared since swine flu kicked off. What I meant about paper and germs was that some things hold germs for longer than others, and I thought paper held them for 24 hours. However, I don't actually know why I thought that. I know money is pretty disgusting stuff, and cash points are yucky as well. Time to start using hand gel again, I think.

Our mum would never let us borrow library books because 'you never know who's had them'. Her cousin was the librarian and appeared to be quite healthy. I don't think my friends who frequented the library were any less healthy than we were. In fact, I seemed to have flu every winter library or no library. She also wouldn't let us swim in public swimming pools because she thought we'd catch something deadly. So - no chance of being an Olympic swimming champion.

I remember reading a sticker on a library book years ago asking to notify the librarian if there had been scarlett fever and such in the house while the book was on loan. I always wondered what they did when notified? Burn the books? fumigate them? Or put them straight back on the shelves? Or put them in quarantine? Never knew

Books and paper do hold germs crimson in the days when we had scarlet fever etc all books and comics had to be burnt. I remember being upset when the fumigators came in when I was allowed out of the bedroom, nothing came out of my bedroom, there was an open fireplace in there.

And if it's the 1% that gets you in the end.

PS. Welcome back, Greenmoss. Glad you've enjoyed your holiday.

I agree with you, Greenmoss. I think Aggie McKenzie and her ilk have a lot to answer for. A TV doctor on BBC 24 this morning was pointing out that bacteria don't live long on surfaces like handrails and ATMs and that children brought up on farms have a lower incidence of allergies than children brought up in more antiseptic environments. There is evidence that exposure to bacteria can be beneficial. But we should still wash our hands after visiting the loo and before eating. All that guff about cleaning products that 'kill 99% of all known germs'! What if most of that 99% are beneficial bacteria?

Gally - thanks, I had a lovely holiday! I ate too much, though! Didn't walk about enough and as a result have put on nearly half a stone!!! It will go though....I'm sure...?!! Our GP's surgery stopped having magazines and toys for the children for a few months after the swine flu outbreak, but are back to having them again now. Does anyone think that perhaps we could all 'disappear up our own backsides' (not a good place to be!) with the constant 'need' for hygiene? It's also created a very lucrative industry for cleaning/hygiene products etc - similar to that of the slimming 'industry'. We can be so easily led into believing all that we're told when it comes to this sort of thing. Perhaps it's all to do with the 'nanny state' that seems to have drifted into our way of life?

And then did it again

blimey you were quick jingly posted before I had my reply written.

I wondered where you'd been Greenmoss. Didn't realise you have been on hol.

Have a nice time?

Bluetack the book to the outside of the shower and turn pages with one of those sock-putter-onners ? (which don't work for socks so could be usefully employed elsewhere)

Mind you, I have survived.

Goes to show something, doesn't it.

Thanks Greenmoss. Thanks a lot!!!!

umbrella????

I am attempting to perfect a technique for reading in the shower.

Hello Greenmoss you back? How was your holiday?
Not sure about the health issues on reading in the loo.
Our GP Surgery don't allow magazines or books any more, which is a bit of a bore if you have to wait for ages, but they don't seem to mind if you read the pamphlets or information in ring-binders so not sure where they're coming from. They have hand cleanser if you use the self check in so I use it before and after as not many people seem to get the hang of following instructions.
I don't read in either the loo or the bath - the loo because I just want to get it over and done with (!) and the bath because I can only stay in for 5 minutes without getting hot and bothered or going all squidgy and anyway, the book would get soaked.

jinglej - a second-hand book could've been read by one person with very mucky habits !

I buy second hand books! Why is that not so bad as library books. Suppose they have only been read by one person.