GERMS.

GERMS. Kids, when I was growing up, avoiding germs was a big deal. Highlights For Children (which I loved for the hidden pictures) had cautions about germs in every issue. My parents especially cautioned me about paper currency—“you don’t know who touched it last.” Then, maybe because of “miracle drugs” (which is how they often referred to), there seemed to be a lot less talk about germs. Now, talk about germs is back. Winnie Yu, in the December 2007 Family Circle, has an article (no link available) on ways to avoid germs. Among the suggestions: spend 20 seconds washing your hands (only 16% of people do so); change hand towels every day; and switch to paper towels whenever someone in the house is sick. Places that carry germs: shopping cart handles, and elevator and ATM buttons. No mention of paper currency.