It has now been a little more than a year since the world came to a full stop. Finally, with the success of COVID vaccinations, things are slowly starting to get back to somewhat normal. States are beginning to lift restrictions, gas prices are back to where we hated them, sporting events now have fans in the stands, and restaurants are starting to have both indoor and outdoor dining available. As we begin to ease in to doing things we all missed, there are going to be a few times where you find yourself thinking “damn, I didn’t really think about that.” If you haven’t already, there is a chance you’ll soon realize things we did pre pandemic, are things that might make you throw up a little inside. To some, a few of these might not be a big deal, to others it will have them reaching for that bottle of hand sanitizer every 30 minutes.

Escalator/Stair Rails

Whether it’s walking down some stairs at a metro station or taking the escalators up at your local target, a normal habit you probably picked up is putting your hand or lean on the rails on. Unfortunately, it’s a habit you along with everyone else who walks or rides those steps has. The amount of times you found yourself forgetting to avoid touching those railings are endless. Between you laying your hand on the rail and remembering when you told your self not to is likely you scratching your eye, touching your phone, or perhaps biting your nail. Hopefully you remember to have your bottle of hand sanitizer handy.

Arcades & Bowling

The good times are coming back. A night out bowling with your friends, choosing which one of your favorite games to wait in line for at the arcade, all after downing a few beers and enjoying some loaded nachos and chicken wings. Now, picture someone devouring a few chicken wings, dipping their fingers in those nachos, then wiping his or her mouth off with his hand after chugging his third beer. Next picture that person playing mario cart, air hockey, pop a shot, and using a bowling ball because who really brings their own. You just played each of those games right after. We all wish everyone washed their hands as much as we’re supposed to, but do they really?

Stadiums & Theme Parks

A group of friends singing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” a family of four taking pictures with the park mascot, a kid catching his first baseball in the stands, all great memories one can have at a stadium or theme park. As a former stadium employee and current theme park pass holder, those are just a few that come to mind. As a former stadium employee, I am also very aware of how disgusting some of these places can be. Some of the busiest times for theme parks and a sporting event such as an MLB game come during beautiful sunny weather. That sunny weather turns into some hot summer days, which turns into hot and sweaty people. People sitting in the roller coaster you’re next in line for or keeping the seat you paid for warm while you make your way through the ballpark. Its been years since I last worked at a stadium, and I hope the seat cleaning procedures have stepped up significantly since then.

Condiments

Washing my hands after reading the menu has been one the habits I’m glad I picked up early on. However, when I get back, ketchup, ranch, and my personal favorite, honey mustard, all great to have with the fries, onion rings, or whatever it is that was ordered (probably both). The ketchup, ranch, and honey mustard bottles have probably been sitting there as long as the menus. Only things is the bottles are things people touch while stuffing food in their mouths. It’s not just at restaurants though, condiments at food trucks, stadiums, and wherever else are sometimes left in the open and unsupervised.

Gas Pumps

One of the more obvious, yet often overlooked things that you probably didn’t pay attention to was something located somewhere you visit every week, the gas pump at the gas station. Atleast in parts of the country where drivers pump their own gas, the pumps are often unattended so who knows who else might be messing with them aside from the drivers. With gas stations being open 24/7, thinking of all the drivers that touch the pump at all times of day alone is scary. If you can recall the last time you actually saw someone clean the pump, you might be in the minority.

It’s safe to say there are more of these that might pop in to your head from your own personal experience. Restaurant and bar menus, Kiosks at airports, and ATMs are all honorable mentions and things people come across in every day life. Its no coincidance you haven’t picked up the flu, a cold, or COVID-19 if you’ve been wearing your masks, washing your hands, and following certain guidelines. All those germs you were often exposed to haven’t been given the chance like they have previously had. Hopefully businesses add improved cleaning procedures to their long term plan and not just during this period of time, but in any case, keep your hand sanitizer close!

Two convenient hand sanitizers that fit anywhere and smell amazing: