“Eat germs sometimes.” I heard that so many times before during my childhood days when the food I’m eating falls on the house floor. There’s even a slight variation: count up to 5 and if you can’t pick up the “fallen” food by that time, then it’s no longer edible. So if you’re eating your favorite fruit, bread or snack bar, you better be quick. No washing, just a few gush of air from one’s mouth, which makes it appear that bacteria and the other creepy stuff cling to food just like tiny breadcrumbs on pandesal.
There’s no scientific basis for that. It is, in fact, contrary to hygiene standards and perhaps some readers may utter the dirty word: “Yuuuccckkkk” or “Eeewwww”. But, hey, I’m still alive, which supports the cliche that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Nowadays we are bombarded with ads about products that kill germs. We are shown graphic displays of germs sticking on the floor, deposited there by dirty feet crossing the sala, while children are playing. Aircons have ionizers. We have hand sanitizers. We are supposed to create a germ-free home. We parents, who would want the best for our children, buy all that.
I wouldn’t want that. I mean, I wouldn’t want my house to be absolutely germ-free (which is near-impossible, anyway). I want germs, at least those that could easily be treated, to run around my house and chase my child. I want his body and immune system to get used to it. I don’t want him to go whining and get seriously sick every time a second-rate, trying hard germ bumps into him on the street, in the mall or in school. I want him to be strong. And strength is not achieved by shielding him from all the yucky things in this world.
