Biggest worry - germs, Julius or economy?

2011-10-24 09:45

Chris Moerdyk 

We are living in worrying times right now and sometimes I worry about what should be worrying us most.

Just watching TV and reading the newspapers, I get the impression that we are being told to worry ourselves stupid about the global economic crisis.

Unless you are an investment banker or you have control over most of the world's oil reserves and food production, in which case, all you need to worry about is having a bank vault big enough to hold all your money and enough garages for your cars.

Back home, the media is telling us that we need to be very afraid of Julius Malema, but as far as I can see the only people that seem to be genuinely afraid of him are the majority of Cabinet members and the ANC's national executive committee.

Everyone else seems to think he's a joke. I don't, by the way, I think he is very clever and right now has more political influence that the whole cabinet and ANC NEC put together. But, don't worry about what I think.

So, what is worrying you? I would really be interested to hear what you feel right now? What is top of your worry list? Your three biggest worries? Just go to the comment section below and let me know.

What about germs and nasty bacteria? Do they worry you? Frankly, sometimes I get the impression that a lot of people are obsessed by germs. Sales of anti-bacterial soaps are booming as are those sprays that you use on kitchens and lavatories that kill all known germs dead.

I read recently that scientists from all over the world were getting together to start a global campaign to persuade people to avoid covering their noses with their hands when they sneeze but rather to sneeze into their elbows. Because then they wouldn't transmit germs every time they touched things - mostly other people.

A week later, I read about some organisation in the United States that wants to outlaw handshakes because they transmit so many diseases. I kid you not; the best alternative they could offer to replace handshakes was "touching elbows".

Just how stupid is that? Especially if one half of society sneezes into their elbows and the other touches elbows?

To look at some advertising these days, you get the impression that we should be wrapping our children in plastic bubbles to keep them germ-free. Trouble is, as some wise medical people have said, the more you protect your kids from bacteria the more vulnerable they will become. They suggest we should let our kids play in the dirt and hug their dogs to build up resistance and immunity to harmful bacteria.

But, enough of germs. All I can say is that I refuse to sneeze into my elbow or touch elbows in greeting.

How about you? Do germs worry you? Or, do you worry about what politicians, oil companies and bankers are doing to our world?

Let me know. I know what the media wants us to worry about but I'd like to hear it straight from you. And please don't say that I am writing rubbish because one man's rubbish is another man's worry.

Also, I don't expect you to wash your hands before making a comment down below.

- Follow Chris on Twitter.

Send your comments to Chris

Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.

- News24