I think I'm turning into Howie Mandell

Those who know me well might get a good laugh at the thought of me being a germophobe - but it's growing more and more true.

I think it started a couple years ago after I took my Level 2 First Aid. They stressed the importance of thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds before doing any first aid due to the horrific germ transfer through hands.

Then there was H1N1 and the hospitals were really antsy about that and had removed all reading materials and puzzles etc. But they also have stickers above every door handle and toilet flusher that says something along the lines of '4,425 people weekly touch this door handle - please wash your hands' - and they have hand sanitizer ALL over the place.

And with me having been immune compromised during chemo, I did a LOT of hand-washing.

So now I've become more and more obsessed with it and am getting freaked out about what happens around me. So - for example, I not only wash my hands with soap and water before preparing any food, I also will wash them a couple of times during the process as well - mainly depending on what's for dinner and what else I've done.

I always carry hand sanitizer in my ball bag but this past weekend, I wasn't playing so I didn't have my gear out. There are port-a-potties readily accessible between the diamonds or you can walk quite a distance to the flush toilets with sinks. I made the trek - I looked around me at all the ball players who were in and out of those potties with NO hand-washing facilities or hand sanitizer in them, and then they go about playing their game - ie, touching the ball and throwing it to others. And then after the game, everyone shakes hands! And the WORST thought I came across was people using the potty, then coming out and digging their hand into a bag of sunflower seeds (a ballpark staple) which ALWAYS get shared! It grossed me out.

I have made myself a mental note to NOT eat other people's sunflower seeds, and I am going to put my own into a Tupperware container with a pour spout so nobody needs to dig into it.

Bearing in mind, it's not like I JUST started washing my hands only a couple years ago (ew) - but I didn't really obsess on it like I do now. Of course I always wash (and washed) my hands after using the facilities - but now I really spend time on it. The first aid people told us to sing 'Happy Birthday' while washing your hands and that's about the right length of time.

Hand sanitizer is not my favourite thing, however, it is SO much better than the thought of not having an option for cleaning your hands. Of course, then I start obsessing about the germs on the pump handles etc. I think the touchless soap & sanitizer dispensers are going to be a big market for me!!! Plus, I have started bringing Lysol wipes with me so I can wipe off the surfaces that I think could be suspect.

How does a slob like me become a germophobe? I still can't figure it out.

DON'T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER USING THE WASHROOM OR BEFORE PREPARING A MEAL!

This is my public service announcement for the day.