Phones, tablets can spread germs – Agweek | Tech Reddy

“Get a new phone,” my husband told me. We were going to the airport.

I put the palm-sized phone in my purse along with the charging cords.

I didn’t know how to use this little phone. I wasn’t an “early adopter” at all.

On September 10, 2001, my plane landed in Dallas, Texas. Our conference started the next morning.

After we were advised to go to our rooms and turn on the news, the start of our conference was interrupted. We all remember that day.

On the way to the elevator, the phone rang.

“Will you answer your phone?” – asked someone.

I didn’t recognize the ring. I dug out the phone from the bottom of my wallet. I didn’t know how to answer him.

Someone opened it for me. My family was checking on me. I am happy to move into the house immediately.

When I flew home almost a week later, I didn’t want to get on the plane. But I had my trusty phone.

I’ve had several phones since then. My phone is always with me.

The other day, while my husband and I were having breakfast at a restaurant, he made an observation.

“No one talks to each other,” he said.

Many couples and families sat at the table and ate, but they did not talk. They were intent on their phones.

Cell phones bring a world of information and communication potential to our fingertips.
Can cell phones and other devices carry germs?

Yes, they can. However, research on foodborne illnesses associated with mobile devices is limited.

In a study published in 2020, scientists examined microbiological data from 56 studies conducted in 24 countries. Of those 56 studies, 54 identified bacteria on the phones, including staph, E. coli and E. coli species. They also noted the fungus.

Some bacteria and viruses can live on surfaces for days. If you use your phone while eating a sandwich or other food that contains protein and moisture, germs can get the nutrients they need to live and grow. Your phone is also a warm environment.

Our hands certainly touch our phones, and our phones can be in our faces when people talk to them. This puts germs close to our mouths and noses, where germs can enter our bodies.

Another researcher noted that 72% of people have never cleaned their cell phones.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, in a study published in 2018, about half of people used phones or tablets while preparing food. Only 37% of them washed their hands with soap after touching the device.

You can use your phone or tablet while using the recipe. Sometimes phones will “sleep” while reading a story or recipe and you may need to tap the phone to wake it up. Most phones allow you to change settings to extend the time the phone is “awake” so you don’t have to touch the screen.

Avoid cross-contamination in your kitchen, whether you’re using a cutting board, knife, phone or tablet.

How do you clean your phone? Here are some tips from Verizon. Check the recommendations of your phone manufacturer and carrier.

• Turn off and unplug your device before cleaning it.
• Wash your hands before and after cleaning your device. This means scrubbing with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Find the ports on your phone. Do not get moisture in the ports.
• Do not use soap and water on your phone.
• Do not use a paper towel to wipe your phone. Paper can scratch your phone.
• Use an antibacterial alcohol-based wipe to clean your phone. Wring out the mop if it is too wet. Alternatively, spray a soft cloth with a disinfectant cleaner containing 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Don’t forget to clean the phone case and other accessories.
• Do not share your technology with other people. It includes your phone, headphones and other accessories.
• Try to clean your phone every day. Just like brushing your teeth before bed, make this a part of your routine.

I need readers’ help with an online survey about grains, a staple crop in the Midwest. If you are 18 years of age and eat regularly, you are eligible to complete this online survey. You can complete it on your mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer.
As a thank you, you can win a prize in a random app that includes gift cards and various recipes. Visit https://bit.ly/ndsupulsesurvey to complete the survey. We appreciate your help. Send it to your friends and family.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., RD, LRD, is a food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at North Dakota State University. Follow him on Twitter @jgardenrobinson.