A dry look at washing hands

Dear Heloise: I now realize the importance of posting the law about employees washing their hands after using the bathroom facility and returning to the work station. Perhaps there should be a sign about the proper drying of hands, too.

A young employee of a fast-food restaurant quickly washed her hands and then dried them on her apron. She saw me watching, smiled and rushed out. There were two hand dryers, and she chose to use neither. Using her apron is a source of cross-contamination.

Why the concern? The business caters to children as well as senior citizens. Both groups have a vulnerable immune system, not to mention the in-between group with compromised immunology. I just called the headquarters and left a message.

— Margarette in Texas

Yikes! Good hand hygiene is the first defense to staying healthy! Employees in the food industry should be doubly conscientious about washing and drying their hands.

— Heloise

Dear Readers: Saving those plastic grocery bags is always a good idea. They have many uses:

Use in a diaper bag or picnic basket for small trash items.

Use for wet bathing suits after a swim.

Use in the garden to collect weeds and deadheads.

Use to pick up after your dog on a walk.

Use at the gym for sweaty clothes.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: This is in reference to the letter from the reader who makes donations to food banks. Whenever our grocery store has a sale in which you buy one and get one free, I always buy the items and give the extra one to the food bank.

— Luise S. in Florida

Dear Readers: Recently, we got new computer keyboards. Since the old ones had plenty of life left, we donated them to our women's shelter.

So remember, if you have used electronics in good working order, find out if a children's, women's or homeless shelter needs them. IMPORTANT: Clean out any memory cards or hard drives completely before donating!

— Heloise