We're getting over the stomach{stomach[ˈstʌmək]n.胃，胃口；肚子，腹部 vt.承受，忍受} flu{flu[flu:]n.流感} in my house (NOT fun), so believe me, I've been thinking about germs{germ
[dʒə:m]n.微生物，细菌，病菌；(某事的)萌芽} this week--specifically how to avoid{avoid[əˈvɔid]vt.避免，预防，避开} them. So a recent headline caught my eye: The 10 Germiest Jobs in America. Of course, I had to click and learn more. Here's the scoop{scoop[sku:p]n.勺子；独家新闻 vt.用勺舀；抢先报道} ...
Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist{microbiologist n. 微生物学家} at the University of Arizona, whose nickname is "Dr. Germ," spoke toABC News recently, about the germiest professions{profession[prəˈfeʃən]n.(自由)职业[the～]同行；公开表示} in America:
1. Teacher/day-care worker
2. Cashier{cashier[kæˈʃiə]n.出纳}, bank employee
3. Tech support/computer repair
4. Doctor or nurse
5. Lab scientist
6. Police officer
7. Animal control officer
8. Janitor{janitor[ˈdʒænitə]n.管理员，管门人} or plumber{plumber[ˈplʌmə]n.管子工，水暖工}
9. Sanitation{sanitation[ˌsænəˈteʃən, ˌsæniˈteiʃən]n.公共卫生，卫生设施} worker (AKA garbage man/woman)
10. Meat packer
I think I'd add pest control workers to the list. Just think of those poor guys (and gals) crawling{crawl [krɔ:l]vi.／ n.爬行，匍匐行进；缓慢(费力)地行进} around in dark basements{basement[ˈbeismənt]n.地下室} in search of rats{rat [ræt]n.鼠}. Ewww.
Do you have a germy profession that you'd add to the list? A friend of mine is a librarian at a public library and she Purells her hands all day long. (Is Purell the best way to kill germs?)
And, a quick side note about Purell, and all other alcohol{alcohol [ˈælkəhɔl]n.含酒精的饮料，酒精}-based hand sanitizers folks: These don't "breed" bacteria{bacteria [bækˈtiəriə]n.细菌} as many people fear (I've been seeing some comments to this extent on the blog, so I thought I'd speak up). It's easy to come to this conclusion{conclusion [kənˈklu:ʒən]n.结论，推论；结尾；缔结，议定} given all the warnings from health experts about superbugs and how bacteria are becoming resistant{resistant
[riˈzistənt]a.(to)抵抗的，抗…的，耐…的} to antibiotics{antibiotic [ˌæntibaiˈɔtik]n.抗生素 a.抗菌的}, yada, yada, yada--but rest assured, hand sanitizing gels aren't the reason. These are alcohol based and don't contain any "antimicrobial" properties (most don't, anyway). It's antibacterial soaps and wipes that have some health experts worrying. The thought is that bacteria are becoming stronger and bolder as a result of our love-affair with antibacterial everything. So, Purel away--it just kills the bugs and doesn't make them grow bigger and stronger. And maybe read up on antibacterial soaps and products before using--just FYI.