Hep A can be traced to a specific place if a worker at that place came down with it. Infectious disease specialists could have access to public health data tracking such information. It IS mandatory reportable in my state. So the matter was likely not where she got it but how - the mode of transmission.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions/HepatitisA
@MaterS - I read about hotels changing over to the wall pump shampoo holders. Not only are they saving tons of plastic, but they are putting in higher quality shampoo and conditioner. I still always bring my own refillable bottles with my favorite products.
OKay, a little off topic. But on the subject of hotels and conservation: I don’t like that unless you specifically make arrangements, towels are not washed and replaced everyday (at least here in California). At my stay last week, I had to put the towel on the bed with a sign saying that I wanted a fresh towel.
There are usually inadequate towel racks in the bathroom to dry the towels. I am left to hang the towel over the shower rod. So it’s nice to get a fresh towel. My hotel rant of the morning.
I agree @doschico, but the frequency with which my friend frequented the dance venues (sometimes 3 or 4 times a week) increased the possibility that she got it from a drinking glass.
@BunsenBurner, something being mandatory and doing it are two different things. Maybe the worker didn’t know they had HepA at that point. I use to work for Social Services. One time I had a case that the client had died from AIDS complications. He was working in a fast food restaurant and was throwing up and had diarrhea. He was found on the bathroom floor and taken to ER where he died. I bet he didn’t tell his employer he had full blown aids. People who work in the food and beverage industry are people who need their jobs just to survive and they aren’t go to divulge something that will put them out of work (usually without pay) until they recuperate sufficiently to return to work.
I was just trying to relay an incident, not trying to get anyone to start using straws.
The Milwaukee Bucks are building a new arena and it was on the news they will not have straws and all of the containers will be compostable.
I’m on the other side of the hotel towel thing @TatinG I would never not use a towel for more than one day. There are usually hooks on the back of the door and the towel dries just fine. My experience is that many times they take the towel anyway, even when I do what I’m supposed to do to have it left for more use. I travel a fair amount (business and personal) and I am fine with re-using towels.
Given the water issues in CA, I guess I can understand the policy which seems to require more of an opt-out than other hotel towel policies. Water is increasingly going to become an issue so I don’t see this stuff going away.
I certainly don’t use a fresh towel at home every day so I’m okay with reusing at hotels, too.
If a hotel lacks hooks/towel bars, might be a worthwhile pointing that out to them.
Upthread we discussed just keeping a re-usable straw in your purse. I’ve been doing this conscientiously since @doschicos opened this conversation, so I can still use a straw if I want but no waste.
We were at a California Pizza Kitchen a few weeks ago, and the waitress apologized saying she “had to ask” since CPK started a new policy of providing straws only if customers want them. We told her not to apologize, simply ask, but we were happy about the policy.
With this thread in mind, I chose the cardboard style OJ container yesterday instead of the plastic one. Baby steps everywhere!
I’m trying. I’ve gotten better if I’m dining in but where I have a problem is if I want to take my ice tea to go. I feel like I need a straw in order to drink in the car.
My FIL is annoyed that his favorite restaurant is not giving straws automatically. To add to his annoyance when he asks for one he gets a paper straw. He is 87 and not one to want a change.
McDonald’s switching over to paper straws in the UK and Ireland starting in September
I don’t use straw. I re-use my shopping bags. But I hope that they will not make the law to let the restaurants charge 1 dollar for a straw like the grocery stores charge 10 cents for a plastic bag in CA now.
I don’t like to see the servers pulling the straws from the pockets below their waist.
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/mcdonalds-plastic-straw-ban-united-states
“Later this year, McDonald’s will begin testing alternatives in select restaurants in the U.S., France, Sweden, Norway and Australia,” "
So yesterday I met up with friends and had to actively refuse the paper wrapped straw. Then when my friend arrived the server brought her water and laid down 2straws ( I guess because he forgot I didn’t want one?). And it was in the puddle from my water so ruined the straw. Sigh.
We are drowning ourselves in plastic waste so I am trying to reduce all single use plastic. Straws are easy for me even though I enjoyed using them. I am wondering about the sanitation fears of drinking glass rims . If that is a concern, wouldn’t forks, spoons, raw lettuce, menus etc. also be a worry? There’s always a risk to eating out but we are lucky to have a such a safe and clean food supply.
I ordered some metal straws from Amazon and I’m carrying one around in my purse. I don’t love it- just don’t like the feel in my mouth- but I will continue to use it.
Got an “alternative” paper straw the other day at a restaurant. Hated it. There’s a reason paper went by the wayside.
Was it one of those thick paper straws, @gouf78? I’ve used them and think they work fine but I’m just as happy going without a straw completely.
Yep. Thick but awful.
Anyone with recommendations for reusable straws? Not stainless. Bendable. Smaller diameter.?