A gadget for germphobes

Posted Nov 14th 2006 at 11:20AM by Anne Metz (Subscribe to Anne Metz's posts)

I can't tell you the number of times I've waited in a bathroom for someone else to open the door just to avoid touching a greasy, dubious handle. But there is some hope for my fellow germ-fearers: a new gadget called the Handler.

For $10.95, you can have your very own zinc alloy, rubbery gadget that keeps you and your hands a safe distance away from the offending germs. You can use The Handler for doorknobs, faucets, elevator buttons, ATM buttons, toilet handles, public telephones ... well, you get the picture. The best part is that the Handler contains silver nano particles which kill the germy-wermys on contact so that you don't drag the very thing you've been trying to avoid back into your handbag.

To some, the Handler might be an embarrassing addition to your keychain. But I assure you, as someone who has spent a considerable amount of time contemplating ways to avoiding touching surfaces through ridiculous contortions, glove-wearing and hand-washing, the Handler almost seems like a return to normalcy.

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Tags: gadgets, germs, The Handler, TheHandler

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Shar 11-20-2006 @ 2:14PM

That gadget is so dumb, one word for you- purell!

Scott 11-20-2006 @ 2:19PM

Just a thought, but can it be that some of the reason that germs are evolving in new and malevolent ways is that we're all so germ phobic we aren't developing appropriate resistance anymore?
Tough it out!

Helia 11-20-2006 @ 2:46PM

This would be the perfect present for my grandpa. He's 90 years old and is terrified of germs. He's survived everything else; guess he figures germs will be the only thing that can kill him!

Joanna 11-20-2006 @ 2:48PM

Sorry but I think I'll wash my hands instead and not look like I'm carrying a mini vibrator.

Rich Bishop 11-20-2006 @ 2:54PM

Wow! TV's Monk would buy this! Maybe the end to Antibac?!?!?!?!?!?!?

EZ 11-20-2006 @ 3:00PM

I would submit a comment, but that means I would have to touch the keyboard.

Sally 11-20-2006 @ 3:02PM

I know several germaphobes, myself included. I am going to buy some as stocking stuffers. Yes, I use purell, and in reply to Joanna's comment, I think it looks more like a cell phone than a vibrator, LOL. Either way, how many times have you been behind some disgusting person, nose running, sneezing, or just filthy and you have to use or touch something they have just touched. Sometimes there is no way out of it. This might help. Now if we can find something to purify the air immediately around you without looking obvious, I won't have to hold my breath while passing someone in the grocery store while they cough up a lung or sneeze at me. Spraying lysol or using a dust mask is a bit too obvious, LOL

suz 11-20-2006 @ 3:08PM

when i start to see people actually WASHING their hands after going to the bathroom, i might start to "tough it out." in the mean time, this is a great idea.

Gay 11-20-2006 @ 3:18PM

Not sure how I got onto this site, but I think such gadgets only make sense. I can't see exactly how they work. Where is there a demo? I'm in a business where I touch a lot of paper from a lot of students who don't practice very good hygeine at times, and I frequently use a hand sanitizer between papers. I also use a "neti pot," a nasal irrigation device to ward off sinus infections and think I have seen a decrease in colds, etc. Maybe I'm just becoming immune. I don't think one has to be a full-blown obsessive to be wary of germs, since nearly all studies show an alarming lack of awareness of the necessity of hand-washing in the general rabble, er, public. Signed, Montgomery Burns

Grace 11-20-2006 @ 3:24PM

I'm still not clear on how it works BUT - I think I'd rather wash my hands or just use a paper towel. Purel? NO. All that does is kill the bacteria. So, my hands are no cleaner, but I have dead bacteria there! YUK! LOL - I can't believe I posted this!

PEPPA 11-20-2006 @ 3:26PM

I ALWAYS CARRY A VIVA PAPER TOWEL IN MY HANDBAG FOR TIMES SUCH AS THESE. I ALSO FLUSH THE TOILET WITH MY FOOT ....WHEN I LEAVE THE BATHROOM, I USE THE PAPER TOWEL TO OPEN THE DOOR.... AND I LET IT FLY BACKWARDS RIGHT INTO THE BATHROOM.... WHERE IT LANDS >>> I'LL NEVER KNOW !!! LOL

THE TRIAL SIZED PURELL IS ALSO A GOOD THING TO KEEP IN ONES HANDBAG.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO FART AND YOU WALK RIGHT INTOTHEIR DISGUSTING ODER... AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOOGERS HANGING FROM THEIR NOSES... OMG !!! THEN THEY HAVE THE BALLS TO SNEEZE IN YOUR FACE... I'D BETTER STOP TYPING, ...AS I'M GETTING MYSELF INTO AN ANGRY SNIT !LOL

Dr. Koerten 11-20-2006 @ 3:42PM

Great, Now I can take home someones pubic germs in my pants pocket

Dr. Koerten 11-20-2006 @ 3:43PM

Great, Now I can take home someone's pubic germs in my pants pocket!

karen 11-20-2006 @ 3:49PM

I just had a visit from my sister and she would not touch the bathroom door handles. I think I just found her a stocking stuffer!

castaway 11-20-2006 @ 4:00PM

a great idea.........FOR FURTHER WEAKENING OUR ALREADY PATHETIC RACE!
our "germaphobic" society is , by seeking to eliminate their exposure to germs of any sort , weakening their body's ability to fight the very germs that it is IMPOSSIBLE to avoid completely!
we have read about the "strange" increase of allergies in the last couple of decades.
it is not strange at all, it is for the same reason!
when children's exposure to the pathogens in our enviroment is so
severely limited their immune systems are not familiarized with them,
limiting their ability to deal with them!
just as the over and improper use of antibiotics have created resistant strains of bacteria, the over paranoia of exposure is creating weaker immune systems! i wish i could go back in time and tell the native americans to just keep offing the white eyes every time a boat landed and they would eventually stop comming ( i am one by the way) at least there would have been one strong human species on the planet!

Mary 11-20-2006 @ 4:03PM

If all we did was worry about germs our life would be pretty sad! I have lived many, many years without being phobic about anything. Soap and water is the best! Take time to wash your hands, not just a quick, cold water rinse.

ERIN 11-20-2006 @ 4:07PM

I love it! My coworker is a purell using, lysol spraying bonified germaphobe and I just ordered one for him! And of course I had to get one for myself just in case-You never know, next thing you know everyone will be walking around looking like Captain Hook using these things! Can't be left out!

Mike 11-20-2006 @ 4:14PM

This is the perfect gift for the person with a suppressed immune system, (Transplant recipient, etc)

Laura 11-20-2006 @ 4:12PM

I think it sounds like an ok gadget! Someone brought one to Howie on Deal or No Deal. I will use papertowels if the bathroom has them, but when I see someone walking out of the bathroom and not washing their hands, ewe! Sometimes I will even take out a piece of t-paper if they don't have papertowels and use it to open the door instead. Bathrooms are the worst!

QBall 11-20-2006 @ 4:16PM

I agree with #13. Beware of germophobics. When they do get sick, they get sicker than everyone else because they have a compromised immune system due to their phobia. That phobia is an addiction. They are addicted to being germaphobes as much as people are addicted to any susbstance. The more you practice it, the worse you get. And the more addicted.

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