How do you train a husband?

[BronteM]

As a chemistry undergraduate I was part of a research project trying to reproduce new molecules and find a use for them.

My molecule made everyone in the lab cry if the tiniest amount got out of my fume cupboard, so I became very very good at washing up and keeping things clean.

So, I’m cleaning everything all the time, as the covid molecule seems to behave much as my lab molecule did. But OH is cheerfully sure that he’s following my instructions exactly - only he isn’t! This morning he happily grabbed a plastic bag of dog food with bare hands, humped it through the house, opening several doors, and was completely taken aback when I shrieked and ran for my disinfecting gun.

This is after we watched Contagion on iPlayer last night, and he promised that he’d got the idea of how easily everything is passed on.

[Nadine99]

I saw one very good analogy. Because we can't see the virus, pretend it's glitter and see how far it goes. I used this to explain to my 92 yr old mother this morning, and she might just have got the message now. Better still, actually put glitter on his hands and see what happens. Stay safe

[BronteM in reply to Nadine99]

The glitter idea is great...it’s amazing how far the grandchildren can spread it!

[PMRpro]

I posted this for our thread of the day:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

and someone posted this link:

nymag.com/intelligencer/202...

Is it graphic enough for him????? Someone complained it was a step too far, that we were preaching to the converted. But I am far from convinced everyone gets it ...

[BronteM in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, we've been through the first thread, but am keeping the second for extra ammunition. The concept of the virus lasting for 17 days on hard surfaces is pretty horrifying as most people seem to think it is only 3 days. It explains why the cruise ships were such a poor environment to sit out 14 days quarantine. And why our cruise in June is now a distant dream!

Thank you for your calm sanity, and good luck as you continue your quarantine.

[PMRpro in reply to BronteM]

Isn't it - and having posted it someone said "who do you believe?". Just because one bit of research finds one thing doesn't mean a later piece of work won't add to the range.

[trebar]

Sorry but this sounds soo familiar! Typical man?

[christine2715]

Completely sympathise. I am in the shielding group and we are now sleeping in separate rooms but my husband has drunk milk straight from the milk bottle and today dipped his knife into the marmelade jar and ate marmalade off his knife twice - he just doesnt get it!! I am on a double whammy of immune suppressants - mycophenelate and tocilizumab.

[BronteM]

I’m on tocilizumab and steroids, so I’ve had a letter from Addenbrookes telling me to shield. I’ve registered with the government too, but not sure whether I can now use that to get an online supermarket slot. For the moment we are fine though.

My husband is getting a lot better, but keeps forgetting likes yours! It’s also really difficult to work out the order in which to do things. I catch myself thinking ‘ooops, shouldn’t have done this until I’d washed my hands’ several times a day, and I’m the one with the problem, so it’s harder for those who are just living with us.

I’m getting a lot of exercise though, running round with a gun of dilute bleach and a cloth, wiping everything I think he’s touched. And trying to remember the phone Tv remote etc too. It’s all too new!