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A Matter of Health

Why we research

by Ruth SoRelle, MPH

Even though my mother has been dead for nearly two years, I am frequently amazed at how wise she was. In most instances, following her advice has stood me in good stead.

But not always.

When I cut myself, she cleaned it off and told me to forget the Band-Aids ™. It would form a scab and when it dried and fell off, I would be healed.

That was true, but that sometimes left a scar behind.

Now, a new column in the New York Times weekly Science Times disputes what my mother always said. Dermatologist have found that a small cut is less likely to leave a scar if it is allowed to heal in a moist environment – one that is maintained with a bandage. It might even prevent discoloration.

Mother was wrong, although I say that in a whisper still. I know she would be the first to tell me that if we knew all the answers, research would not be necessary.

For decades, people who handled food in restaurants, grocery stores and other public places had to have a health card. The card assured the public and the employers that they were free of diseases that could be communicated through food handling.

Of course, that was a false promise. For one thing, the cards were good for a year, usually. During that time, a food handler could contract almost any disease.

Many diseases, for which the health authorities did not test, could be passed by food handlers who did not wash their hands properly and had poor hygiene. Nothing in the card promised that they would be taught to wash their hands well or that this would be required in the work place. The card could not require that the food handler had been trained in safe food handling techniques. Did the card promise they would wear hair coverings or gloves? Did it teach them how to store food properly or prepare it without contamination?

A number of investigations demonstrated that the cards were virtually worthless as far as food handling was concerned. Instead, health authorities have substituted education and penalties for establishment owners where workers do not keep the rules.

This does not mean that you shouldn’t listen to your mother. Just keep the research in mind.

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