[Noisebridge-discuss] Prevent Diarrhea

[Just Duncan]

Based on a recent splash-back empirical data collected while cleaning the
toilets, I think it would be an excellent idea to take some basic steps of
prevention lest Noisebridge become a vector of transmission for whatever
underlying bacteria, parasite, virus, or karma might be causing this.

If you are able/willing to help implement the following-- or have additional
ideas-- let's communicate and do!

I'm starting with the fact-- that's not likely to change any time soon--
that the kitchen area is located right outside the toilet areas.

1)That in mind, the most BASIC step would seem to be creating the tools that
would encourage people to  WASH THEIR HANDS after using the toilet and
BEFORE using the kitchen.  What would help, that I personally cannot afford
or drive to pick up in bulk?

-  A means of drying hands after washing in the bathrooms and kitchen.
(Nick excellently bought 3 rolls of paper towels as a temp measure.  I'll
buy a wall mounted paper town dispenser for the kitchen after work today at
The Container Store.)   Paper towels have been DESPERATELY absent for the
past couple of weeks, though I can confirm to Al that his irrelevant,
archaic sign about "Why not...wipe down the sink?" remains up and
undefacated... I mean defaced.  Personally, I feel wiping down the toilet
rim and underside of the toilet seat BEFORE washing one's hand's would be
more excellent, but, again, definitions of "clean" apparently vary.

    It would be REALLY cool to find and fix or make a hand-dryer, though it
may not make sense if the electricity cost differential is significant.

    A cloth towel, as is in 1.0, may actually just exacerbate the problem,
not prevent it.

- Dishwasher Soap -  We've got a little left, but will be out quiet
shortly.  The past few days we've removed the disintegrated drying racks and
have encouraged people to RINSE dishes THOROUGHLY and then put them in the
dishwasher and running it to sterilize them, as we've observed that the
definition of "cleaning your dishes and eating utensils" varies greatly in
practice.

- Hand soap for the two bathrooms, large pump bottle preferred so it doesn't
fall easily on the floor or into the sink.  Gallon of refill would be MOST
excellent.

- A GIANT pump bottle of hand disinfectant in the kitchen to augment the
sign I'm going to put up suggesting that people wash their hands.  Gallon of
refill would be most excellent.

- A GIANT bottle of DAWN dish washing soap.  This is one of the few products
where other brands and generics just don't cut the grease nearly as
effectively.  If animal rescuers use it exclusively to clean wildlife after
an oil spill, that says something to me.  Gallon of refill would be MOST
excellent.

- SPONGES, preferably with one side being gently abrasive.  The ones we have
are falling apart.  BTW, microwaving a wet sponger for 60 seconds does a
pretty good job in disinfecting it.

Additionally, is anyone besides me interested in figuring out how to
replace the uber-cool edging around the kitchen counter?  Yes, I know it was
applied with cold plasma and the look from afar is wicked butch, but in
terms of kitchen counter practicality and cleaning/hygiene it simply sucks
(and not in the good way).  More specifically, wiping down the counter and
brushing debris over the edge into one's waiting hand is impossible.
Likewise, the cold fusion is failing in places and food particles are
caught, attracting...

FRUIT FLIES!

-  These are and have grown steadily as a problem in the kitchen area of
Noisebridge over the past couple of months.  In great frustration, I'm going
to point out the giant grey box labelled in yellow "Random Cable &" on top
of the cabinets above the conventional ovens.  Inside is a several month
project to make banana vinegar, a process that crucially involves the
larvae(?) or some other secretion/by-product of reproducing fruit flies...
akin to "honey comb"? for bees.  Although the large open mason jars are
covered with stretched cloth/rubber band and Francisco assured everyone that
it wouldn't attract fruit flies, my 3-month experience at NB-- which began
prior to the project's start-- leaves me wholly unconvinced.  And, NO, the
plastic tub is NOT covered.

   This is one of those things that either no one wants to help me relocate
(to the roof?) or deal with.  I've been told "yeah, we're doing something
about that tomorrow" too many times to believe it.  I'm restraining my
impulses to "do-ocracy" until Wednesday morning. :-)

-  All the blooms and roses brought daily by Wish into the kitchen area that
unhappily wilt, die, and decay here... something fruit flies seem to love.
First, having had a mother whose hobbyist passion was growing roses to enjoy
on the bush, I'm wondering the excellency of how these roses/flowers are
being picked.  Secondly, I think NB's kitchen can sacrifice color for the
sake of hygiene.  Finally, with all their thorns, disposing of them is
rather painful.    Is there any great object to a sign putting flowers and
floating blossoms on hiatus?

LASTLY... is anyone actually USING the compost we collect that serves as an
additional breeding area for fruit flies?  If not, can someone convince me
why not using the technology to quickly exit fruit fly fodder from the
Noisebridge space instead (i.e. the waste disposal we have)?  San Francisco
is going to remove the results from the sewage whether we contribute to it
or not and it's all organic anyway, just hastening the circle of life.
Please note I am NOT putting mice down the disposal.

Off to work, but THANK YOU!

Duncan
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