Public Health ?

 There are two people who I encounter who I will admit that I'd rather not! One is an older woman who has a history of picking at sores and scratches until she bleeds. I've seen her, on numerous occasions, wipe that blood on tables, on bus shelters on on the walls of buses. I do not know her beyond that. I do not know if she carries any infectious diseases- anything that is blood-borne. I can also say that I do NOT know that she doesn't.

 I know, for example, that in the Public Schools , one drop of blood and one trace of vomit or other bodily fluids or solid wastes is considered to be a hazmat situation. The room will not only be cleaned , it will be sanitized and the teacher in the room and his or her students will be evacuated to another location within the school. These standards are haphazardly and lackadaisically applied in other public venues and circumstances and in public areas of private facilities!

I once mentioned her to a policeman and he knew of her as she lived in a small town in Northern Virginia. She said that a judge had ruled that she was not to be interfered with- that her rights could not beviolated. The upshot- If you know about her, You are wise to give her a wide birth, that will keep you safe.

Yet, Does everyone who rides on the bus know about he?. If she gets off the bus 15 minutes before someone else does, How does that person know whether the seat he or she now sits on is contaminated, whether the wall that their 5 year old son or daughter touches is a health hazard? The woman is protected, safe guarded , self-esteem guaranteed and can tell you that " You will leave me alone or Else!"  but the rest of us????? I've also seen her at Starbucks.

 I live within walking distance of a 7-11 and a Mickey D's, a homeless man, frequents both of them. He wears the same clothes for days and weeks at a time. His Body Odor is impossible to ignore and the odor also indicates that he is stained by human wastes. As in the woman, No  authority will deny him access to food establishments. He often sits in the Mickey D and sleeps. You do wonder how you can expect people to be willing to eat with such an odorous atmosphere around them. Again, There are clear health issues afoot.

You do wonder if it would be acceptable to tell this man and woman that they may, of course, be customers at Mc D's, 7-11 or Starbucks but they will need to make " To Go" orders. I believe that they could state that they have a responsibility to the health, safety and even comfort of ALL of the customers at their establishment. It seems wrong to allow people to force unacceptable and potentially dangerous conditions upon any and all who are in CLOSE or Nearby proximity to others.

I do believe in the individual- but people who are imposing an unreasonable and unacceptable burden upon every other individual near them. If the man or women is capable of doing something from being an intolerable presence among others, they need to be individually CHALLENGED to do what it takes to make that change come to pass. If an individual is incapable of doing anything about their fouling of the environment for anyone they encounter then institutionalization is likely what would be kindest for that individual and for those around them. I also believe that these individuals should be accorded the kindest and most humane POSSIBLE treatment if ,sadly and regrettably, Institutionalization is what is best for them. This man or woman is likely to gain a better life institutionalized than dealing with the ire of those who are repelled and repulsed by their health habits or lack of acceptable personal maintenance.

Sometimes, We have to wonder if some people are more favored than others. Yes. I know it can be argued that the man and woman are living a ghastly life- I'd be inclined to agree with you! Yet, Does debasing the quality of life for all that they are in close quarters with really address and correct anything?