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Comment by RamblingCTO | Hacker News Reader

Sounds like a problem not worth solving? In my wework the handles get wiped down as per the cleanign protocol. Takes what, a second? The costs are marginal.

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How often do they get wiped, and how dirty do they get in between? The idea here seems to be keeping them sanitary continuously.

What about bathroom doors that are touched constantly?

Use your foot.

https://old.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/1kb994/t...

I use my elbow. It is the same recommendation as to cough to your elbow. You do not touch with your elbow on yourself or others so it is generally safe.

Unfortunately not always practical due to poorly designed handles and lock mechanisms. I usually "sacrifice" my little finger for this when I have to use my hands, with the theory that I'm much less likely to put that finger in my mouth or eye etc.

My "Plan B" is the paper towel I dried my hands with. Though bathroom layout, missing trash cans, and lack of paper towels occasionally foil that.

in iffy situations I use my fathers method, which is the systematic prevention of transfer, even if you must touch things or people (doctor,pathologist,forensics) in less than ideal circumstances, hard to describe, easy to demonstrate.

Alternatively, the back of your knee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkLfAG0AAzQ

Though this is more for the coughing/sneezing rather than the door opening.

Wash your hands after touching the bathroom door, then lean on the door with your shoulder. If you have to use a door handle to exit the bathroom (the door swings into the bathroom), it means the bathroom is poorly designed, so use the paper towel that you dried your hands off with.

I rarely see paper towels in bathrooms these days. 99% of the time it's an electric hand dryer.

Where I think this kind of idea tries to make its case is in places where cleaning is infrequent, inconsistent, or happens long after peak use

I suppose a second every few hours over dozens of doors adds up. And this has the benefit of being continual, so you don't get build up between cleans.

I'm sceptical myself that the tiny generator they have could produce enough energy, and that the coating they have won't be more of a hassle, but the idea is reasonable

How about silver plating?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass

On every usage??

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