At Beloit College I have very few simple pleasures, and the Powerhouse gym is one of them. Sure you are a spectacle to those eating below you, but if you ignore that and the sick aroma of Commons mystery food mixed with body odor, the gym here is actually pretty good. The machines are all in good shape, weights are (usually) organized, and — until you take a closer look — it appears to be pretty clean.
But that is the very issue that has sparked me to write this; it only looks clean from afar. This is not an issue on part of the lovely housekeeper responsible for tidying up the gym, oh no no no! This is an issue inflicted by YOU, the gym goer. If you go up to the gym you will see numerous trash cans placed throughout it with these wonderful boxes of disinfectant wipes on top that go concerningly untouched. Let me say this right now, those wipes are not a suggestion, they are a necessity. If your sweaty pits, butt, gooch or whatever is in your pants make contact with any of the machines/benches/equipment, you need to disinfect it.
If you have no shame in being seen not wiping down your wet biohazard, let’s talk about the actual health risks you impose by neglecting the wipes. The sweat you exude and smear on these surfaces is loaded with all kinds of nasty bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Coming into contact with the remnants of another person’s swamp ass can give you a staph infection, ringworm, athlete’s foot, and even cause visible warts and varying skin conditions to appear at the sight of infection (which would more than likely be your armpits, back, buttocks, and legs — ouch).
Keep in mind these infections are not a one and done deal. They can develop into a common cold or flu but they also have the capability of turning into a serious illness if left untreated for too long: MRSA, herpes, and HPV, just to name a few. Do you want to have athlete’s foot in your potty area? I don’t think so, and I know I sure as hell do not.
With the colder months and flu season quickly approaching, take this as my plea. Do not impose more bacteria on campus by neglecting to take the 45 seconds needed to disinfect the equipment. Remember to always use the wipes, wash your hands, and take a shower afterwards. These three simple tasks can do a lot to keep the space and our community safe and healthy.
Featured image: Betty Cavicchia’28
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