When I arrive home, the first thing I do is wash my hands. Before hugging my kids, before touching anything, I wash my hands.

Part of this is ritual, a way of washing off whatever "stuck to me" while I was out in the world so I am ready to be with my family. And part of it is intensely practical, as a way of keeping me and my family healthy.

I am not germ-phobic, more germ-aware! I understand that my immune system is there to keep me healthy and will deal with pretty much whatever...