1-in-5

Statistics will have you believe that 1-in-5 people are emetophobic. Sorry but I don't believe this for a minute! For a start, I don't know a single other person who feels the way I do about puking, and I know more than 5 people. No really, I do! I mean, you have these people and you'll kind of mention "I've got a vomit phobia" and they'll go "Oooh, me too!". AS IF, you think indignantly, as they proceed to eat a sandwich with the very same unwashed hands they were holding on to a public handrail with, 5 minutes earlier!

And this is what it's all about. Hands. If 1-in-5 people really were emetophobic, the norovirus would be a much rarer illness (wouldn't that be nice?!) because us emetophobics are such hygiene freaks. We're obsessed with it to the point of bleeding hands and our recycle bins over-flowing with endless bottles of sanitizing spray/kitchen bleach/bathroom bleach.

Norovirus is spread by poor hygiene in most cases. Take simple measures to stop this, people, simple measures! Do as an emetophobe does and flush/turn the tap on with the opposite hand to your... err... toilet paper holding hand. Do as an emetophobe does and give those hands more than just a quick little once over - get right in between those fingers! If everyone did this, norovirus would be a thing of the past.

And for those that don't wash their hands properly or even at all, causing us poor emetophobes to panic frenziedly? Well why not employ such tactics as they do in the Middle East to deter theft. Cut their hands off. Think that's harsh? Then you're not an emet!