Posted on 12/04/2008 8:37:36 PM PST by hole_n_one
Hey mom, how clean is that Chuck E. Cheese? The answer is "not very". MomLogic.com conducted a down and dirty investigation with the help of "Dr Germ" himself, famed microbiologist Charles Gerba.
Dr. Gerba went to three locations in California and swabbed a variety of surfaces in the restaurant and arcade areas, such as play mats, trays, chairs, tables, and games. Among the discoveries from the analyses were:
--Serratia Rubidaea, a rare cause of respiratory tract infections, wound and blood infections, found on the Yellow Bus Ride in Pasadena.
--Enterobacter sakazakii, which can cause necrotizing enterocolitis, bacteremia, and infant meningitis, thriving on a table and high chair in Sun Valley.
--Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause urinary tract infections, wound and bloodstream infections and pneumonia, clinging to the children's play mats in Sun Valley and Burbank.
"We clean and sanitize our games every night with an antibacterial sanitizing solution called Sterbac Blue. We try to inspect and maintain during the day as well. We have a large amount of kids who come through here, and with them, a large amount of bacteria. We try to keep up with it."
In addition, pediatrician and mother of two Dr. Cara Natterson examined Dr. Gerba's results, and reassuringly said:
"As a mom, these bacteria sound alarming and scary. But as a doctor, I haven't ever seen a serious or life-threatening infection that can be clearly traced back to a kid-friendly restaurant. So take this all with a grain of salt. Personally, I almost never take my kids to these places, so that when I do it is a major treat. And I pretty much stay away during the cold and flu season."
Ick.
PFFFTTT! Freakin scientist get paid for this?
If one wants to find a dirty rat, Wash. D.C would be where I’d look.
Chucky Cheeze is nothing but a casino for little kids.
BActeria, schmackteria, just be thankful they aren’t being exposed to the immeidate life threatening threat of EVIL cigarette smoke -— which will kill you instantly..........
What about an elementary school classroom, where the kids are all day?
Bad pizza and too much excitement are a bad combo.
“What about an elementary school classroom...”
Good point! Back in my day classrooms and books were plenty dirty but then children stayed in desks in ranks and files. Now with “Centers” and so forth the children are changing seats and hanldling common items even more. I”m sure many are dirtier than a poorly managed Chucky Cheese.
I’m convinced that if I’m very, very evil in this life, God will damn me to spend eternity in a Chuck E. Cheese place. This is my idea of hell. I never displayed a greater self-sacrificing love for my child than when I took her to the one in our town.
The bookstore here is closing, but Chuck E. Cheese is still going strong. (spit)
California: Illegal immigration Central for the western part of the US.
You’re gonna find every disease known to man there.
Now if they’d only find a disease that attacks only stupid liberals, and one for which there is no cure. That would be Mother Nature at her best.
Try a damned subway in NY City, Phila, Baltimore, DC, etc.
How about an Arizona, New Mexico, Texas border town?
Vancouver, BC must have one of every disease in Red China.
You’re right redstateconfidential; “Freakin scientist get paid for this?” Yeah, and probably taxpayer money too.
Now where did I put that flesheasting bacteria?
I hate this place. Risa knew a boy whose job was to be the rat/mouse & he got lice so many times he quit his job. The food is awful & its a waste of money IMHO...Plus you know how I am about germs & Sassy!
I have never been to one. I don’t have your fear of germs and dirt but I definitely prefer to stay away from lice.
Bacteria will win someday
Lice scares me too lmao....I used to coat her neck & around her face with this oil stuff that was supposed to keep them away. I am so glad I don’t have to send her to school anymore. She got herself to bed before 9 tonight, said she had chills. I am hoping it isn’t a URI coming on. We’ve been so lucky this year so far...
I have to agree with other posters who have said that these bacterium can be found almost anywhere. The doctor quoted in the article said so as well. Planet Earth is not sterile.
Well...clearly I am in the minority here..
But, we love Chuck E Cheezes..
I meet a friend there sometimes when they open on Sat. Mornings..
We have coffee and they have Juice... we order Cinnamon Strudel pizza.....
It doesn’t cost us very much for tokens...we’ve stayed there for HOURS!!!
The kids play and play and we can chat..
It’s so dark and rainy/drizzly around here for 6+ months per year that this is a GREAT indoor place where they can run around and just PLAY PLAY PLAY!
It’s a zoo when it’s busy...but even then the kids have a great time..
She’s a strict mom too though...so, we have a lot in common!
(which doesn’t happen often in SEATTLE!)
Anyway...I’m sure Chuck E Cheese gets cleaned far more often than many other places we go...
We make the kids wash their hands before eating..and we’ve given them some squirts of hand sanitizer a few times..
But all in all..we have a great time there..
It's a silly piece.
The dirty 'rats in D.C. are far more dangerous.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.