My OCD stems a lot around common, contagious viruses (colds etc) and, even though I'll admit to being over the top with hand-washing and (not) touching public surfaces as much as possible, I can’t help but feel that a lot of my behaviour is perfectly valid. I have actually studied transmission of common viruses and am only too aware of how they are spread. I guess my problem is that the idea of ‘catching’ a virus is to me unbearable, rather than a mere nuisance like it is to an average person (hence my OCD).
Anyway, I digress… My main problem at the moment is that I currently share an office with six other people who cannot stand having the window open. They seem to be perfectly content with breathing in the same air, day after day, even when someone is ill. Like today – someone is ill with a cold and seems to be proudly coughing and spluttering in their campaign to prove what a brave person they are to come into work and spread it to everyone else. I opened the window a tiny crack, and when I left the room, I came back to discover that they’ve closed it and put the electric heaters on full blast. It’s June for goodness sake!
Another colleague was even saying how she hopes she doesn’t catch the cold as she’s going away next week. So why close the window?? Do regular people genuinely not understand the importance of fresh air?? I later saw her eating with her hands even though she sits right next to the ill person. Do regular people not understand germ transmission? It’s a serious question! I can’t remember what it’s like not to think about this kind of thing.
Sorry for the whinge, I just find it so hard (impossible) to concentrate at work when I’m forced to conform to other people’s unsanitary ways. Is fresh air really that unbearable? Serious question - I can’t understand it.
I am worried about how I will cope in winter when germs are more rife!
Any advice welcome.