The first defense against outside germs is our microbiome. I do take steps like not using shampoo to avoid damaging my microbiome.
If the microbiome on your hand is already full of bacteria who live in happy coexistince with you it’s harder for new pathogens to attack you then if you regularly kill the protective layer of the microbiome.
Let me steelman the argument.
The first defense against outside germs is our microbiome. I do take steps like not using shampoo to avoid damaging my microbiome.
If the microbiome on your hand is already full of bacteria who live in happy coexistince with you it’s harder for new pathogens to attack you then if you regularly kill the protective layer of the microbiome.
Beneficial effects of plant-associated microbes on indoor microbiomes and human health argues that if you put plants which aren’t sterile into hospitals that has benefitial health effects because it results in a better ratio of harmless/harmful bacteria even if it raises the total amount of bacteria.