Coronavirus, Colds, Flu And What Is A Germ

Winter is winding up and we are moving towards Spring.  Just when we think we the flu and cold season is almost behind us we are faced with a global health pandemic of corona virus.  The common cold is a strain of corona virus of which we have no cure.  Face & body painters and fx makeup artists are faced quite often with the common colds as well as a variety of germs that may make us sick.  We, professional artists are prepared and equipped to deal with these.  So here's a few thing to know if you are concerned about those pesky germs.

Germs are found all over the place and we as professionals have a few things to consider when it comes to maintaining good hygiene practices.  There are four types of germs we artists who use face paint and fx makeup have to consider.

Bacteria are tiny, one-celled creatures that get nutrients from their environments in order to live. Sometimes that environment is our body. Not all bacteria are bad, some bacteria are good for our bodies helping to keep things in balance.  We are concerned about the 'bad" bacteria which can reproduce outside of the body or inside the body causing infections. Some infections that bacteria can cause include ear infections, sore throats (tonsillitis or strep throat), cavities, and pneumonia.

Viruses need to be inside living cells to grow and reproduce. Most viruses can't survive very long if they're not inside a living thing like a plant, animal, or person.  When viruses get inside people's bodies, they can spread and make people sick. Viruses cause chickenpox, measles, flu, and many other diseases. Some viruses can live for a short time on something like a doorknob or countertop, so be sure to wash your regularly.

Fungi are multi-celled, plant-like organisms. Fungi cannot make their own food from soil, water, and air. Instead, fungi get their nutrition from plants, people, and animals. They love to live in damp, warm places, and many fungi are not dangerous in healthy people. An example of something caused by fungi is athlete's foot, that itchy rash that teens and adults sometimes get between their toes.

Protozoa are one-cell organisms that love moisture and often spread diseases through water. Some protozoa cause intestinal infections that lead to diarrhea, nausea, and belly pain.

I know right, it's a lot, and artists have a big task when considering germs and hygiene practices. Professional face & body painters and fx makeup artists must do more than consider germs, we take must due diligence to combat anything that can harm us, our cleints and even our supplies. 

Being safe means having ongoing good hygiene, making a practice of it.  It is not enough for us to simply clean our kit occasionally or even after each event.  Artists do and must clean as we go. Take stock of your own practices and working now more diligently than ever to keep your working practice sanitary. 

I will post again on what you can do to keep a clean kit beyond tips you already know and employ.