I heard a report on NPR this morning about scientists who've measured the amounts of bacteria and germs at various places in a couple of schools--with gross results. They found more -- lots more -- bacteria on drinking fountains and on several lunchroom trays than on most toilet seats.

NPR noted that many teachers are helping kids become better educated about disease and its causes. Some children today are even encouraged to bring anti-bacterial hand sanitizer to class with them. (What a big change from my elementary school days when I only had those stiff brown paper towels to clean up my messes).

My concern here is that adults aren't doing enough to help kids understand that not all bacteria is bad bacteria. When most antibacterial soaps and sanitizers are applied, almost all bacteria is killed. When you hear about dirty drinking fountains and lunch trays that might not sound so bad, right?

The problem is that people are using so many antibacterial products (including antibiotics prescribed by some doctors for illnesses that the drugs aren’t intended to treat) that doctors now have to use stronger and stronger medicines to treat bacterial infections. These stronger drugs also kill lots of good bacteria that live inside our bodies that help keep us healthy.

As far as the germs children encounter in schools, medical evidence proves that a good hand-washing suffices in killing most harmful bacteria.

Yes, it's gross that lunch trays are dirtier than toilet seats. But it's also gross to think of a world where serious bacterial infections can no longer be treated.

The CDC offers a Web page dedicated to action plans for combating antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. I'm going to check it out after I wash my hands. This keyboard is probably festering with germs.