[MR] Fighter Sanitation re: Waterbearing

[scribe0002 at aol.com]

Greetings to the lists from Gisela in Sacred Stone,

Given the discussion on the Merry Rose and so many other venues of the 
SCA about the change to the Waterbearing Offices and Guilds in the 
Society, I wanted to mention an experience I had this weekend.

I occasionally help with waterbearing at events. In the last two weeks 
I've been to two events in the East where I helped and both were 
incredibly hot days.

At one event, not a single fighter who took drink from my hand placed 
the straw or mouth of the bottle in their own mouths with one exception 
. . . a new fighter who was corrected by everyone with him.

"Don't do that! Squirt, don't suck, dude. I don't want to drink your 
backwash!"

Another added, "And what misses and runs down your face and neck will 
cool you the h3!! down."

And another added ominously, "Besides, Raven'll kill you if she catches 
you." (Raven is the head of the Waterbearers' Guild in the East. Think 
Morwenna only shorter and Italian. Bulldog instead of Doberman. Just as 
serious with just as many teeth.)

At the next event, three different fighters, all experienced fighters, 
popped the straw or pop-top right into their mouths to drink. Done 
before I had a chance to say anything. Hadn't thought I'd need to watch 
whitebelts, for goshsake. Each time I took the nearly full water 
bottles off the field and it took longer for others to get drinks 
because of the thoughtless (not malicious, just not thinking) actions 
of these gentlemen.

Raven uses a system similar to what you'd find in a bar or restaurant, 
setting up tubs with sanitizer tablets, cleaning bottles and caps 
between uses regardless. I know Morwenna's procedures are also 
stringent and that she teaches those waterbearers who work with her to 
not reuse a bottle that's been in someone's mouth. Ask her about the 
8-year-old who dressed down a knight for putting lips to bottle someday.

Still, in this day of incredibly dangerous contagions and food-born 
bacteria that resist all medical treatment, why do some folks still 
think it's ok to have contact while drinking from a common container?

Please, folks, make an effort to break yourself of this habit if you 
have it. Encourage others to change their habits. If you have no 
concern for your own health, consider others' . . . and consider the 
efforts of those bringing refreshment to you and the extra steps you 
cause them when they're performing their service conscientiously.

Be well, play hard, drink often and Squirt, dude!

~gise