Our Modern Germaphobic Ways may be Making Us Sick

As the essay says, should we “Invite Some Germs to Dinner?”  At the book club last evening we had a nice discussion of Maugham’s “The Painted Veil”.  The germ in question was cholera, one that we definitely want to stay away from.  That’s no problem in the USA.  But are we staying away from too many germs, thus not developing robust immune systems as we age?  Are children playing in dirt piles healthier?  Can food exposure be used to treat allergies? No one really knows all the answers, but it’s an interesting discussion and food for thought (no pun intended of course).