Are we being too clean?

This E Coli problem must be frightening parents all over the country, with experts giving advice and scientists trying to help.

This E Coli problem must be frightening parents all over the country, with experts giving advice and scientists trying to help.

The other day, I was recalling my childhood and that of my own offspring. I doubt that there's anyone who was brought up in Exmouth who has not visited Long's Farm and spent many happy hours there; or gone to the beach for the day with only a towel and a pack of sarnies and a bottle of pop. Did any of us go down with E Coli? I don't believe so.

Could it be that children these days don't get the opportunity to build up natural immunities to every day nasties? There's an element of common sense in the old saying "Eat a peck of dirt before you die". Cleanliness is important, but it is not the be all and end all of existing.

Maybe parents are overdoing the wipes?

Ann Prior,

75 Egremont Road,

Exmouth.