Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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A realistic rocking-horse mascot in a “ROCKERS” jersey sits on a stadium bench, eating popcorn. The costume features lifelike horse details and hoof-like hands. A sunny ballgame crowd fills the background, capturing a playful yet convincing scene of mascot fun during a baseball game.

790. Eating From a Bag of Popcorn After Hype the Mascot Has “Eaten” From It

June 27, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating from a bag of popcorn that a sports team mascot has touched with their costumed hand,

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

  • High Point Rockers | Baseball Team | Mascot HYPE
  • High Point Rockers Mascot on Facebook
  • Salmonella Oranienburg Isolated from Horses, Wild Turkeys and An Edible Home Garden Fertilized with Raw Horse Manure - Jay‐Russell - 2014 - Zoonoses and Public Health - Wiley Online Library
  • An analysis of human pathogens found in horse/mule manure along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon and Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks - PubMed


June 27, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Mascot, Costume, Popcorn

DALL·E Pot on the stove half filled with popcorn in the style of Edward Hoppers Highthawks

436. Zach's Day Old Breakfast Popcorn

March 24, 2023 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving buttered popcorn with spices at room temperature overnight.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

  • Leftover food triggered disease that left teen without legs, fingers
  • Case Challenge — A 19-Year-Old Man with Shock, Multiple Organ Failure, and Rash — NEJM
  • 20-Year-Old Dies Of 'Fried Rice Syndrome' After Eating 5-Day-Old Pasta | KFI AM 640
  • Sudden Death of a Young Adult Associated with Bacillus cereus Food Poisoning - PMC
  • What Is Tajin Seasoning? How Do You Use It?
March 24, 2023 /Don Schaffner
Popcorn, Butter, Time temperature control for safety

373. Sharing Popcorn With a Fox

October 28, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sharing popcorn with a fox.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • The Text of Green Eggs and Ham
  • Isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) in northern Italy - PMC
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases - PMC
  • What Would the Fox Say lyrics
October 28, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Fox, Cross-contamination, Popcorn

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