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Gas Prices---geez


darlindeb25

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darlindeb25 Collaborator

Well, here on the island, there are trains and buses, but I only live 1 mile from work--it would be a longer drive to the train station, then it is to work! :lol: Besides the fact, the train would give me a panic attack!

Yeah, I drove to Michigan for vacation, but that's how I have to travel. I tend to panic any other way. I can't fly, and bus travel would have cost me just as much as driving. I rented a compact car, the drive was a total of 1600 miles, and I spent around $200 for gas--I really don't think that was so bad, not at the prices now. Sometimes, public transit just isn't for everyone. Here on the island, it can be very rough, and very time comsuming too. In Michigan, it's not available, not where I went!


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lizard00 Enthusiast
Well, I was hesitant to post this, as some think it's not true, but heck, it IS true:

Open Original Shared Link

So there is something we can do after all, and I'd say it's only just the beginning.

I TOTALLY agree with you. BUT... have you ever seen the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car"? Really helps to see how the technology is there, the demand is there, but it is constantly stifled by those whose interest lies in the oil industry.

Jestgar Rising Star
Well, here on the island, there are trains and buses, but I only live 1 mile from work--it would be a longer drive to the train station, then it is to work! :lol: Besides the fact, the train would give me a panic attack!

You can't walk a mile? (Not meaning to sound snotty, sometimes it's just not a safe walk).

KaitiUSA Enthusiast

Don't even start me on this topic <_< It's ridiculous! I mean overnight it can change like 15 cents. But seriously, people are going to lose jobs because they will have to pay the "more important" people at the business more so they can pay the gas prices.

RiceGuy Collaborator
I TOTALLY agree with you. BUT... have you ever seen the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car"? Really helps to see how the technology is there, the demand is there, but it is constantly stifled by those whose interest lies in the oil industry.

Yes, I have looked into that more than a bit too. There are numerous technologies. Heck, there was an electric car on the market in 1922! Not just a "concept car", like they talk about these days, but nobody ever sees it. This thing was in production, and being sold. I heard about a guy who had one. It was still running thirty years later, and still went over 50 MPH. Not bad for 1922 technology. Today, our battery technology, motor technology and everything in between has improved significantly, yet where are the electric cars? As you pointed out, there are those who have a vested interest in keeping it out of our reach.

The Open Original Shared Link was featured on the Discovery channel. It could go from zero to 60 in less time than a Lamborghini, and got 300 miles out of a single charge. The suddenly, they decided to use old battery technology, reducing it to only 100 miles. Even worse, they stopped making them after only three vehicles where produced!

So now we have the Open Original Shared Link, apparently in production, but of course the price is out of sight. That basically means we still lose.

As unfortunate as it is, it seems the best option is a way to use our current vehicles with less cost, as it just isn't feasible for everyone to purchase something new. Especially when the required infrastructure simply isn't yet in place. Then over time we can transition into something better.

Another note of interest is that there was a vehicle produced in 1974 which could not only run on gasoline, but all sorts of combustible liquid fuels, including ordinary cooking oil! It got about 100 MPG too. I saw this on the Discovery channel as well. Of course, only 4 of them were produced.

Here is something we could have today:

And something we can have today:

Open Original Shared Link

I wonder if we'll actually ever see this:

Open Original Shared Link

confusedks Enthusiast

Sheesh...gas is CHEAP if you can find it for $4.00 here! :o It's crazy!

About the public transport thing...I can't do it physically. It's around 90-105 degrees on an average summer day here, plus it would waste all my energy (health problems). Not to mention, it's not very safe.

I have thought about that...but it's just not possible for me right now. <_<

lizard00 Enthusiast
Here is something we could have today:

That's pretty interesting. I wouldn't be suprised to see them on the market. While they do increase efficiency, they still require gasoline. And after all, it's the requirement that the industry is trying to secure.

And something we can have today:

Open Original Shared Link

WOW! That is quite a contraption. I guess if it gets the job done, but seems pretty far away from being practical for us all. I'm not sure my little Ion would handle having a stove attached to it... LOL :lol:

I have to give the man credit though, it's pretty impressive!

I wonder if we'll actually ever see this:

Open Original Shared Link

I'm doubtful of that. Anyway that we can produce something on our own just doesn't seem likely. Who would benefit? It would be great, less than a buck per gallon. But someone somewhere is going to make it so it has to be regulated.

The truth is, and we all know it, that oil is not a replenishable energy source. And the industry that controls it is going to get every dime it possibly can out of it. It has made many a man rich and will continue to. The people that control the oil fields, the supply to individual stations and the pricing itself are out only to make a buck, and that is exactly what they are doing. We have cars that continue to rely on gas for a purpose. Even hybrids require gas; maybe considerably less, but nonetheless, it is a requirement. So, when our energy source runs out, whenever that may be, suddenly this technology will have been "fine tuned" and "safe enough" to be widely available. I just don't think it will be before then.


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darlindeb25 Collaborator
You can't walk a mile? (Not meaning to sound snotty, sometimes it's just not a safe walk).

There are some days that I could walk the distance--it is a little more than a mile, and I have walked it, when my car was in the shop. I do have peripheral neuropathy, with drop foot effecting my left foot, and I could walk it, if I had too, but, I don't have too. Walking that distance to work some days would cause me pain, I also may not beable to walk it back home, then I would have to ask for a ride. Most of the distance is safe enough for walking, just one street would be a danger at times to cross. I'm 52 yrs old, I work hard for my money, I shouldn't have to walk to work, not unless I want too, and I don't want too. I am not trying to sound snotty either, just saying how I feel!

Jestgar Rising Star
There are some days that I could walk the distance--it is a little more than a mile, and I have walked it, when my car was in the shop. I do have peripheral neuropathy, with drop foot effecting my left foot, and I could walk it, if I had too, but, I don't have too. Walking that distance to work some days would cause me pain, I also may not beable to walk it back home, then I would have to ask for a ride. Most of the distance is safe enough for walking, just one street would be a danger at times to cross. I'm 52 yrs old, I work hard for my money, I shouldn't have to walk to work, not unless I want too, and I don't want too. I am not trying to sound snotty either, just saying how I feel!

:) Can't argue with wanting to enjoy your life. There are things I do that are environmentally inappropriate, but they sure make my life easier.

gfgypsyqueen Enthusiast

Not to stir the pot too much here...but doesn't anyone see the need to force the car manufacturers to make the cars we NEED and WANT? The technology is there. I want a car that can fit my family & pets, fit my needs (light tow), but get a minimum of 35-45 mpg. Really I want better mileage than that! Why is it even an option to buy one of the many cars on the market that barely get 25 mpg? Let alone the trucks and SUVs that don't get 15mpg! I'm pretty sure my parents cars got 12 mpg back in the 70's. Maybe someone who was driving then knows better.

The gas companies have us cornered, we need gas for these cars, trucks, buses, planes, etc. to get around. The gas companies will get their profits. From what I've heard the gas stations don't make much on a gallon of gas. They make their money on the drinks and snacks we buy in the store. Why can't we as consumers demand better quality cars that get great gas mileage or use alternative fuels at a good price?

home-based-mom Contributor
Not to stir the pot too much here...but doesn't anyone see the need to force the car manufacturers to make the cars we NEED and WANT? The technology is there. I want a car that can fit my family & pets, fit my needs (light tow), but get a minimum of 35-45 mpg. Really I want better mileage than that! Why is it even an option to buy one of the many cars on the market that barely get 25 mpg? Let alone the trucks and SUVs that don't get 15mpg! I'm pretty sure my parents cars got 12 mpg back in the 70's. Maybe someone who was driving then knows better.

The gas companies have us cornered, we need gas for these cars, trucks, buses, planes, etc. to get around. The gas companies will get their profits. From what I've heard the gas stations don't make much on a gallon of gas. They make their money on the drinks and snacks we buy in the store. Why can't we as consumers demand better quality cars that get great gas mileage or use alternative fuels at a good price?

My mom's sister drove a huge 1960 Ford that got 20 mpg. It just amazes me how corporate greed has made things get worse for the consumer, not better.

There was a major gas crunch in the 70's - gas stations actually ran out of gas and rationed it. The American car makers just kept making full sized gas guzzlers, reasoning that people would keep buying them because there was nothing else. They were wrong. The Japanese car makers took the approach of manufacturing what the people wanted instead of forcing the people to buy what was already available. The automobile industry has never been the same.

You are right about gas station profits. There is a very nice Chaldean family that runs a gas station down the street from where I live. They were once affiliated with ARCO, but got so scr***d over by ARCO that they went independent. Sometimes they have good prices and sometimes they don't, but either way, they are struggling. There are other independent stations in the area that are in the same boat. I think they are just hoping they can last long enough to ride this out. It's a shame.

And yes, I think there should be fuel efficient vehicles into which you can put the entire family comfortably. If you have several kids plus grandparents (not uncommon) you just need something bigger, and it needs to get much better mileage - or be electric.

kenlove Rising Star

Thanks for posting this, it's pretty interesting. There are a number of people here who have converted their cars to run on old restaurant oil. With gas at 4.15 for the cheapest, I suspect a number of others will be doing it. Since we have no sidewalks or shoulders in most places, walking and bikes can be dangerous. Nice to know there are others working on alternatives.

Well, I was hesitant to post this, as some think it's not true, but heck, it IS true:

Open Original Shared Link

So there is something we can do after all, and I'd say it's only just the beginning.

Guest AutumnE

UGH! Gas is one thing I hate right now. I spend over $100.00 in a four day work week. We have no choice in that matter as we live in the country, no one lives anywhere near us to carpool, this is foreclosure city here so no other jobs available locally, and real estate market is horrible and nothing is selling. We spend about $40 more than we did before the gas hikes each week. Enviroment effect, pish posh, I have a very reduced carbon footprint just from being vegan, I figure I can get away with a little extra gas.

We are making it but we live cheap, very cheap, in a tiny house to spend the extra money. Thank goodness for the stimulus checks and tax returns to get us through the extra cost we spend each week.

debmidge Rising Star

While I agree that gas prices are high, I seem to recall that this happened during 1970's when gas prices were about half of a minimum wage hour..... I do not recall what min. wage is now but it seems to me that we are repeating the 1970's.

My viewpoint is that wages are not keeping up with the economy. Overall wages for average USA Americans have been compressed ....people probably should be making 20% higher than they are currently making in order to be able to support their families in the same fashion as people did during the let's say 1950's and 1960's. If you will recall, during the 1960's and even early 1970's young people were able to "work their way through college" - maybe with a little parental money help, but young people

worked part time jobs and had cars to boot. No young person today can work and make enough money part time to put themselves through those same colleges which young people did during those past years.

I digress, but I can foresee the possible re-emergence of labor unions to protect workers from abuse and low wages and higher taxes for companies who outsource to overseas. Our govt. is not protecting us from this aggressive/abusive system. Gosh, I can't believe I am saying stuff like this because I am a conservative and always as pro-business, but now I'm looking at this situation from a workers' point of view and I don't like what I am seeing. I feel if the economy gets any worse, people will be moving in with their relatives just like how the people in 3rd world nations do it. Families will double up. No one except the rich will be able to afford to live on their own.

So I have to say yes, gas is high, but wages need to be increased overall as a hedge against rising

costs.

If you can do public transportion - go for it - but it's not for everyone, nor is it logistically or physically possible for everyone.

This is just my opinion

rkd Rookie

Yes, prices are totally out of control at the grocery store and gas station-- gas is $3.97 here in Lodi, California (near Sacramento)...disgusting...

blueeyedmanda Community Regular

Gas went to 3.85 here yesterday!

Ridgewalker Contributor
My husband and I have discussed him taking the bus, except there's not one that leaves early enough to get him to work. When we tried to plan it out, our options were get up and 1:30am and walk, or get to work an hour and half late.... needless to say our public transit system has room for improvement.

Yeah, and that's RALEIGH, the capital of NC. The rural areas, like where I live-- forget about it. NC is called "The Roadwork State," from the constant crews repairing and building new roads and highways... but the public transportation system is nearly nonexistent.

And of course, everyone in the rural areas commute. There are no other options. My dad commutes to Charlotte (2 1/2 hours EACH way,) my husband commutes to Greensboro (1 hour each way.) There are three types of jobs you can get in our area: grocery/gas station clerk, fast food, or school system. Anything else, and you're going to commute.

The price of gas has quadrupled here since I got married in 2000. When you have no choice but to pay it, you have to cut back elsewhere... And a lot of people already don't have extras. So the only place to cut back is on groceries... which are also rising rapidly in price, at least here.

It makes me want to puke when I hear people on the news say, "Well, Americans are addicted to oil, European prices are even higher," or "Americans are addicted to their big cars."

Well, guess what, if I could afford a more fuel efficient vehicle, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Duh.

If I could afford to buy all new energy-efficient appliances, I would do so.

If the schools and stores were within walking distance (they're not, by MILES) I'd be hoofing it.

If America had nationwide public transport, like other countries, we'd darn well be using it!!!

<_<

lizard00 Enthusiast
NC is called "The Roadwork State," from the constant crews repairing and building new roads and highways... but the public transportation system is nearly nonexistent.

I am laughing so hard right now!!! That is so true. If they would spend a fraction of what they spent on repairing I-40... twice, because it wasn't done right the FIRST time, we might be half way up to date with a public transit. I spent a few weeks in Portland, OR who proudly brags that they have the best public transit in the country. I spend a few days in the Bay Area of CA, they had a pretty good public transit there. Philly, Atlanta, the list goes on. I'm not expecting at this point to be up to par with these places, but they provide a great model for what we could be striving to achieve. The roads need to stay in repair, but money is truly wasted. What happened to all the revenue the lottery was bringing in? And aren't we supposed to have one of the highest gas tax rates in the country... where's all that money going??

Ridgewalker Contributor
I am laughing so hard right now!!! That is so true. If they would spend a fraction of what they spent on repairing I-40... twice, because it wasn't done right the FIRST time, we might be half way up to date with a public transit. I spent a few weeks in Portland, OR who proudly brags that they have the best public transit in the country. I spend a few days in the Bay Area of CA, they had a pretty good public transit there. Philly, Atlanta, the list goes on. I'm not expecting at this point to be up to par with these places, but they provide a great model for what we could be striving to achieve. The roads need to stay in repair, but money is truly wasted. What happened to all the revenue the lottery was bringing in? And aren't we supposed to have one of the highest gas tax rates in the country... where's all that money going??

Exactly!!! There are roads out here in the boonies that get repaved every year! It's a ridiculous waste of money. And the highways... Oh Lord... I-40, 77, 52... Constant, nonstop roadwork for years, over the same areas again and again.

I know we have the highest gas tax in the southeast, by a long shot. Not sure about the rest of the country. You know, I love Hillary Clinton, but when she talked about suspending the federal gas tax for the summer, I laughed. The NC gas tax is triple the federal tax!

home-based-mom Contributor
If America had nationwide public transport, like other countries, we'd darn well be using it!!!

<_<

Years ago Amtrak was threatening to cut several under-utilized passenger routes in Montana. They held the obligatory public hearing and people actually showed up to protest. The Amtrak representative welcomed them and asked just one question:

How many of you took the train to get here?

No one did.

The routes were cut.

UR Groovy Explorer

San Diego - $4.19 was the cheapest I saw today - this was the cash only price at the cheapest station. Of the 5 stations I saw, the highest for Regular Unleaded was $4.33 - keeping in mind that it's San Diego & that it's Memorial Day weekend.

No political stuff here - I was just kind of blown away - oh, and I'm down to 1/4 tank right now, so I'm going to have to get gas soon. :huh:

kenlove Rising Star

Filled my truck this morning at $4.23-9 in Kona. $4.33 in the center of our island.

San Diego - $4.19 was the cheapest I saw today - this was the cash only price at the cheapest station. Of the 5 stations I saw, the highest for Regular Unleaded was $4.33 - keeping in mind that it's San Diego & that it's Memorial Day weekend.

No political stuff here - I was just kind of blown away - oh, and I'm down to 1/4 tank right now, so I'm going to have to get gas soon. :huh:

celiacsucks Rookie

I know! My dad just barely bought a motorcycle, because he has a huge Diesel and it comes to about $500/month to keep it full and running! He owns a business, so he has to have something to pull a trailer around. So he got a motorcycle for about $3000 and it only costs him about $15 to fill the tank! The tank is 5 gal. so he gets about 200 miles per tank. Just today one of my much older friends told me at church that he bought a scooter(The kind you see on streets) for $300 (three-hundred) flat and he said that he gets 100 mpg and it only costs him $10 to fill up. That's a 2 gal. tank, but it still gets him around for low prices, and that's pretty much all he does is stay in the city. So there's a suggestion, get a bike, but make sure that it's in good condition and gets good MPG.

-Austin Dickey

darlindeb25 Collaborator

Yeah, here on the East Coast, it's up to $4.19-4.35 a gallon too--they are saying average on the island is $4.15. Yesterday, they said there were 260,000 people at Jones Beach, over 400,000 Sat and Sun, a record breaker, just because of the gas prices and people not leaving the island. I wanted to take my daughter to Fire Island today, I'm thinking maybe not now. Both of us hate crowds and that is a CROWD!!! What's sad is, there is no excuse for these high prices. They told the profit margins for the big oil companies a few weeks ago, and they are really making big bucks off of us!!! When will it end!!!

kenlove Rising Star

Just found this site which gives gas prices by zip code.

Open Original Shared Link

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      Sorry for the long post. I’m 18, and I was diagnosed with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes (T1D). My transglutaminase IgA was >128 U/mL, EMA IgA positive twice, and I’m HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 positive. I’ve been completely asymptomatic since diagnosis, even when I cheated with gluten sometimes in the past and used to eat out(2-5 years ago) I don’t get the typical celiac reactions, which makes it really hard to know when (or if) I’ve been glutened. But for the past year, I’ve been the most strict with my diet, and that’s also when a bunch of new issues started. I eat completely glutenfree, never eat out, dont eat food that says „may contain gluten“.   Current Health Problems • Floating, undigested stools for over a year now. Dont think its related to celiac as it was like this since im 17 and not 13-16( i got diagnosed at 13). • Chronic back pain started gradually, worsens with movement, lots of cracking/popping sounds. Been ongoing for a year now. First noticed in the gym. • Abdominal bulge on the right side, not painful but seems to be getting slightly bigger. Doctor didn’t find a hernia on ultrasound, but it was done lying down (I’ve read those can miss hernias). Noticed it like 6 months ago, couldve been there longer. • extremely dry and mildly swollen hands (this started before I started excessive hand-washing), and bloated face. • Signs of inattentive ADHD (noticed over the past 3 years), now combined with severe OCD focused on contamination and cross-contact. • Growth/puberty seemed to started after going gluten-free. Before that I was not developing. Dont know if any of these are because of celiac as my dad doesnt have those and he is a lot less strict gluten-free then me. I also had pancreatic elastase tested four times: values were 46 (very low), 236, 158, and 306 (normal). Gastroenterologist said one normal value is enough and I don’t have EPI. Family doctor prescribed Kreon anyway (after I pushed for it), and I just started taking 1 capsule (10,000 units) with meals 2 days ago, but couldn‘t see effects yet because I’ve been constipated the last few days. Maybe because of thyroid. I don’t have Hashimoto’s. No thyroid antibodies. But I took levothyroxine for slightly low FT4 levels. My thyroid levels fluctuated between borderline low and low-normal. And recently lowered my dose so that may have caused the constipating. I probably didn’t need it in the first place, and am thinking about stopping it soon.   Current Diet Right now, I only eat a very limited set of “safe” foods I prepare myself: • Gluten-free bread with tuna or cheese • Milk and cornflakes • gluten-free cookies/snacks • Bananas (the only fruit I trust right now) I rarely eat other fruits or vegetables, because I’m scared of contamination. My dad, who also has celiac but doesn’t care about CC, buys fruits, and he might’ve picked them up right after handling gluten bread. That makes me feel unsafe eating them. Even fruit at stores or markets feels risky because so many people with gluten on their hands touch them.   My Home Situation (Shared Kitchen) We’re a family of 5. Only my dad and I have celiac. He eats glutenfree but doesn’t care about CC and sometimes (but rarely) cheats. My mom and siblings eat gluten bread at every meal. My mom is honest (so if i ask her to be cautious, she most likely would try to), but doesn’t seem to understand how serious celiac is. She: • Stopped using gluten flour • only cooks gluten-free meals (but they still heat up gluten bread and also cook gluten noodles) • Keeps separate butter/jam/jars for me • Bought me a stainless steel pan Bu we didn’t replace old wooden utensils, cutting boards, or other pans. The new they bought me pan was even carried home in a shopping bag with gluten bread in it, which triggered my OCD. It also has a rubber handle and I’m scared it might still hold onto gluten. Even if it’s washed well, it’s stored next to other pans that were used for gluten food/bread. Our kitchen table is used for eating gluten bread daily. My mom wipes it but not with soap. I’m scared tiny particles remain. If she made gluten-free bread dough on a board at the table, I’d still worry about cross contmaination contamination even with something under the dough and on the table as at one point the dough would probably touch the table. So I stopped eating anything she makes.   I know OCD is making it worse, but I can’t tell how much of my fear is real and how much is anxiety. Examples: • I wash my hands 20–30 times a day — before eating, after touching anything at home or outside, after using my phone/laptop. • I don’t let others touch my phone, and I’m scared to use my laptop because friends at school or my brother (who eat gluten) have touched it. And it annoys me a lot when others touch my stuff and feels like it got contaminated and is unsafe instantly. • I stopped eating while using my phone or laptop, afraid of invisible gluten being on them. • I wash my hands after opening food packaging (since it was on store cashier belts where gluten food is placed). • I avoid sitting anywhere except my bed or one clean chair. • I won’t shake hands with anyone or walk past people eating gluten. • At school, when switching classes, I wash my hands before getting out my laptop, again before opening it, etc. • I open door knobs with my elbows instead my hands   Job Concerns (Powder Coating, Sandblasting, Etc.) I’m working a temporary job right now that involves: • Powder coating • Sandblasting • Wet spray painting • Anodizing There’s also a laboratory. I don’t need this job, and my OCD makes me believe that dust or air particles there might contain gluten somehow. Should I quit?   Doctors Haven’t Helped My family doctor told me: “Asymptomatic celiac isn’t serious, if you have no symptoms, your intestines won’t get damaged, so you don’t need a gluten-free diet.” I knew that was wrong, but he wasn’t open to listening. I just nodded and didn‘t argue. My gastroenterologist (who’s also a dietitian) said: „If your antibodies are negative, there’s no damage. It might even be okay to try small amounts of gluten later if antibodies stay negative.“ Also said, pepper that says “may contain gluten” is fine if it only contains pepper. She was more informed than my family doctor but didn’t seem to fully understand celiac either.   Questions I Need Help With 1. Is it realistically safe to eat food my mom cooks, if we get separate pans/ and boards even if gluten is still used in the same kitchen? There will always be low risk of cc chances like that she will still touch stuff that was touched by her and my siblings after they ate gluten. And as there are gluten eaters in the house and she also prepares and eats gluten. So would opening the fridge then getting the food and touching the food be okay? So basically what i am doing, washing my hands multiple times while preparing food, she would only wash it once before, then touch anything else (for example water tap or handles) that were touched with gluteny hands, then also touch the food. I dont know if I ever could feel safe, I could try telling her how important cc really is. And I trust her so she wouldnt lie to me then be careless about cc, but idk how safe it really can be if she and everyone else keeps eating gluten and touching stuff in the house after eating. 2. Do I need to worry about touching doorknobs, fridge handles, light switches, etc. that family members touched after eating gluten? What about public places like bus handles or school desks? Or like if i went to the gym, I would be touching stuff all the time, so there will be small amounts of gluten and those would get transferred on my phone if I touch my phone while in the gym. But I want to knos if it would be enough to do damage. 3. Is an endoscopy (without biopsy) enough to tell if my intestines are healed? I’d pay privately if it could help and if i dont get a refferal. Or do i need a biopsy? 4. Could my job (powder coating, sandblasting, etc.) expose me to gluten or damage my intestines through air/dust? 5. Do I need certified gluten-free toothpaste, hand soap, shampoo, or moisturizer? (For example: Vaseline and Colgate don’t contain gluten ingredients but say they can’t guarantee it’s gluten-free.) 6. Is spices like pepper with “may contain traces of gluten” safe if no gluten ingredients are listed? Or does everything need to be labeled gluten-free?  7. Is continuing to only eat my own food the better choice, or could I eventually go back to eating what my mom cooks if she’s careful? 8. is cutlery from dishwasher safe if there are stains? Stuff like knives is used for cutting gluten bread or fork for noodles etc. I often see stains which i dont know if its gluten or something else but our dish washer doesnt seem to make it completely clean. 9. I wash my hands multiple times while preparing food. Do i need to do the same when touching my phone. Like if i touch the fridge handle, I wash my hands then touch the phone. I dont eat while using my phone but i leave it on my bed and pillow and my face could come in contact with where it was.  10. Do i need to clean my phone or laptop if theyve been used by people who eat gluten? Even if no crumbs fall onto my keybaord, i mean because of invisible gluten on their fingers. 11. Does medication/supplements have to be strictly glutenfree? One company said they couldn‘t guarantee if their probiotics don’t contain traces of gluten.  12. I had bought supplements in the past, some of them say glutenfree and some of them dont(like the brand „NOW“ from iherb). I bought them and used them when i wasnt washing my hands so often, are they still safe? As I touched and opened them after touching door knobs, water taps etc. It was like a year ago when i bought those and even though i was eating gluten-free, I never worried about what i touch etc. I know this post is long. I’m just extremely overwhelmed. I’m trying to protect myself from long-term health damage, but the OCD is destroying my quality of life, and I honestly don’t know what’s a reasonable level of caution anymore. Thanks for reading.
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