FYI: Is It Safe to Walk Barefoot in New York City?
Dirty Feet AP Photo The obvious concern is that city sidewalks are dirty. And that's a valid concern, says Daniel Howell, a biologist at Liberty University in Virginia who has lived mainly shoeless for the past few years. "There's a lot of soot, so your feet get blacker than if you were in the woods," explains Howell, who has toured New York barefoot several times. But, he says, a little soot isn't bad. Surprisingly, germs aren't much of an issue. Disease-causing bacteria are on sidewalks, but getting them on your feet isn't the same as getting infected. "Bacteria typically get into your body through a wet opening, like the eyes or mouth or a cut," Howell says. "If you have an open wound on your foot, keep it bandaged. Or wear a shoe. Shoes are tools, and you should use them when needed." The key is looking where you put your feet,...