Nudists are infectious just like everyone else

This post initially appeared on Science Blogs

In other words, you're more likely to catch a cold from shaking their hand than to get an STI from Sitting on the same bench.

There isn't much reason to fear getting a sexually transmitted disease from naked sitters. These infections are most commonly the result of vigorous and prolonged exposure of a person's mucous membranes, the thinner and more permeable skin found in the mouth and on the genitals. If you happened to share a seat with an infected nudist, you'd be protected both by your clothes and by your epidermis, which serves as an effective barrier against pathogens all by itself. There are a few things I like about this story:

1. Not parroting a politician's views, but actually fact-checking them.

2. Pretty good reporting on the science, complete opposite of fear mongering

3. I learned that San Francisco doesn't ban public nudity

Way to go Slate!