t’Serclaes, a germy nest!

Touching t’Serclaes, even very quickly, has brought more than just good luck to a number of tourists…. That’s what four different tour operators have told authorities.

After alerts of the situation, hygiene authorities analyzed samples from the resin statue. The results are quite frightening. According to Dr. Simon Blague, expert on infectious disease, the results showed a very high concentration of staphylococcus, E. coli, and strains of strep. The arm on the statue has subsequently served as a breeding and transmission ground for bacteria. His colleague Pierre Jeuxdemots offers a simplified explanation: Touching this statue one time can contaminate you. Your choice: a variety of flu strains.

Many embassies have already issued a warning message to their nationals, advising to not touch this Brussels statue. Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have sent out a number of warning messages related to Belgium.

Disinfecting soap dispensers

The municipal magistrate Coomans de Brachène has recognized and informed us about the problem for several days now. The Service for Urbanism and Heritage of the City has moved into action. Since this morning, two antibacterial soap dispensers were put at the corner of the Grand Place and Rue Charles Buls. This temporary solution was enacted very quickly: It was unimaginable to prohibit people touching the city’s lucky charm. It would be like if tourists couldn’t throw coins into the Trevi fountain in Rome.

Once the resin copy is replaced by a metal one, the germ problem will be history. For example, the Monkey statue in Mons and the boy climbing a wall statue, the “Maca,” in Brabant are both covered with a thin layer of antibacterial. It’s active for 32 hours and will also be used on t’Serclaes. Three applications will be administered every day.