Maybe Naomi has a point! Revolting passenger uses his TOES to swipe through in-flight entertainment touch-screen

  • Alafair Burke, from New York, shared the clip of the passenger on the plane
  • Passenger appears to use his bare feet to swipe through in-flight entertainment
  • Man in front row points toes to scroll through films he could watch while flying 
  • Clip viewed 4.2 million times, with thousands of Twitter users shaming man
  • Comes as Naomi Campbell said she wipes down entire area around her on flights

By Harriet Johnston For Mailonline

Published: 06:19 EDT, 16 July 2019 | Updated: 07:52 EDT, 16 July 2019

Twitter has gone wild after a clip of a plane passenger using his bare feet to swipe through the in-flight entertainment went viral.

Crime writer Alafair Burke, from New York, shared the clip on Twitter last night, which shows an unidentifiable man resting his bare feet on the partition in front of him and using his toes to swipe through in-flight entertainment.

Seemingly undecided on what he would like to watch, the man pointed his toe and scrolled through the selection of films before resting it on the partition again.

The clip, which has now been viewed over 4.2 million times, has sparked horror for many viewers, with some taking to Twitter to shame the man. 

It comes as supermodel Naomi Campbell revealed that she avoid germs on flights by wearing a surgical mask, and using anti-bacterial wipes to clean her entire seating area every time she flies. 

Alafair Burke, from New York, revealed she was sent the clip by a friend sat a few rows behind the passenger

Alafair Burke, from New York, revealed she was sent the clip by a friend sat a few rows behind the passenger

It comes as Naomi Campbell revealed whenever she takes a flight she brings a surgical mask, disposable gloves and anti-bacterial wipes to avoid germs

It comes as Naomi Campbell revealed whenever she takes a flight she brings a surgical mask, disposable gloves and anti-bacterial wipes to avoid germs

One posted: 'This is exactly why Naomi Cambell wipes everything down she touches on a plane. I'm following her advice because these people are nasty.'

While another commented: 'This is the most disturbing thing I've seen on Twitter.' 

New York Times best-selling author Alafair revealed that she hadn't been on the flight herself, but was sharing it on behalf of a friend who had witnessed the scene. 

Posting the clip, she said: 'My friend who doesn’t have Twitter sent this from her flight. It belongs on Twitter.'

The now viral clip shows the passenger in the front row of a section of seats, resting their bare feet on the plane partition and swiping through the in-flight entertainment with their toes

The now viral clip shows the passenger in the front row of a section of seats, resting their bare feet on the plane partition and swiping through the in-flight entertainment with their toes 

Twitter was left horrified, with one person calling it 'the most disturbing thing' they'd ever seen on the site

Twitter was left horrified, with one person calling it 'the most disturbing thing' they'd ever seen on the site 

She added: 'The photographer confirms that she saw him walk on and off the plane, carrying his own bag. He just likes to watch TV with his bare feet.'

The passenger, who appeared to be travelling at the front of a section of seats on the plane, stretched their legs straight out in front of them, resting their bare feet on either side of their small screen.

It comes as supermodel Naomi Campbell revealed she brings a surgical mask, disposable gloves and anti-bacterial wipes on every flight to avoid germs. 

She then cleanses the entire area around her seat — everything from the table and TV screen to the headrest, seatbelt, and the back of the seat in front.  

NAOMI'S ROUTINE: OVER THE TOP OR A GOOD WAY TO AVOID GERMS ON A FLIGHT?

With an aeroplane's enclosed space, recycled air and spluttering passengers, many people complain of feeling under the weather after a flight. 

However, planes may not be crawling with bacteria and viruses as much as people think, with air filters helping to keep out dangerous pathogens. 

Dr Abinash Virk, an infectious-disease expert at the Mayo Clinic, answers whether supermodel Naomi Campbell's routine is over the top or just common sense.

Anti-bacterial wipes

Passengers use tray tables for everything from eating and reading to even resting their heads on while they try and catch some shut eye.

This makes these fold-down plastic trays one of the most germ-ridden places on an aeroplane, Dr Virk told Frommer's.

And Katherine Harmon, director of health intelligence at the risk-management company iJet warns busy cabin crew may just pick up rubbish, without disinfecting, Yahoo reported.

Dr Nicholas Testa, chief physician executive at the southwest division of CommonSpirit Health, agreed, telling ABC News: 'The flu virus will live on a hard surface for about 24 hours.

'They don’t have time to wipe every single tray station. So intrinsically the bathroom is cleaner'.

Dr Virk therefore recommends passengers use an alcohol wipe over the trays to kill any lingering germs. 

However, Dr Frank Contacessa, an internist at Westchester Health, New York, takes it one step further and recommends we avoid using the tray table altogether.

He told The Points Guy: 'Don’t use the tray table and if you really have to, make sure you carry sanitary wipes with you and clean it before you use it.'

Disposable gloves

Germaphobes could wipe down every surface or even wear disposable gloves a la Naomi.

However, Dr Virk insists simply washing your hands with soap and water, or using a sanitiser, will be sufficient to keep you germ-free while in flight.

Mask

Naomi's mask may seem over-the-top, however, one medic called it a 'good idea'. 

Dr Nathan Favini, medical lead at the healthcare start-up Forward, said: 'Respiratory viruses are the most common cause of illness while traveling and are transmitted through the air.

'It’s a good idea to carry a mask to protect yourself if you sit near someone who has symptoms of a respiratory infection.'

However, some studies suggest masks are only effective if worn by an infected person, rather than as a preventative measure by a healthy passenger. 

Seat cover 

While countless of infected passengers may have sat in your seat before you, Dr Virk stresses the risk of catching something from the chair is low.

This is because your clothes act as a barrier between you and the cushion. 

And don't worry about the arm rests either.

'Unless you have a skin break, you're not going to pick up anything from here,' Dr Virk said. 

The medic admits, however, he does not put his hand all the way in the seat-back pocket in front of him.

'This isn't based on a study but I don't know what's down there,' he said. 

Twitter users were left horrified by the clip, which shows the passenger using their bare feet to swipe through the in-flight entertainment
At one stage the passenger uses his toe to scroll through the plane's selection of films

Twitter users were left horrified by the clip, which shows the passenger using their bare feet to swipe through the in-flight entertainment

Alafair added that her friend confirmed the passenger had walked onto the plane carrying his own bag

Alafair added that her friend confirmed the passenger had walked onto the plane carrying his own bag

'This is what I do on every plane I get on,' she explained. 'I do not care what people think of me. It's my health and it makes me feel better.'

She also brings her own seat cover, which she gets hand-washed at her hotel, and masks up to 'protect' herself. 'No matter what plane you take, private or commercial, people start coughing and sneezing and it makes me . . . I just can't.' 

Twitter users were horrified by the now viral clip, with many responding with shock at the man's actions. 

One wrote:'People in first class look at me crazy for wiping down everything. This is exactly why. Yuck.'

'I really look down on people who wipe everything down as fussy and overly concerned about germ exposure which is both unavoidable and necessary. And right now, seeing this, I realize how wrong I’ve been,' one added. 

Other Twitter users were left stunned by the video clip, with many suggesting they would be 'wiping down everything' on future flights

Other Twitter users were left stunned by the video clip, with many suggesting they would be 'wiping down everything' on future flights 

Another commented: 'The next passenger in that seat will get athlete's mouth.' 

Another user posted: 'If this person was sitting next to me he would be crawling off the plane.' 

'I don't like to fly because I don't like the smell of strangers,' another revealed. 'If this happened in my presence I think I would open the side door and jump out.'

One tweeted: 'Good. Lord. WHY are people like this?! What has happened to public decency and decorum?!'

Another simply added: 'I would go to prison for life if I saw this happen.'  

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Twitter goes wild over plane passenger who uses his BARE FEET to swipe through TV

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