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# Germs

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Digital only | 1 year | $20 | TIME, August 2026 |
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| Attribute | Value | Source |
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| Editor-in-Chief | Sam Jacobs | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
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TIME digital-only is $20 for one year. Print and digital is from $29 for one year, or $49 for two years. Both plans can be cancelled at any time. Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent.

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Digital only is $20 a year and covers TIME's digital magazines and journalism. Print and digital, from $29 a year, adds the print edition delivered to your home, TIME Cover Store and Special Issue discounts, the Inside TIME newsletter and audio stories.

#### Is TIME a reliable news source?

TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923. Its journalism is reported and edited by a professional newsroom led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with named correspondents on politics, climate, health, technology and culture. It reaches 1 million US print subscribers and 1.15 million globally, plus more than 1.1 million newsletter readers.

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Follow Germs  


## Germs


* ![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca045c60aebcaf79/6aa8088b3ffea4f3b9d2d2af/GettyImages-2162795440.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Sep 14, 2026  
## [Why You Should Never Wear Shoes in Your House](https://time.com/article/2026/09/14/why-you-should-never-wear-shoes-in-the-house/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Jeffrey Kluger
* ![Hotel room](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt52d639848c227b3c/6988fabffb4eac6ec2895942/hotel-room-dirty-spots-germs-virus.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Feb 13, 2018  
## [These Are the Dirtiest Places in Your Hotel Room](https://time.com/5135121/dirty-hotel-rooms-germs/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Abigail Abrams
* ![Woman's hand holding US banknotes](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt67045ad963c536ee/6988db800b72e313726ef2f8/money-dirty-hands-microbes.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Sep 6, 2017  
## [Here's How Dirty Your Money Really Is](https://time.com/4918626/money-germs-microbes-dirty/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Abigail Abrams
* ![handwashing-cold-water](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3b1d1e810c508bde/6988cfb5fb4eac9de1892412/handwashing-cold-water.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jun 1, 2017  
## [Washing Hands In Cold Water Works As Well As Hot Against Germs](https://time.com/4800412/wash-hands-cold-water/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Amanda MacMillan
* ![longevity-sleep-cure-erik-madigan-heck](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte33015390febdc4a/6988ba93196cf41cbb03ee45/longevity-sleep-cure-erik-madigan-heck.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Feb 24, 2017  
## [This Week in Health: Cheat Death, Lose Weight, Do Pilates](https://time.com/4682455/health-aging-sleep-pilates/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Mandy Oaklander  
* ![The iconic red rectangular TIME logo with the word 'TIME' in white, bold, uppercase serif letters.](/images/missing-image-1x1.svg)  
Feb 22, 2017  
## [You Asked: Does Washing My Clothes Kill All the Germs?](https://time.com/4676920/washing-machine-germs/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Markham Heid
* ![E.coli bacteria](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt49751e65fd8b64b1/6988b486bc6cfc4d4a3dfb4e/dirtiest-things-you-touch.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jan 4, 2017  
## [The 5 Dirtiest Things You Touch Every Day](https://time.com/4620966/dirty-germ-bacteria/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Markham Heid
* ![shower-head-water](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2c76037761194e28/698868108e0601150c462d4c/shower-head-water.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Oct 16, 2015  
## [Why You Don’t Need to Shower With Soap](https://time.com/4071388/shower-body-wash-soap/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Health.com
* ![empty-beach](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt13c225077b5744bb/69885ce6428a9ef0d7cce622/empty-beach.jpg?branch=production&width=750&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jul 29, 2015  
## [Why the Beach Is So Much Grosser Than You Thought](https://time.com/3975782/beach-bacteria-sand/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Health.com
* ![New York City Subway Pushing Death Puts Spotlight On Commuter Safety](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc32a20c1fcb36f16/69877dd5cd1bba3e116f5116/157664943.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Feb 5, 2015  
## [DNA Tests Confirm NYC Subway Is a Germaphobe's Worst Nightmare](https://time.com/3697797/new-york-city-subway-germs-bacteria-dna/)  
[U.S.](/section/us/)  
by Noah Rayman  
* ![interior of plane](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltdb0cec6196add341/69869f89810bbbd57cc9303b/sick-on-plane.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Aug 14, 2014  
## [Getting Sick From Planes Is Way Less Likely Than You Think](https://time.com/3111736/sick-airplanes-ebola/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Bill Saporito
* ![173845333](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8a537ce5dbc35844/69869f2f35ba6ff5c5c03615/173845333-copy.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Aug 12, 2014  
## [Hand Sanitizers Don't Lower School Absences](https://time.com/3103534/hand-sanitizers-dont-lower-school-absences/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Alexandra Sifferlin
* ![From right: U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama bump fists at an election night rally at the Xcel Energy Center on June 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn. during his first presidential campaign.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt76fa06e281b3b247/69869d62f983e7102804f011/81390668.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jul 28, 2014  
## [Another Reason to Bump Fists, Not Shake Hands](https://time.com/3045389/fist-bump-germs-handshake/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Charlotte Alter
* ![The Five Second Rule](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb3ee36e1ce956c17/698698a6cd804df8e9ccb949/5-second-rule.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jun 25, 2014  
## [You Asked: Is the 5-Second Rule Legit?](https://time.com/2907167/5-second-rule-real/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Markham Heid
* ![Gardening Hands - let your kid eat dirt](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf25446e208775ef8/6986969dcd684872510951bf/let-your-kid-eat-dirt.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)  
Jun 6, 2014  
## [Study: Being Too Clean Hurts Kids' Health](https://time.com/2828841/why-you-should-let-kids-eat-dirt/)  
[HEALTH](/section/health/)  
by Alexandra Sifferlin

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