So I'm more at risk of disease if I wear footwear that *doesnt* have the TSA ask me to remove them, and thus walk across that disgusting carpet with my shoes on, insulated from the carpet? Sorry, seems like backwards logic to me.

BTW I've worn rubber flip flops all my life (grow up in the islands and that happends) including walking many miles every day while traveling all over the world (after bad shoes caused me some heel problems). In all my life, and a good portion (gasp) barefoot, I've never once had a problem.

If you asked me I'd say you need to toughen up your feet