I have always loved these yet feared the UV light.  I am not sure if the outer envelope of a mogul base clear MV bulb blocks enough ultraviolet that you could safely look at and stay right next to (within a foot say) of a running lamp, or must precautions be taken?  You must be cautious with a germicidal clear fluorescent tube that has a mercury arc correct? But aren't they quartz just like the bare arc tube would be if you broke the protective glass envelope?  So I guess I understand the concept but am unsure of in reality how close you can safely be to one, does it emit more UV than say a normal white fluorescent lamp?  Thanks a ton! :-)

It isn't safety to stare directly at MV lamp while operating, but MV lamps don't produces nasty UV-C and UV-B radiation, that causes skin burn, only UV-A radiation, which is safer.
The glass outerbulb blocks all of the dangerous UV radiation, so only the safer UV-A escape.
MV and MH lamps are only dangerous, if their outerbulb is broken and they continue to operate.

With general lighting clear MV you are safe for 250W and below - there are strict UV limits for power ratings 250W and lower and all lamps for general illumination should fulfill them, regardless of the technology used (incandescent, clear/coated MV, MH,...).
Above the 250W (400W and more) the limits are a bit relaxed, yet for reasonable distances for these lamps and/or usual covers the UV inteensity is considered safe as well. For short distances the UV intensity may go above the limits (so potentially dangerous for longer exposure), but due to the light and heat output of these lamps no onee would likely install them so low/close, so the safe distance would not be met.

Germicidal lamps are other story: Even if they do not have to be made of quartz to be transparent to UV, they are primarily designed to emit as much UV outside as possible, so even a 4W germicidal tube is very dangerous (way more then e.g. the 2kW clear MV). On top of this many of germiicidal UV lamps emit the near vacuum-UV lines, what break oxygen molecules and the free radical atoms then reac6 with remaining oxygen molecules to form the ozone. And the ozone is very toxic, so the are should be well ventilated before people enter. So use these lamps with extreme caution.

Thank you VERY much guys!