Washing Your Hands

In recent news, there has been a lot of attention surrounding COVID-19 also known as the coronavirus. Although there is not much information provided, we still want to make sure that we are being hygienic and taking precautionary methods. One of the biggest safety precautions you can do is by washing your hands! Who would have thought that something so simple can make all the difference? Doctors have stated that it is the best way to protect yourself and others.

Advice for the Public

The best way to prevent spreading or receiving coronavirus is by washing your hands. Something as simple as this can really make all the difference. It is important to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. By doing so, you can kill the viruses that may be on your hands. Of course, the spread of the virus is scary but by doing such a basic task you can help lower the risk. To be reminded to wash your hands sounds silly but these are some moment when you are most likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• After using the bathroom
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing

Another important thing to keep in mind is to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Your hands may touch surfaces that can pick up viruses. If you were to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth, the virus will be transferred.

Even though washing your hands with soap is the best option, sometimes you may not be able to. In these situations, use hand sanitizer! It can quickly reduce the number of germs on your hands and it’s best to use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. But, it is important to remember that sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs. It does not substitute washing your hands but until you can get to a sink to do so, hand sanitizer will suffice.

The Proper Way

Again, it may sound silly to be reminded on how to properly wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the 5 steps you should follow every time.

1. Wet your hands with clean running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t feel like counting, hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end two times!
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

Working in the Medical Field

If you or a loved one is working in the medical field, it is essential to practice good hygiene. Even if your job may be a nurse practitioner or a department chairman in a hospital, you are at risk! You want to avoid any possibility of contracting the virus and spreading it to your coworkers, patients, and family. You want to be washing your hands before and after dealing with patients, wearing masks when needed, and also educating your patients on proper hygiene!

The spread of the coronavirus is quite scary but with a simple act of washing your hands, it can make a difference. Some may argue, can it really prevent the spread of disease? And the answer is yes. Many diseases are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. It would be a shame to spread a virus when something as easy as washing your hands could prevent that from happening. It is important to emphasize this due to the current situation. Wash your hands and if not possible at the moment, use hand sanitizer! You can possibly save lives and your own as well.