All you need to know about handwashing to protect yourself from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Keeping your hands clean saves yours and your loved ones’ life…
Respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are spread when mucus or droplets containing the virus enter your body through your eyes, nose, or throat.
Needless to say..
The common and easy way to transmit a virus from one person to another is by dealing with hands!
That’s said,
During a pandemic, frequently washing your hands with soap and water is one of the most economical, easiest, and most important measures to prevent spreading a virus.
Below, we covered everything about washing your hands properly and keeping them clean all the time.
How do I wash my hands properly?
It is not enough to rub and rinse your hands to quickly get all traces of the virus off your hands.
Here is the step-by-step process for washing your hands effectively:
Step 1: Use running water to wet your hands properly
Step 2: Cover your wet hands entirely with a good amount of soap
Step 3: Rub the entire surface of your hands, the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the fingernails for at least 20 seconds.
Step 4: Again, use running water to rinse your hands thoroughly
Step 5: Dry your hands with a clean towel or a disposable towel.
How long should washing my hands take?
The CDC recommends that the duration for washing your hands properly is around 20-30 seconds.
Even when using hydroalcoholic washing solutions, a duration of at least 20 seconds is a must to ensure that the entire hands’ surface is covered.
Besides, the hydroalcoholic solution must contain at least 60% alcohol to work against such viruses.
When should I wash my hands?
To prevent COVID-19, you should wash your hands at the following times:
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After being in a public place like public transports, worship places, or markets.
- After touching surfaces outside of your home, especially money.
- Before, during, and after taking care of sick people.
- Before and after eating.
Besides, here is where you must wash your hands all the time:
- After going to the toilet.
- Before and after eating.
- After handling the garbage.
- After touching animals, including pets.
- After changing your baby’s diaper or helping your child use the toilet.
- When your hands are visibly dirty.
Is there anything I can do for my kids to help them wash their hands?
The first thing to do here is to make it accessible and doable whenever they need to wash their hands.
For example, installing a step stool will make it easy for them to do it by themselves.
Also, you can make the exercise fun by singing her favorite song while you help her rub her hands.
You may also want to check How Can I Protect My Child From The Psychological Effects Of Covid-19?
Should I use hot water to wash my hands?
No!
The water temperature does not matter when you wash your hands.
Cold water is just as good as hot water at killing germs and viruses, as long as you use soap!
Should I dry my hands with a towel?
Germs spread more easily from wet skin than dry skin, so it is essential to dry your hands thoroughly.
That’s said,
..we recommend you use clean clothes and paper towels to dry your hands. Using them helps kill the germs instead of spreading them to other surfaces.
Is it better to wash your hands with soap and water or to use an alcohol-based solution?
Generally speaking, handwashing with soap, water, and hydroalcoholic gel is very effective in killing most germs and pathogens – as long as you use them correctly!
Soap destroys the Coronavirus by destroying the outer covering that protects it.
If your hands are dirty, you should wash them using soap and water. Hydroalcoholic solutions are less effective on visibly dirty hands.
They are often more practical outdoors, but they can be expensive or difficult to find in emergency settings.
Keep in mind, though,
…they can kill the Coronavirus but do not kill all types of bacteria and viruses, such as norovirus and rotavirus that cause diarrhea.
Besides, hydroalcoholic solutions can be toxic if swallowed; they should be kept out of the reach of children and used only under adult supervision.
What if I don’t have soap?
If you don’t have soap and running water, a hydroalcoholic solution containing at least 60% alcohol is the best second option.
Using soapy water or ash can help kill bacteria, but less effectively.
If you must use either of these two methods, wash your hands as soon as you have access to a suitable facility.
Most importantly, avoid touching people and surfaces in the meantime.
How can I help to prevent the Coronavirus from spreading?
- Practice physical distancing: stay at least three feet from others, ventilate rooms frequently or leave windows open, avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing people, sharing food, cutlery, glasses, and napkins.
- Wear a mask when you are unable to maintain physical separation, especially in indoor confined spaces.
- Stay home if you are unwell and avoid close contact with people with symptoms similar to colds or the flu. Get prompt medical attention if you have a cough, or have a fever or difficulty breathing, or if you notice the same symptoms in your child.
- When sneezing and coughing, have the right reflexes: cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then immediately wash your hands properly and dispose of the dirty tissues.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Clean surfaces that may have come in contact with the virus and, in general, clean surfaces more frequently (especially in public places).
- Stay up-to-date with the latest information from your local health authorities or what is available on the WHO website.
About
Dema JS is the founder of newbabysmell.com and a mother of two little kids. Dema had her MBA from St. John’s University- NYC in dual concentrations: Executive Management and Marketing Management.
Contact: Please email dema@newbabysmell.com or go to newbabysmell.com
