WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY
Regarding COVID-19, our hands are critical vectors for transmitting microorganisms and a mainstay for making us sick, even in the pre-COVID-19 era. Handwashing with soap remains one of our best defenses against the virus, and has received considerable attention during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Handwashing has always been one of most effective and simple, primary preventive measures that most people can do independently. That being said, handwashing remains the cornerstone of disease prevention.
COVID19 virus is believed to move through your respiratory tract, passing from your mouth and/or nose, through your throat then to the lungs. One of the easiest ways to transmit this virus is via unwashed hands.
WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS:
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the key times to wash your hands:- Before, during and after preparing meals
- Before and after taking care of an ill person
- Before and after treating a wound
- Before and after touching your face
- Before and after entering and leaving public spaces
- After using the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching animals, feeding them, handling their food and waste
- After touching garbage
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS:
The recommended duration to wash your hands is 20 seconds (Sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Be sure to wash your hands with running water. When scrubbing your hands, get under the nails, and between your fingers. You should rinse your hands under running water then dry using a towel or simply air dry them. Use the cloth or used towel to turn off the faucet.
PROTECT YOUR HANDS:
Shaking hands is another easy way that the virus is vectored. We are very sociable people and for the most part, we are conditioned to offer a handshake as a formal greeting. Difficult to avoid but avoid it we must. Other measures to keep in mind is maintaining physical distance, practicing cough etiquette and mask wearing. These measures are intended to help us stay safe. Lastly, do not share items like phones, headsets, makeup, combs, and car keys.
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