With the recent global spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is best to take precautionary measures by washing your hands regularly to help prevent the virus from spreading even more. Below, are some tips on hand-washing from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention).
Germs are everywhere! They can get onto hands and items we touch during daily activities and make you sick. Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you.
There are important differences between washing hands with soap and water and cleaning them with hand sanitizer. For example, alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill ALL types of germs, such as a stomach bug called norovirus, some parasites, and Clostridium difficile, which causes severe diarrhea. Hand sanitizers also may not remove harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and heavy metals like lead. Handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs, pesticides, and metals on hands. Knowing when to clean your hands and which method to use will give you the best chance of preventing sickness.
(Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)
For more hand-washing information, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.