Washing your hands can protect you and your loved ones.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove all traces of the virus on your hands by
proper handwashing technique.
Step 1: Wet hands with running water
Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands
Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands – including the back of hands, between fingers, under nails and wrists – for at least 20 seconds.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with running water
Step 5: Dry your hands
You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
The same goes for hand sanitizer: use a sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol and rub it into your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure full coverage.
In the context of COVID-19 prevention, you should make sure to wash your hands at the following times:
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After visiting a public space, including public transportation, markets and places of worship
- After touching surfaces outside of the home, including money
- Before, during and after caring for a sick person
- Before and after eating
You can help children wash their hands by making handwashing easier for them, for instance, by setting up a stool so they can reach water and soap by themselves. You can make it fun for them by singing their favorite songs while you help them rub their hands.
Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to time it is by singing the full happy birthday song, twice with them.
No, you can use any temperature of water to wash your hands. Coldwater and warm water are equally effective at killing germs and viruses – as long as you use soap!
Germs spread more easily from wet skin than from dry skin, so drying your hands completely is an important step. Paper towels or clean clothes are the most effective way to remove germs without spreading them to other surfaces.
Handwashing with soap and water and using hand sanitizer, are both highly effective at killing most germs and viruses. Hand sanitizer is often more convenient when you are outside of the home.
- Use proper sneezing and coughing etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of used tissue immediately, and wash your hands
- Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes)
- Practice social distancing: Avoiding shaking hands, hugging or kissing people, sharing food, utensils, cups, and towels
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
- Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
- Clean surfaces that might have come in touch with the virus, and generally clean surfaces more frequently (especially in public spaces)
Reference Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120148084/coronavirus-heres-the-science-of-why-soap-and-water-is-better-than-hand-sanitiser
