Some Tips on Hand Washing - and between Washing Hands
- Bacteria and viruses are removed by friction. Simply running soapy water over your hands is not enough, All areas need to rubbed a bit. That includes wrists and the webs between fingers. Your fingers have four sides - rub all four sides.
- Covid-19 (corona) viruses have a lipid coating. That is, they are covered by fat. Soap binds with fat (that is what makes it soap). Use enough soap when washing your hands to make them, and the viruses, soapy.
- The fingertips, under the nails and the "fingerprint" area are the greatest risk areas to transfer germs to your mouth or nose. For me, the side of my right hand is the greatest risk for transfer to my eyes. Pay special attention to them. I clasp my fingers inside each other (fingertips to base of finger) and just rub & wiggle them in soapy water. I wiggle my thumbnail into the palm of the opposite hand to get that thumbnail and thumb tip. This gets the high priority areas.
- Your thumbs are a fingers too. Don't forget them !
- Keep fingernails short. They are much easier to keep clean that way. Sorry ladies.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soapy water. I timed myself, I take almost 30 seconds to do a good job washing my hands. No need to rush.
- Hand sanitizers are not nearly as good (in one study, 60% as good) as soapy water. Better than nothing but clearly inferior. Do remember to wipe down your cell phone, which can pick up germs from the air. Use an alcohol wipe on your phone before washing your hands. Clean hands will pick up a clean cell phone then.
- Paper towels are sterile. Cloth towels are not. Wash your hand towels frequently. Have different ones for each person.
- Covid-19 (corona) viruses have a lipid coating. That is, they are covered by fat. Soap binds with fat (that is what makes it soap). Use enough soap when washing your hands to make them, and the viruses, soapy.
- The fingertips, under the nails and the "fingerprint" area are the greatest risk areas to transfer germs to your mouth or nose. For me, the side of my right hand is the greatest risk for transfer to my eyes. Pay special attention to them. I clasp my fingers inside each other (fingertips to base of finger) and just rub & wiggle them in soapy water. I wiggle my thumbnail into the palm of the opposite hand to get that thumbnail and thumb tip. This gets the high priority areas.
- Your thumbs are a fingers too. Don't forget them !
- Keep fingernails short. They are much easier to keep clean that way. Sorry ladies.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soapy water. I timed myself, I take almost 30 seconds to do a good job washing my hands. No need to rush.
- Hand sanitizers are not nearly as good (in one study, 60% as good) as soapy water. Better than nothing but clearly inferior. Do remember to wipe down your cell phone, which can pick up germs from the air. Use an alcohol wipe on your phone before washing your hands. Clean hands will pick up a clean cell phone then.
- Paper towels are sterile. Cloth towels are not. Wash your hand towels frequently. Have different ones for each person.
Between Hand Washing
#1, #2 and #3 Priority - Do NOT touch your mouth, nose or eyes, or your face in general. This takes practice to break a life long habit for many (including me), so start now.
Fist bump, or even less contact, when greeting someone. (Someone suggested that people of my age should bump walkers - not there yet).
Avoid touching rails on stairs, elevators and public transit
Money is filthy dirty, try to go cashless.
Wrap a tissue around the electronic pen and use your pen or a knuckle to pun codes to pay via credit card.
Punch elevator buttons with your knuckle or your pen.
Please add ideas in comments.
Comments
Post a Comment