Best way to prevent coronavirus is handwashing

By Anne Bizup, Allied Health Program Chair

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that good personal hygiene is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19. And handwashing is the best weapon against novel coronavirus.

Handwashing 101:

In consideration of concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the current flu epidemic in the state, washing your hands properly and washing them often has become increasingly important. Here is a review of the proper way to wash your hands.

1. Turn on the faucet for WARM water.
2. Wet your hands.
3. Apply an ample amount of liquid or foam soap (NOT BAR SOAP).
4. Rub your hands together to apply friction:
   • Rub palm to palm
   • Rub between fingers
   • Rub each thumb
   • Rub the back of your hands and between the backs of your fingers
   • Continue for at least 20 seconds or about the time it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday,” “Yankee Doodle” or the ABCs
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Dry your hands with clean paper towels.
7. Use these paper towels to turn off the faucet (your hands were dirty when you turned it on!).
8. Properly dispose of the paper towels.

To use hand sanitizer:

1. Apply ample amount to palms of hands.
2. Rub hands together applying friction in the same pattern as you do when washing your hands to ensure that you have covered all surfaces.
3. Continue to rub hands together until the sanitizer is COMPLETELY DRY.
4. Please note: After 3 applications of hand sanitizer you should wash your hands.