At the centre of the Coronavirus health crisis lies our means to protect from it; the simple act of washing your hands. Hands come in contact with door knobs, phones and public equipment and can unknowingly transmit the infection. Hand-washing is one of life's most basic sanitary measures. We've learned it right from our childhood and now, it has become a life-saving hygiene barrier. But in times when COVID-19 is a full-fledged pandemic, simply rinsing hands with a spray of water and a dab of soap won't do. It may be the way you've washed your hands throughout your life but that isn't going to effectively clean them.
(Also Read: 5 Tips To Protect Yourself Against Germs At The Grocery Store)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is at its epicentre and has shared a guide on washing your hands the correct way. Study it carefully so that the next time you wash your hands (which should be any minute now, don't you think?), you do it right.
Their illustrated diagram shows the correct technique for hand washing. Using the right quantity of soap to thoroughly cover your hands is important. The back of both palms and fingers is often forgotten and from now on, definitely shouldn't be. It's also crucial to wash for 40 - 60 seconds, which is a great deal more than what we're used to. Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Deepika Padukone have taken the #SafeHands challenge to spread awareness on the subject.
Washing ones hands is one of the most important sanitary measures. However if you do not have access to soap and water, hand rub or hand sanitizer is ideal as a temporary solution. The expert technique is illustrated below.
Similarly, easy-to-miss spots like the sections in between the fingers must be rubbed so that your hands stay completely protected from every angle.
Along with hand washing, the WHO has shared 7 tips to prevent its spread. It includes hygiene habits like avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as covering your mouth when you cough.
Let's make these habits an essential part of our lives right away.
(Also Read: In The Time Of Coronavirus, Here Are 6 Points To Keep In Mind)
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