Washing your hands is one of the basic rules dictated by the Italian Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of coronavirus, officially named COVID-19. Like other respiratory diseases, the infection can cause mild symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough, and fever, or more severe symptoms such as pneumonia and difficulty breathing. Senior citizens and people with previously existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and other ailments that compromise the immune system are most at risk for the severest forms of coronavirus. To help prevent infection, washing your hands often and throughout the day is very important. In fact, Coronavirus is spread primarily by touching the mouth, nose or eyes with contaminated (and unwashed) hands.
So, how do you wash your hands to avoid getting sick? Here are some basic rules to follow to prevent the Coronavirus.
Soap or disinfectants?
According to the instructions from the Italian Ministry of Health, normal hand soap is enough to keep your hands clean. And in a pinch – if there’s no water available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used. However, these products must be used on dry hands only; otherwise, they are not effective. Be careful, though! If you use them too often, hand sanitizers can cause dry skin. You can also find medical or antiseptic soaps with anti-bacterial properties at pharmacies or grocery stores, but make sure you don’t abuse these, either! As a matter of fact, prolonged use could increase your risk for the development of resistance to soaps like these, leading to increased risk of infection.
How much time should you spend washing your hands?
For effective hygiene to ward against infection, you should the wash your hands with soap and water for at least 40-60 seconds. If alcohol-based hand sanitizers are used, however, rub your hands together to evenly distribute the sanitizer for at least 30-40 seconds.
Handwashing: when it matters most
Proper hygiene requires that you wash your hands often during the day. The most crucial moments are especially before cooking or eating and after handling raw food such as meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. As we explained previously, Coronavirus is transmitted via the respiratory tract – mouth and nose included. Therefore, hands should always be washed before you apply or remove your contact lenses; before and after using the bathroom; after throwing out the garbage; and after taking any kind of public transportation (Lyft included!). To prevent infection, washing your hands is essential after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. It’s even important to wash your hands after touching animals or any other daily life situation that might spread germs, and definitely after changing a baby diaper, for example!
How to wash your hands with soap and water
According to the Italian Ministry of Health’s instructions, you’ll first need to wet your hands with water and apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of your hands. Then rub your palms together. For proper hygiene, place your right palm over the back of your left, intertwine your fingers with each other and then repeat the process vice versa. Proceed to rub the back of your fingers against the opposite palm. Move your hands back and forth with your fingers intertwined. Then rub your right thumb into the opposite palm and repeat the process vice versa. Rub your fingers against the palm of the opposite hand and do so on each side. Make sure to wash the wrists, as well! Rinse your hands thoroughly with water and dry with a paper towel or disposable wipe. Finally, use the disposable wipe (and not your hands!) to turn off the faucet.
How to wash your hands with an alcohol solution
To clean your hands when you don’t have a sink in the vicinity, pour enough hand sanitizer to cover the surface of your hands onto your palm. Rub your palms together followed by rubbing your palm against the back of your hands. Intertwine your fingers and continue on both sides. Rub thumbs into your palms and rub your fingers against the opposite palm and so on and so forth. Flick your right thumb while holding it tight in the palm of your left hand and vice versa. And don’t forget the wrists here, either!