Dec. 4-10 is National Hand-Washing Awareness Week. It’s a good reminder that frequent hand-washing remains one of the best defenses against getting sick with the flu or COVID-19.
To properly wash your hands, follow these steps:
— Wet your hands with clean, running water — either warm or cold.
— Apply any kind of soap and lather well.
— Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, palms, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
— Rinse well.
— Use a clean towel to turn off the faucet and dry your hands.
Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, says it’s important to keep in mind that the faucet and door handles may be contaminated, so once you have washed your hands, use a towel to avoid contacting any of these surfaces as you exit the bathroom.
