October 15 is Global Handwashing Day. This year’s theme: “Hand Hygiene for All”, calls for all of society to achieve universal hand hygiene and reminds us that we must work toward universal access and practice of handwashing with soap for now and for a healthy future. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a stark reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a virus is also one of the simplest: hand hygiene. – globalhandwashing.org
It calls or a commitment for everyone not only for the government to invest in a culture of hand hygiene by placing handwashing at the heart of strategies and national budgets, and developing country roadmaps where needed, but also for the businesses to promote handwashing through partnerships, cash and in-kind donations, investing in and supporting supply chains for hand hygiene products for low-income communities, and promoting good handwashing practices among your workforce.
A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands. These diseases include gastrointestinal infections, such as Salmonella, and respiratory infections, such as influenza. Washing your hands properly can help prevent the spread of the germs (like bacteria and viruses) that cause these diseases. Some forms of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections can cause serious complications, especially for young children, the elderly, or those with a weakened immune system. – Better Health Channel
To wash your hands thoroughly:
• after using the toilet or changing nappies
• before,during and after preparing food
• between handling raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food
• before eating
• after using a tissue or handkerchief
• before and after attending to sick children or other family members.
• after smoking
• after handling rubbish or working in the garden
• after handling animals
To wash hands properly:
• Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap.
• Apply soap and lather well for 20 seconds (or longer if the dirt is ingrained).
• Rub hands together rapidly across all surfaces of your hands and wrists.
• Don’t forget the backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• If possible, remove rings and watches before you wash your hands, or ensure you move the rings to wash under them, as microorganisms can exist under them.
• Rinse well under running water and make sure all traces of soap are removed.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
• It is best to use paper towels (or single-use cloth towel).
• Dry under any rings, as they can be a source of future contamination if they remain moist.
• Hot air driers can be used.
In a study conducted by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Philippine-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that runs a poverty-alleviation program called Transform targeted towards extreme low-income households, “Knowledge, attitudes and practices of COVID-19 among income-poor households in the Philippines: A cross-sectional study” with 2224 respondents from 166 communities in rural, urban and coastal settings, Handwashing was identified by 82.2% of respondents as a preventive measure against the virus, but social distancing and avoiding crowds were only identified by 32.4% and 40.6%, respectively. Handwashing was the most common preventive practice in response to COVID-19, adopted by 89.9% of respondents. (JWRF/MTLU)
