COVID-19 spreads from person to person via droplets of infected fluid. Hand washing is the second best way to prevent getting an infection. There is a need to increase awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save our lives. The habit of proper hand washing is directly linked to one’s health especially among school going children. Hands contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in several ways. Experts recommend that people wash their hands for a full 20 seconds to clean off bacteria. We can stop the spread of killer coronavirus by washing our hands properly.
Habit formation is currently a hot topic in behaviour change and the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. Cold and flu viruses last a surprisingly long time on surfaces: between six and eight hours. Something like the coronavirus can live for 24 hours on surfaces. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Many diseases are transmitted when we don’t wash our hands. Bacterial, viral and fungal infections can be prevented if the hands are washed properly every day. Hand washing is a small action that can have big benefits. Hand washing might take a few extra minutes, but it’s an easy and really effective way to slow the spread of illnesses like the flu and coronavirus from one person to another or just from touching a contaminated surface.
It is a need of the hour to spread the word about hand washing, build sinks and tippy taps, and demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands. We need to emphasise the importance of hand washing as a way to prevent disease, the necessity of using soap instead of only water, how everyone’s health can benefit from washing their hands, and the key times for hand washing, including before and after eating.
Vinod C Dixit
Ahmedabad