What every employee needs to know to help prevent the spread of viruses
The growing prevalence of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has put hand washing in the spotlight, and for good reason.
Surfaces can not only harbor coronavirus germs for up to 48 hours, possibly longer, but other viruses can also live on surfaces for days, if not weeks. The reason why non-airborne viruses, such as COVID-19, spread quickly is from touching virus-laden surfaces (or through handshakes for example) and then touching their face (nose, mouth, or eyes)—which allows the virus to enter the body.
Of course, regular cleaning of surfaces is helpful on a company-wide level. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to stop this chain of transmission on an individual level is with more frequent hand washing.
Keep in mind that washing hands with soap doesn’t actually kill viruses or bacteria. Instead, the process works by removing them from your hands. That’s why it’s important to be thorough, so they can “slide off” your hands and down the drain. Here’s what your employees should know:
Use running water: Research has shown the temperature of the water doesn’t matter, although people tend to prefer warm water. But cold water works, too, if that’s your preference.
Lather up: Wet hands first and then use soap and begin rubbing the hands together. No need to try and find antibacterial soap or some special blend, experts have noted any soap works. It’s the detergent-type action that helps germs slide off your hands and into the water.
Put in the time: Research suggests only about 5% of people wash their hands for as long it takes to get truly clean. That time, 20 seconds, is about how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, but you can also count or choose a catchier tune. The chorus of “Dancing Queen,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” are all about 20 seconds, for example.
Be thorough: Spots that people typically miss include the back of the hands up to wrists, the lower palms, between the fingers, and in the nail bed. However, don’t scrub the hands so vigorously that they end up dry and cracked. Those small cuts can then become a vulnerability, where viruses can enter.
Use a paper towel to dry: Experts note that rubbing hands with a paper towel can also remove some germs, so you may be getting rid of some that survived the hand washing process. This is why paper or cloth towels are much preferred over blowers or air-dryers, which can actually kick up the bacteria into the air and recirculate them. That’s a reason that many cruise ships don’t have any air dryers onboard.
Grab another towel for faucet and door handles: After all the effort, don’t re-infect the hands by touching surfaces that may have germs, like the faucet, countertop, or door handle on the way out of the bathroom. Use a towel to turn off the water, and open the door, and then throw that paper towel away.
Use hand lotion: Even when you’re trying to be gentle during the washing process, frequent hand washing can lead to drier skin, which makes you more prone to small cracks and cuts. Using lotion can keep skin healthy and assist in good hand hygiene.
Also, be sure that if you’re in the bathroom, you don’t put your phone down on the sink while you wash your hands. That could cause your phone to pick up germs, and they’re right back on your hands again.
The CDC notes that using hand sanitizer is helpful when hand washing is not available, but that good old scrubbing with soap and water really is the best strategy when it comes to knocking out viruses.