Coronavirus Prevention: When To Wash Hands To Keep Yourself Safe During Pandemic

As more countries are easing lockdowns amid the pandemic, many people are slowly embracing the new normal. This involves going outside wearing personal protective equipment, such as masks and face shields. Frequent hand washing is also advised.

However, not everyone is aware when is the right time to clean their hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines on when to wash hands to help mitigate the ongoing worldwide health problem.

According to the CDC, it is imperative for people to clean their hands whenever they have been in a public place. Since not everyone has been tested for the coronavirus, it is a good preventive measure to always sanitize after coming home.

The public health agency also specified the instances when to perform proper hand washing, and they include before or after preparing and eating food, before touching one’s face, after using the restroom, and after handling a face mask or face shield that has been exposed outdoors.

The CDC also recommends thoroughly cleaning hands after blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing; changing a diaper, touching pets or other animals; and caring for someone who is sick even though they may not be down with the coronavirus.

Washing hands with soap and water is the preferred way of practicing good hand hygiene. If they are not readily available, the CDC advises the use of hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.

The World Health Organization reports that COVID-19 mainly spreads through close contact with infected people and being exposed to their mouth and nose secretions. One could get infected the moment infectious droplets from the secretions enter the mouth, nose, or even eyes.

Health experts have also observed that the virus can spread through droplets that have landed on surfaces and objects. When other people get into contact with these surfaces and objects, they too could get infected. This is why authorities have been urging the practice of frequent hand washing and disinfection.

As per the latest statistics on coronavirus cases in the U.S., there have been a total of 155,317 deaths. On the other hand, the total number of cases has reached 5,228,817, which means the U.S. remains to be the epicenter of the pandemic.