We know you’ve already heard that washing hands is important. But now it’s extra important because we are trying to stop the spread of a new disease: COVID-19. Everyone has to do their part and, luckily, the best way to fight it is to wash your hands properly and often! But many kids and adults don’t know the real way to wash your hands. Follow this graph. Here’s what else you should know.
Washing is better than hand sanitizer!
Some people made a mad dash for hand sanitizer, buying all they can from the stores. But using soap and water is much better. You only need hand sanitizer for when it’s not convenient to wash your hands with soap and water.
If you do use hand sanitizer, it should have at least 60% alcohol. You’ll see that written in small letters on the side or the back of the bottle.
Some people are making their own hand sanitizer at home, but most of these are not strong enough, even if you follow the recipe! That means they aren’t really killing the virus. On the other hand, it might also be made too strong, which can dry out or damage the skin. So just wash your hands! The simple solution is the best one, in this case.
Even when you use hand sanitizer, you need to use enough so that you can rub without it drying out, for 20 seconds.
Good old soap
You don’t need to go out and buy a special anti-bacterial soap, regular soap works great!
Why does it work so well? Soap molecules have two halves: one loves water, and the other loves fats (like oil and grease).
Have you seen a close-up image of the virus? It’s microscopic, of course, so you have to look at a picture. The outer layer of the virus is made of a fatty membrane, while the spikes that are sticking out are made of proteins.
The soap grabs onto this fatty membrane, and also grabs onto the water that you’re washing your hands with – so when you rub your hands together, the soap molecules will push and pull and break the lining of the virus apart.
But you have to keep washing for at least 20 seconds to let the soap really do its job – you should rub every part of your hand, and create friction. Don’t forget your fingertips and thumbs! Even if you don’t break up all the bonds, the soap will lift away the rest and allow the water to wash it away, down the drain.
Sing along
Hmm… 20 seconds. That’s hard to remember and boring to count. Make it a habit to sing a song you like, any song, as long as you sing for 20 seconds long!
Pick your favourite song, and see what part lasts 20 seconds or longer, it can be anything you like. What’s catchy and easy to remember: Old Town Road? Yummy? Famalay? Ask an adult to time it (the first time) – and make it a habit! Ideas that everyone knows: The Happy Birthday song (2x), Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Step up your game and make your own poster, similar to the one you see here, with your favourite song lyrics at this website: https://washyourlyrics.com.
