COVID: Hand Wash - fordsfords/fordsfords.github.io GitHub Wiki

(Parent article: Covid 19 Fast Read.)

I've changed the way I wash my hands. For years the "experts" have been telling us to spend 20-30 seconds in the scrubbing stage, but I usually only did 5-10 seconds. Same with almost everybody else. But I'm changing now, and you should too.

The exact sequence depends on the kind of soap: bar vs. liquid. By the way, it doesn't really matter which -- if you wash your hands the right way, you don't need to worry about germs on a bar of soap.

LIQUID SOAP: put soap on dry hands and do an initial wipe-around. Then add water and lather. (I've had liquid soap just run right off of wet hands.)

BAR SOAP: wet hands first, then rub soap on hands, then lather.

NEXT: scrub for at least 20 seconds. Get between your fingers. Scrub each hand's fingertips against the other hand's palm. Thumbs and backs of hands too.

NEXT: Rinse.

NEXT: If your hands were greasy, you should repeat the above.

DRYING AT HOME: if at home, towels are fine. But if you have somebody there who is especially vulnerable, have separate towels. Or just use paper towels, at least until this Covid-19 pandemic settles down.

DRYING WHILE AWAY: always paper towels. Use the towel to turn off the water tap and open the door.