Top five hand facts

While we continue with the nth day of the lockdown, I feel it necessary to go back to basics for when the COVID-19 began. This was when basic protection meant focusing on getting disinfected and keeping your hands off communal surfaces like elevator buttons, doorknobs or ATM machines. Today, we talk about ways to protect yourself by remembering these top five hand facts, from no less than the World Health Organization.

1. Hand sanitizers can be used as often as you need/want

An alcohol-based sanitizer does not create antibiotic resistance. Unlike other antiseptics and antibiotics, pathogens (harmful germs) do not seem to develop resistance to alcohol-based sanitizers. As for dryness, remember that only a small amount of alcohol is absorbed into the skin, and most products contain an emollient to reduce dryness

2. The amount of alcohol-based sanitizer you use is important

What you will need is a palmful of alcohol-based sanitizer that should be enough to cover all surfaces of your hands. Rub your hands together using the right technique until they are dry. The entire procedure should last 20-30 seconds.

3. It is safer to frequently clean your hands and not wear gloves

Wearing gloves does not and should not replace cleaning hands. In fact, gloves risk transferring germs from one surface to another and contaminating your hands when removing them. Also keep in mind that when health workers use them, they only do so for certain tasks.

4. Touching a bottle of alcohol-based sanitizer found in a public place will not infect you

Once you’ve sanitized your hands, you have disinfected them from any germs that may have been on the bottle. So keep that in mind the next time you use that bottle of alcohol at the supermarket or bank entrance

5. Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the COVID-19 virus

To protect yourself, frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once cleaned, dry your hands thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer. Remember, in itself, hand dryers are not enough protection against COVID.