Wash Your Hands!

[canyonwalker]

Back in the darkest days of the Coronavirus pandemic there was briefly an outbreak of hand-washing. We all bought small bottles of hand sanitizer and carried them everywhere with us— in pockets, in purses, in backpacks and brief cases— and dutifully washed up after touching things and before eating.



Like most smart things a lot of people did at the height of the pandemic, that discipline has largely disappeared. But here's the thing... Hand washing is still a great idea!

I don't just mean for avoiding Coronavirus. Handwashing is a critical step for reducing the spread of the common cold. The primary viruses that cause colds survive well on hard surfaces. That's how they transmit— they sit on places like countertops, sink knobs, and door handles. You touch one of those, then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, and BAM! Transmitted. 😨😥🤧

After catching a cold a month ago on a trip I'm purposefully getting more careful again about washing. I've got a few small bottles of sanitizer and I'm trying to remember to take one with me each time I leave the house. I've got one in my business/travel bag and one next to my sunglasses near the front door. Remembering to take them with me— and use them after touching things and before eating— is a habit I'm working to rebuild.

Comments

[some_other_dave]

I have gotten into the habit of washing my hands as soon as I return home from anywhere. It might not be very effective given I'm not as careful as I could be while I'm out, but it does make me feel better.

I'm also one of fairly few people who wear a mask at the grocery store and similar places.

[sorcyress]

covid rewired my return home from...anywhere. I enter the house, I take off my shoes, I wash my hands. I'm not at all upset about this!

~Sor

[canyonwalker]

I get you. It's not fully habit, but we do keep a larger bottle of alcohol hand sanitizer by the front door to wash up with when we come home. We also use it to refill our pocket-size bottles before we go out when they're nearly empty.