It is always there, sitting next to the sink. Sometimes it’s clear, others, colorful. There are liquid versions and foaming versions. Yet, despite the ease of use, did you know that less than 50% of people wash their hands? Those who do lather up usually do not wash for long enough.
Consider this: dirty hands contaminate as many as seven surfaces, and sometimes these dirty hands have Hepatitis B on them. This viral infection can survive on surfaces for up to seven days, while other types of diseases can survive for three months.
There are stories in the news, almost daily, about outbreaks of norovirus and mumps disease, and we have the power to prevent them. Washing your hands only after using the restroom is not enough because anytime you touch a surface, you could be picking up germs to spread.
Of course, it is not realistic to suggest that everyone wash their hands every time they touch something, but it is important that we are aware of the big benefits of hand washing. By spending 20 short seconds at the sink, you can prevent the spread of disease and protect yourself as well.
