Why Hand Washing is So Important
The cold and flu season is arriving fast, and with it comes the usual fears, of toilet seats and dirty kitchens. As we see people coughing and sneezing all around us, we often forget that the simplest remedies are often the best.
The Soap and Detergent Association (yes, there is such an organization) issues regular Clean Hands report cards, and they have given the US a “C-minus,” which is even worse than our grade in 2004, when we received a “C.”
In a recent survey, here’s what they found: 68% of us don’t wash our hands long enough to effectively remove germs and dislodge dirt (this was 54% in 2004). Don’t be in a hurry: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing with soap for at least 20 seconds.
read more