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As a frequent handwasher, I wasn’t surprised to see various news stories touting the benefits of applying soap and warm water to your hands.

With the recent news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) released the following handwashing techniques to help combat potential illness. One can also find these techniques on Page 2A of this week’s edition.

The following techniques are advised for proper handwashing:

• • Wet hands with clean, running warm water and apply soap.
• Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.
• Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice for an easy way to time.
• Rinse hands well under clean, running warm water.
• Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.  (Note: Air drying means using a warm or room temperature blow dryer.)

When to Wash

• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

So, if you think you need to wash your hands, please do so. Find the nearest sink with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol. My favorite right now is the germ-X Advanced Hand Sanitizer with Aloe.

Wash on!