Corona Virus: Hand Hygiene, the How To by DPB Attorneys & Conveyancers
By Anton Wranz, COO & Head of Business Development
How is the Coronavirus spreading?
The Coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, spreads from person to person when in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, for instance.
Saliva or mucus droplets from an infected person are dispersed in the air and/or on surfaces by coughing and/or sneezing and/or even touching and/or spitting.
When these droplets come into direct contact with other people, it can infect those who touch these infected surfaces and then thereafter their faces.
According to scientists, coughs and sneezes can travel several feet and stay suspended in the air for up to 10 minutes. Therefore, Hand hygiene is crucially important to maintain at all times.
What is healthy and proper Hand Hygiene?
At DPB we believe that Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do for personal hygiene and your community. If hands aren’t clean, they can spread viruses and bacteria all over your personal as well as communal spaces.
A quick rinse or washing your hands once a day is not good enough – NOT if you want to keep harmful bacteria and germs away!
In order to ensure that you have really cleaned your hands and removed viruses, bacteria and other harmful organisms, you need to ensure that you pay attention to the steps involved in washing your hands, the technique used to wash as well as the drying of your hands.
You must wash your hands with soap and water ensuring that you rinse and dry properly.
Hand washing
It is important for you to know how to wash your hands properly
Six steps on how to wash your hands.
Hands must be washed frequently with running water and soap according to the steps above and technique described below
Let’s have a closer look at the hand washing technique to ensure that no areas on your hands are missed:
Hand Drying:
Improper drying can re-contaminate hands that have been washed. Wet surfaces spread organisms more effectively than dry ones and inadequately dried hands are prone to skin damage.
Disposable paper hand towels of good quality should be used to ensure hands are dried thoroughly. Here are the steps to follow when drying your hands.
Hand Drying Steps:
- Always use a clean fresh towel or sterile disposable towels.
- Dry palms and back of hands using a disposable paper towel to help remove remaining bacteria
- Work towel between the fingers.
- Dry around and under the nails.
Areas Missed During Hand Washing:
Because of insufficient scrubbing or rubbing at STEP No 3 above, there are often parts of the hands that are not cleaned properly. Therefore, it is suggested that you take careful consideration to the areas listed in below as RED or ORANGE to avoid that you miss these areas and you contaminate surfaces.
We believe that it is your responsibility to be careful, considerate and mindful towards yourself as well as others to ensure that you remain healthy at all times. We at DPB, therefore urge you be be a good Citizen of South Africa and take this advice to heart.
Let us all stay healthy and assist one another!