Hand-washing the best way to prevent coronavirus, respiratory illnesses
Published Mar 05, 2020
The CDC recommends washing your hands to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. This is especially important when flu, coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and other respiratory illnesses are spreading.
Washing your hands is easy. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals, according to the CDC.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Share our posters below on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or print them off for your desk or at home:
