It is almost a year now since this deadly Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, and scientists across the world are working towards developing a vaccine to end this pandemic. But that is still a long road and we might have to wait at least 03 months before a vaccine is available to all. In the meantime, we need to continue our war against this virus, and the question that is posed is ‘How to kill Coronavirus?’. World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a number of measures that must be followed to help prevent the spread of this virus. Washing hands at regular intervals is the only method that can actually kill this virus. Washing hands regularly with soap and water helps not only prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus but also numerous other disease-spreading viruses and bacterias that can cause diarrhea-related illnesses and respiratory infections such as flu. It is the magic bullet that can kill any maleficent germs that can cause discomfort to us.
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Our Hands Are Germ Magnets
Frequently touched surfaces that spread germs
Every day, our hands touch hundreds of surfaces. Surfaces that are touched by a million other hands. Millions of viruses and bacterias stick to our palms that potentially carry a number of diseases. Few facts to remember:
- Germs can survive for up to three hours on our hands.
- There are between 2 to 10 million bacteria on our fingertips and elbows.
- The number of germs on our fingertips double after we use the toilet.
- Our hands spread 1,000 times more germs when they are damp than when they are dry.
This becomes even more dangerous as we involuntarily touch our face 16 times every hour. Unclean hands can transfer viruses and germs inside our bodies via our eyes, nose, and mouth.
When & How Often to Wash Hands
Washing your hands often is the magic bullet that kills Coronavirus
The best practice is to wash your hands often to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and stay healthy in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Perhaps, also the only method known to kill coronavirus. Following are the key times when you must wash your hands without fail:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is diagnosed with Covid-19
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies.
- 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 touching garbage
- After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.
How to kill coronavirus by washing hands the right way – 20 seconds rule
Hand Wash Steps
Washing hands is fairly easy, and the most effective way to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Clean hands can stop coronavirus from spreading from one person to another.
Follow the following five steps as advised by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- 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 a few lines from your favourite song.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to reduce the risk of Covid-19
Alcohol based sanitizer can be used when soap and water are not readily available
Remember that sanitizers are not a substitute for soap and water. Sanitizers don’t kill all kinds of viruses and you should always prefer washing hands with soap and water following the 20 seconds rule. But in case of non-availability of soap and water, an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used to clean your hands.
How to use hand sanitizer
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Teaching kids about hand hygiene to prevent Covid-19 and kill coronavirus
Teach your children about hand hygiene and benefits of washing hands on regular intervals
It is important to teach your children about hand hygiene and the benefits of regularly and properly washing their hands with soap and water. Download this poster and put it in your house, preferably your bathroom to encourage your children to follow hand hygiene.
Call Doctor UAE is with you and your family in keeping you safe from Covid-19. We advise following the 20 seconds rule while washing your hands and wash your hands as often as possible to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and defeat it. Build good hand hygiene and stay safe.
Hoping that this article has answered your question ‘how to kill coronavirus?’.
