gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health emphasizes the importance of regular hand washing in protecting from viruses including COVID-19.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw has some tips on making sure your hands are thoroughly washed and how often you should be doing so.
The first step is to roll up your sleeves and push out of the way any accessories on your wrists.
Next, you should wet your hands under warm running water and then apply soap.
Lather by rubbing your hands together covering the back of the hands, between fingers and around nails. Continue this phase for at least 15-30 seconds.
Rinse your hands under clean warm running water and then dry your hands using a clean towel or tissue, or you can let them dry naturally.
Hinshaw says whether you use a clean towel, paper towel or allow your hands to dry naturally is all acceptable. If using paper towel or tissues dispose of the paper in the garbage as soon as possible. If hand towels are used, it’s important that they are washed regularly.
Hinshaw’s office says Albertans should clean their hands “often and well.” How often that is depends on what you are doing.
Here are key times when you are likely to get and spread germs and you should practice good hand hygiene, says Hinshaw: 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.
Here are the tasks after which you should immediately wash your hands thoroughly: 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 waste, after handling animal or pet food or pet treats and after touching garbage.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.
In addition to washing hands Alberta Health recommends that Albertans practice other good hygiene practices, such as covering coughs and sneezes, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill, avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick, and contact your primary health provider or Health Link 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health.
Additional information on prevention, symptoms and other advice is available online:
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
