National Handwashing Week - VNSNY Nurse Reminds You to Lather Up!

You’ve heard it a million times, but as the nation continues to see increases in COVID-19, we must all be diligent about taking precautions to avoid getting or spreading the disease. With this in mind, my colleagues at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and I work to make sure that the 44,000 New Yorkers in our care on any given day are informed and know how to follow safety protocols established by the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes proper handwashing, one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus and avoid getting others sick.

In recognition of National Handwashing Awareness Week, here are a few reminders to keep in mind as you go about your daily routine, whether that’s working from home, traveling by subway or bus, heading to and from the office or daycare—or wherever your day may take you during the holiday season as we continue to practice social distancing during the pandemic.

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To prevent the spread of germs anytime, but especially during the pandemic, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol to clean hands before and after touching your eyes, nose and mouth. I was taught to sing the “Alphabet Song,” to ensure that I got those 20-30 seconds in, and I find that the home care patients I visit in their homes sometimes find that a fun and helpful reminder as well.

Here are some basics from the CDC that we should all keep in mind every day:

• Always wash your hands after touching your mask and when you are entering or leaving a public place
• Make sure to wash your hands after touching an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, including door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts or electronic cashier registers/screens
• Don’t forget to wash your hands before, during and after preparing food
• Do not rely on items such as hand wipes or hand sanitizers to wash your hands as these do not contribute to antibiotic resistance – washing your hands with plain soap and water for 20 seconds removes ALL germs

Source: Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Handwashing in Community Settings Section

Being aware of hand hygiene throughout the pandemic and the holiday season is not only good for you, it helps assure that those around you will stay healthy too!

To learn more about home care services from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York visit www.vnsny.org or call 1-800-675-0391.