Is washing hands useful if you are infected with the new coronavirus? Why washing hands can prevent the new coronavirus

Now is the peak period of the new coronavirus. Some people want to know whether washing hands can really eliminate the new coronavirus, whether washing hands or disinfection are really effective in preventing the new coronavirus, and whether frequent hand washing is a clear measure to prevent coronavirus infection. Let's find out together!

Is washing hands useful when infected with the new coronavirus?

The answer is yes!

Soap and water cannot effectively inactivate the new coronavirus, but they can be used as a way to clean hands. The new coronavirus is sensitive to heat and can be inactivated at 56°C for 30 minutes. In addition, lipid solvents such as ether, 75% alcohol, chlorine-containing disinfectants, peracetic acid and chloroform can effectively inactivate the virus. Wet wipes containing alcohol and benzalkonium chloride, 84 disinfectant, etc. can inactivate the new coronavirus. However, chlorhexidine cannot inactivate the new coronavirus.

Why washing your hands can prevent the new coronavirus

Washing your hands frequently is a clear measure to prevent coronavirus infection.

The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend washing hands thoroughly with soap and water. In daily life, hand sanitizer is often used instead of soap. By fully applying hand sanitizer and rubbing, dirt and microorganisms on the skin surface can be effectively removed. Be sure to rinse with running water and dry with disposable hand towels. Do not use dirty towels, otherwise the hands will be washed in vain.

When do you need to wash your hands?

There are times in our daily lives when we need to wash our hands.

In daily life, you need to wash your hands at the following times.

*After coughing or sneezing

*When caring for a patient

*Before, during and after food preparation

*Before eating

*After going to the toilet

* When your hands are dirty

*After contact with animals

*When you go home

How to wash your hands properly

The first thing to do when you enter the house is to wash your hands. When you are out, you may be exposed to contamination during shopping, transportation, daily contact, etc., so it is especially important to wash your hands when you enter the house.

We need to wash our hands frequently with soap (or hand sanitizer) and running water. After applying soap or hand sanitizer, rub your hands for more than 40 seconds to produce rich foam.

Whether at home or outside, wash your hands frequently, especially after flying, taking high-speed trains, or commuting. In particular, wash your hands as soon as possible after touching objects that you are not sure are clean, or after sneezing and covering your mouth with your hands.