The importance of Hand Hygiene during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
According to the centres for disease control & prevention, hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection.
Our hands touch many different things throughout the day, most of which are harmless but there are things out there that can make us ill. Hand washing is the first line of defence against the common cold, the flu, other infectious diseases & food borne illness.
Government scientists have determined that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces exceeds that of breathing in contaminated droplets, according to this report in the inews. This reinforces the message that hand hygiene is absolutely paramount during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Covering your hands is simply not enough. Opting for gloves to cover your hands is no substitute for hand sanitisation - they can, in fact, be a source of infection.
Which hand sanitiser is best to use during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Hand sanitisers are cited as an adjunct to hand washing, but don't ignore the numerous known problems of alcohol:
- Damages skin (thus creating a breeding ground for germs)
- Ineffective against certain bacteria and viruses
- No continued efficacy once dried
- High dosage required for efficacy
- Highly flammable
- Risk of ingestion
What ingredients can tackle COVID-19?
The Singapore National Environment Agency has published a list of active ingredients that have proven effectiveness against coronaviruses, and that are therefore suitable for protection against COVID-19. This includes benzalkonium chloride, which is used in all of EcoHydra's hand hygiene products. Other ingredients used by EcoHydra bolster its effectiveness.
Avoiding COVID-19 when travelling.
Hand hygiene at airports could substantially reduce the risk of a pandemic, including of coronavirus, a study has found.