Remember to wash your hands

PETALING JAYA: Covid-19 is rearing its ugly head again, but many seem to be overlooking a simple precaution – washing their hands.

Experts say with the over-emphasis on wearing face masks, the SOP (standard operating procedure) on washing hands frequently must be re-emphasised as it was vital in keeping the virus at bay.Although many are beginning to heed the call to mask up, experts said the importance of cleaning their hands after touching surfaces, coughing or sneezing must be observed at all times.

Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said masking up alone was not good enough to prevent Covid-19, adding that this must be coupled with good hand hygiene.

“Handwashing is simple, basic and very effective to prevent Covid-19 and many types of infectious diseases,” he said.

Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming of Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine said washing hands was just as important as wearing a face mask.“Viruses can be transmitted via our hands if we touch surfaces such as doorknobs, which are contaminated with the virus.

“If we eat or touch our eyes, nose or mouth when our hands are contaminated with the virus, we may get infected with Covid-19. So, we need to wash our hands frequently, especially before using our hands to eat or before touching our face,” she added.Prof Moy said with people being advised to wear face masks in crowded and poorly-ventilated places, the habit of washing hands must be cultivated too.

“Handwashing (should be practised) in general, not only in poorly-ventilated places. Those with symptoms must wear a mask when going out.

“Wearing a mask can prevent droplets or aerosol (from getting through) as the virus is transmitted via droplets and is airborne,” she added.

Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a health economics and public health specialist with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said poor hand hygiene might lead to contamination in hands and nails. She said the contaminated hands of healthcare providers was also one way pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses spread.

“Proper hand hygiene decreases the proliferation of microorganisms, thus reducing the risk of infection and overall healthcare costs, length of (hospital) stays and ultimately, hospital reimbursement. Not washing one’s hands can result in contamination in wards and patients’ surgical wounds, leading to complications such as wound abscess and wound rupture complications,” she said.“Besides masking up, washing hands and cleanliness are important to overall hygiene,” she said, adding that washing decreases the virus load on the skin.

Prof Sharifa Ezat said to prevent Covid-19 infections, precautionary measures such as wearing a face mask and washing hands at regular intervals or after coughing and sneezing were a must.

She also said it was important to wash hands after using the toilet, before eating, while preparing food and after handling other humans or animals.“Just wearing a mask without hand washing will not do the job as you will bring the germs to your mask too,” she added.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends regular and thorough hand cleansing with either alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water to eliminate germs that may be on the hands, including viruses. It also advises the public to cover their mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

The used tissues should be immediately disposed of in a closed bin, after which one should wash their hands.

Surfaces that are frequently touched such as door handles, faucets and phone screens should be cleaned and disinfected too.