We show you the correct way to wash your hands

Washing your hands seems like an easy task, right? Well think again, because most people don’t wash properly or for a long enough period of time. So we went to the Joplin Health Department to get first hand instruction on fighting germs and diseases.

Shelly Mascher an RN with the Joplin City Health Department gave us some great advice and It all starts with being diligent and counting.

Shelly says the first step if possible is to disinfect the sink area before you wash to kill any lingering germs. Then, use warm water and soap and pay attention to what you’re doing and for how long. You should wash for at least 20 seconds and make sure you get the whole hand especially the fingernails and the webbing between your fingers.  And friction is a big thing too. Scrub those hands hard enough and long enough to make sure all the loose yuckies are off you!

And there is even a right and wrong way to rinse. You should rinse you hands “down” from the highest part you washed to the fingers. This makes sure the germs are washed away and down the sink where they should be.

When it comes to drying Shelly tells us it comes back down to friction. You should always use a clean towel and scrub your hands dry. Making sure to not touch anything else as, or after you dry.

Shelly and the rest of the wonderful people at the Joplin Health department also remind you to keep social distancing, wear a mask and by all mean, stay alert and cautious. That’s how we keep the ones we love safe during this pandemic.