Hand Washing Works Better Than Hand Sanitizing During This Pandemic, A Science Project Says.

An elementary science project suggests washing our hands is way better than sanitizing it.

Back in 1918, a serious disease called influenza wreaked havoc around the world that takes roughly 50 – 100 million lives at the end of it. During this time, the government imposes public-health restrictions and recommended protective measures to help combat the disease. This includes practicing good hygiene, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and a prohibition on public gatherings. The 1918 flu is a clear example of a pandemic horror that we should not take lightly.

Today, we are facing a threat to our safety. Another pandemic that took many lives and still spreading around the globe, the Coronavirus. Everyone is in fear and we have nothing to do about it but to stay safe, stay at home, and adhere to the government protocols.

Since the pandemic started, we are advised to practice good hygiene such as washing our hands with soap or sanitizing it with alcohol. But what do you think is the best practice between the two?

A 38-year-old teacher named Dayna Robertson worked together with a 23-year-old behavior specialist named Jaralee Metcalf to conduct a month-long experiment on how germs could spread through our hands. She wrote:

“We did a science project in class this last month as flu season was starting. We took fresh bread and touched it. We did one slice untouched. One with unwashed hands. One with hand sanitizer. One with washed hands with warm water and soap. Then we decided to rub a piece on all our classroom Chromebooks.”

Using a loaf bread, the teacher illustrates what will happen to the bread using 5 scenarios. Heads up, if you are eating, we don’t suggest looking at the pictures. LOL

1. Wiped on all the Chromebooks in the classroom.

The bread on this photo was wiped on all the Chromebooks in the classroom. With all the viruses sticking everywhere, we could already anticipate what will happen to this piece of bread, right?

2. Fresh and untouched

The teacher transferred the piece of the loaf on a ziplock bag without touching it.

3. Touched by dirty hands

The teacher let the students touched the bread with dirty hands.

4. Soup and water

The teacher then allowed the students to touch the piece of the loaf with washed hands using soap and water.

5. Hand sanitizer

The teacher asked her students to use a hand sanitizer and touch the piece of bread.

One way or another, we must practice good hygiene. No one can protect ourselves but us. Let’s stay safe and pray that this pandemic will be over soon.