All that glitters is … germs?
National Geographic News recently reported World Health Organization (WHO) statistics that “an estimated 2.2 million children under the age of five die from diarrheal diseases each year, spread in part by dirty hands—both their own and their caregivers’ (Barclay, 2010)”. WHO stated those cases could be reduced almost in half by proper hand washing with soap.
But getting children and their parents or caregivers to wash their hands with soap and water is tough. Apparently, glitter was effective in showing how germs can spread from one child to another, according to the article. Glitter put on the hand of one child was easily spread to other children, showing just how quickly and easily bacteria can spread from hands and surfaces.
Henry the Hand Foundation uses a similar technique with Glo Germ. A few drops of the white “simulated germ” lotion is placed on the hands and then rubbed together. Then, place your hand under a black light to see the “germs.”
After proper hand washing with soap and water, check out your hand under the black light again. Did you do a good job washing your hands, even under the nails and back of hands?
Of course, Henry the Hand advocates not only hand washing with soap and water but also the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness. Unlike glitter and Glo Germs, we can’t actually see bacteria on our hands, which means avoiding the T-zone, or the eyes, nose, and mouth, is crucial to not getting sick.
“The simplest solution to primary infection prevention is to never put a finger in your eyes, nose or mouth,” says Dr. Will Sawyer, founder of Henry the Hand Foundation.
4 Principles of Hand Awareness:
1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.
2. Do not cough into your hands.
3. Do not sneeze into your hands.
4. Above all, do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.
Source: Barclay, E. (2010). Glittery Marketing Boosts Hand-Washing Efforts. National Geographic News. Retrieved from washing-germs-cold-flu-science-water/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/07/100701-hand-
