In the 1840s, a Hungarian doctor noticed that when doctors performed autopsies and then helped women give birth, it led to a higher death rate among the mothers.<br />Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis then implemented chlorine handwashing practices throughout the hospital, and death rates dropped significantly.<br />According to Business Insider, at any given time, every person's hands are covered with a few 100,000 to several million germs--all of them constantly on the move.<br />Staph infections, bacterial infections, cold and flu viruses, and of course the dreaded novel coronavirus COVID-19 can all enter the body via the hands.<br />Given that one study showed people touch their faces roughly 20 times an hour, it makes sense to be a frequent, and thorough, hand-washer.<br />Wash your entire hands with running water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing everywhere--including under the nails.
