These days, many of us aren’t leaving the house without a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is one of our best defenses against COVID-19.
When is the best time to use hand sanitizer?
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we know that keeping our hands clean will help slow the spread of the virus and lower our chances of getting sick.
You should have some available when you run errands, go for a hike or walk, or travel to any place where you might not be able to wash your hands with soap and water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do note that, when it comes to preventing the spread of coronavirus, “if soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.”
In case you have heard some concern about overusing hand sanitizer in the past, that’s NOT the case during the pandemic. It’s better to keep your hands clean to avoid getting sick or spreading COVID-19.
Remember that hand sanitizer is a great supplement to soap and water, but not a replacement. In other words, hand sanitizers shouldn’t replace hand washing, but rather be used as a supplement to washing your hands when soap and water aren’t available.
However, cleaning your hands after you go grocery shopping shouldn’t be the only time you reach for the soap or hand sanitizer. Practicing overall good hand hygiene works wonders in keeping your hands clean, and yourself from getting sick.