Stop Touching Public Faucets, Flushers and Door Handles!! (Letters From Lockdown 3)

My preventive medicine hat on again, this letter from lockdown is about something you really should start doing today. I’ve seen a number of televised hand washing demonstrations – wetting the hands, lathering up, cleaning the front and back of hands thoroughly, between fingers and rubbing the nails into the palm, rubbing soap and water around and then rinsing while silently singing Happy Birthday twice. Then, though, some of these people turn off the faucet with one of their hands possibly reinfecting themselves. DON’T DO THAT!!

You can use your covered elbow on some faucets and a thick paper towel on those annoying ones you have to turn. Don’t do what one expert did:  after washing and drying his hands, he wiped the faucet with the paper towel, tossed it into his other hand and then into the bin. DON’T DO THAT!  After turning the faucet off with a paper towel, get the towel right into the bin.

When you use a public restroom, don’t touch the toilet flusher or door handle with your hand. Have another paper towel in your pocket for that, use folded toilet paper or a foot to flush (if you’re agile and can lean against the side – not the door).  If need be, use the end of a shirt or coat to open the cubicle and later the exit door. The same applies to locking and unlocking a cubicle door.  None of these things are perfect, but they help — often a lot.

I’ve been doing these things for years to the amusement of my children, but it’s actually smart. Sure, I’ve gotten a few looks.  But people often follow suit. Those of us with at-risk underlying conditions should be especially vigilant and not worry about looking like we’re overreacting.  Think about it, you’re protecting yourself and others.

Similarly, use a knuckle to push an elevator button and then wash your hands thoroughly without touching your face.

Regularly clean the area where you work as Dr. Sanjay Gupta recommends.  Have sanitizer gel at your work desk.  If you can’t find any, there are recipes online, including on the link in this paragraph.

Some of these protective measures may seem like overkill, but if someone is or could be sick in your house, use some of the same hygiene processes above to prevent the spread of infection.  Keep the faucets disinfected and anything that will be handled by family members. Use separate towels.

This all feels odd at first.  But after a while, it becomes second nature.  We may need to alter how we do things as we learn more about Covid-19, and you may have your own ways of protecting yourself, but hopefully you find these helpful.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!  Be safe; be well.  Kathleen