Handwashing vs Purell and Other Hand Sanitizers

I’ve already written about the health risks of not washing your hands in my bestselling longevity book LIFE IS LONG!

In LIFE IS LONG I recommend handwashing for at least 30 seconds – by singing Happy Birthday twice (silently or out loud)!

Why? Because it takes about a full 30 seconds to effectively remove germs! (And I want you to be around for folks to sing you lots of Happy Birthday songs!)

Elizabeth Scott, PhD, co-director of “The Center for Hygiene and Health” at Simmons University, says that Coronavirus/COVID-19 spreads germs encased in a lipid envelope — “basically, a layer of fat.”

Scott says…

“Soap can break that fat apart and make the virus unable to infect you.”

Plus Scott says that soap makes your skin slippery.

“By rubbing, we can pry germs off and rinse them away,” says Scott.

Sounds easy enough.

But unfortunately many people still don’t do their handwashing correctly!

In fact, research says that about 95% of people don’t wash their hands properly.

Here’s an excerpt about handwashing from my bestselling longevity book, Life is Long.

A study from Michigan State University reported that, shockingly, 95 percent of people right here in the United States do not wash their hands properly. The researchers sneakily observed 3,749 people in various post-flush restroom scenarios. They discovered that 95 percent showed a “widespread disregard” for bathroom washing etiquette. Twenty-three percent washed without soap. (Eccchh.) Ten percent didn’t wash their hands at all. (Yikes!)

Now…the question remains: What about Purell and Hand Sanitizers?

Handwashing vs Purell and Other Hand Sanitizers

Health officials agree that it’s a good idea for everyone to TRY to use Purell and hand sanitizers.

In fact, hand sanitizers are particularly recommended for people with underlying conditions like asthma, emphysema, or any immune system weakening illness.

But …

Health officials also urge folks not to view Purell and hand sanitizers as replacements for handwashing.

Business Week reported last week:

“Purell and Hand sanitizers are effective – but nowhere near as effective as handwashing.”

Plus, according to the Healthy Hand Washing Survey by Bradley Corp.:

Handwashing is more effective in removing germs than Purell and hand sanitizers.

Main take-away:

If you can’t get your hands on Purell – or other hand sanitizers – do NOT panic.

Just make sure you wash your hands – regularly – for about 30 seconds.

In today’s world, you need to especially protect your health and immunity!

Grab all my preventative health measures – to better guard your immune system & protect your overall health – in my consistently 5 star reviewed longevity book, LIFE IS LONG!