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If you've ever used a public restroom, you know how alarming it is to see the number of people who simply walk out without washing their hands. It makes you want to use hand sanitizer after you've touched the door handle—and literally anything that person may have touched. Yuck.
Based on these experiences, it's safe to say the general population isn't the most responsible for keeping up with recommended personal hygiene habits. While personal decisions like showering and laundry habits vary from person to person, there are helpful guidelines for many hygiene practices from sources like the Centers for Disease Control. For example, the CDC recommends washing your hands in the following situations:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
But it's not just handwashing that society as a whole could improve on—take the quiz below to find out how the American population fares in personal hygiene practices. Be sure to enter your information at the end for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card!
And if you haven't yet, make sure the businesses you frequent have taken the Stay Safe to Stay Open pledge. By taking the pledge, businesses and employees agree to:
- Check symptoms before work and stay home when sick.
- Wash our hands frequently and avoid touching our face and eyes.
- Practice social distancing including wearing face coverings in close common areas.
- Learn about high-risk groups and help protect them.
- Cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze.
- Clean high touch surfaces frequently.
- Follow public health guidance as updated.
By taking the pledge, you help keep the economy open and people healthy. Learn more at stayopenutah.com.
