By Josh Winowiecki
Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Practice Transformation
As we look forward to gatherings with friends, family, and our community — across campus, at home, or wherever the season takes us — one simple habit is as important as ever: washing our hands. For nurses and anyone who cares about health, handwashing is more than a classroom lesson or clinical rule. It is a real, proven way to protect ourselves and others.
Hands connect us to the world and to each other, but they also pick up and spread germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proper handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections and nearly a third of diarrhea-related illnesses.
The basics remain the same: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That’s about as long as it takes to hum the chorus of a winter song, whether it’s “Jingle Bells” or another seasonal favorite. Be sure to scrub every surface, especially between your fingers and under your nails.
Hand sanitizer is a good option if soap and water are not available, like when you’re traveling or at an event without sinks nearby. Use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it over all parts of your hands until dry. Keep in mind, sanitizer doesn’t work as well if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy; soap and water should always be your first choice when possible.
There are key moments to clean your hands: before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after touching shared surfaces like doorknobs or elevator buttons. At the end of a long shift or busy day, washing your hands when you get home or before settling in is a simple way to reset and protect those around you.
Sometimes handwashing isn’t enough, especially when respiratory illnesses are circulating or when you’ll be around people who are more vulnerable. In crowded indoor settings, or if you’re not feeling well but need to be around others, wearing a well-fitting mask adds another layer of protection.
If you have symptoms of illness, like fever, cough, sore throat, or stomach trouble, it’s best to stay home whenever possible. This helps stop the spread of germs before they can take hold in our community. Handwashing is a small act with a big impact. By making it part of our daily routine, using sanitizer when needed, and being thoughtful about masking or staying home when sick, we help protect not only ourselves but everyone around us.
Here’s to a healthy season, together.