Ewww, wash your hands!

By Ciara Amir

“Wash your hands, right now” is probably a phrase that was often repeated in your home as a child. Well, at least in my home it was often shouted at me after coming in from a long day’s worth of fun and games.

Washing your hands is such an easy task that most children can complete the task by themselves, however may adults still fail to take this task serious.

In the earlier part of 2009, many new cases of the H1N1 influenza were reported and had the Nation wearing mask that resembled modern day gas masks. However, Americans are still failing to use their number one defense mechanism against this National epidemic.

"Hand washing is a simple thing to do and it's the best way to prevent infection and illness," said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey found that 54 percent of people surveyed said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently in public restrooms since the H1N1 virus emerged.”

Hand washing is something that American’s have had previous problems with. A research study conducted by the American Society for Microbiology in 2007, found only 77 percent of Americans washed their hands after using public restrooms. Another study conducted in 2004 by the Minnesota Department of Health, found that hand washing at the Minnesota state fairgrounds were even more frightening. The studies showed that only 75 percent of women and 51 percent of men washed with both soap and water after using public restrooms.

The trends found in this research correlates with a character from the book “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life” written by Spencer Johnson.

Throughout the book, the character Hem is faced with many life-changing experiences, but yet he did not change. The character refused to accommodate his life to his current situations. He was even warned by a friend that if he didn’t change his ways, he wouldn’t survive.

We are facing unusual times and disease is continuously running ramped around us. Perhaps someone should chisel in our walls, "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct!"

Bradley Corporation is currently doing its part in helping chisel this message in the minds of many Americans. If you would like to know more about their healthy hand washing tips campaign please visit. www.bradleycorp.com