Hand washing: Why you need to start using soap and water

Washing hands with soap and water is a crucial way of saving lives (Shutterstock)

When Florence Nightingale, the English nurse and statistician, promoted hand-washing in the mid-1800s, she had a strong backing. During Crimean War, in which she organized care for wounded soldiers, she insisted on proper hand and sanitization routines. These routines have been carried through generations to date. Fast forward, in 2020 and with the COVID-19 affecting us all, everyone is encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water as a crucial way of saving lives.

Here are some reasons why you should wash your hands using soap and water: