# Hand hygiene helps prevent COVID spread - not **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [July 5, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788 "2024-07-05T22:50:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SpicyDuckBillyHunt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@SpicyDuckBillyHunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpicyDuckBillyHunt)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/21 "2024-07-08T07:21:38Z")
I really did think it was unambiguous that washing hands helps prevent many diseases but did not help with COVID. Maybe I’m wrong there. I do find it interesting that everyone in the world stopped shaking hands and started disinfecting every single thing that touched. But has any studies shown that actually reduced the CORONAVIRUS spread? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/22 "2024-07-08T07:54:46Z")
Covid is and was primarily spread by inhalation of airborne respiratory droplets, but in the early days of the pandemic, _we didn’t know that_; it’s pretty sensible, when faced with a rapidly spreading disease, to take a broader range of _easy precautions_ than may turn out to have been strictly necessary. It was a good idea to wash hands, keep distances, wear masks, minimise physical contact with other people, wash food that will not be further cooked - even though not all of those things were _the_ thing. ‘Cover the bases while we figure out the actual problem’ is not an un-sensible strategy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/23 "2024-07-08T09:18:37Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > but in the early days of the pandemic, _we didn’t know that_ The WHO screwed up quite badly. It took them _two years_ to admit COVID was airborne–well past the time where the evidence was incontrovertible. A few months can be blamed on early uncertainty. Not years. This tweet aged quite badly: > The reason is a 60-year-old dogma they held that there were basically just two categories of non-contact transmission: droplets larger than 5 microns that fall out of the air rapidly, and small particles that can hang around for hours. But not only is reality not that binary, the 5-micron figure is just flat-out wrong, conflating two different figures from an ancient paper (the droplet threshold was supposed to be 100 microns). In spite of all the obvious evidence, both empirical and theoretical, it took the WHO immense pressure to cave. And even at that, it was only in April of _this year_ that the WHO actually redefined airborne transmission to be evidence-based. They could have done this decades earlier had they been more receptive to earlier reports that the dogma had been violated. Not that I disagree with the point that hand-washing was an easy early precaution. But it took way longer than it should have to give better advice. And statements like the tweet above were just shameful. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/24 "2024-07-08T09:30:18Z")
Agreed. There was also some early advice here in the UK that masks were not effective, with side conversations/misinformation to the effect that _masks might make it worse_ - and it seems that some of this advice was motivated not by anything empirical, but rather, because masks were in high demand and short supply. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/25 "2024-07-08T19:15:01Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > and it seems that some of this advice was motivated not by anything empirical, but rather, because masks were in high demand and short supply. This Aj Jazeera article mentions something close to that. Not quite saying that masks made things _worse_, but that they held off on saying it was airborne due to PPE availability. > **[Two years of COVID: The battle to accept airborne transmission](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/3/11/two-years-of-covid-the-battle-to-accept-airborne-transmission)** > > In the early days of the pandemic, did health authorities get it wrong on airborne transmission? > The WHO’s reticence in recognising aerosol transmission in 2020 could have also been linked to global supply-chain problems related to the manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE), some scientists suggested. > > Gurdasani says that perhaps there was a decision taken that acknowledging airborne transmission could have jeopardised mask or PPE supplies for health workers. > > “I don’t think you should ever change your evidence to match what you want your policy to be. I think you need to be honest with people,” she says. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/26 "2024-07-08T21:17:19Z")
Yeah, if I recall correctly, the official line was ‘masks are not necessary / not advised at this time’; the unofficial rumours circulating were that ‘they’re saying that because masks make it worse’. There were, I believe, a couple of doctors who spoke out on their personal beliefs that masks collected and concentrated germs and that this was bad. There was a lot of noise and weird messaging and rumour in circulation - like the thing about how Ibuprofen might in some way be dangerous to take if you have the virus - and the result was shelves overstocked with Ibuprofen and not a single pack of Paracetemol to be found anywhere - in response to a tiny rumour about one medicine, people reacted by panic-buying and stockpiling the alternative. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/27 "2024-07-09T01:04:25Z")
If you’d seen my students sneezing into their hands, then touching door handles and desks, you’d want to wash your hands. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/28 "2024-07-09T01:09:44Z")
Just for the record: when they said “don’t touch your face!” in the early days of COVID, they meant “don’t touch the mucous membranes on your eyes/nose/mouth,” right? There was no danger from touching your chin or forehead… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/29 "2024-07-09T01:38:19Z")
I’ll make it simple. COVID is spread by tiny droplets. Who DOESN’T slap their hand to their face when they cough or sneeze catching about a million droplets. So yes, washing hands and using hand sanitizer will help stop spread. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/30 "2024-07-09T01:52:33Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ll make it simple. > COVID is spread by tiny droplets. Who DOESN’T slap their hand to their face when they cough or sneeze catching about a million droplets. > > So yes, washing hands and using hand sanitizer will help stop spread Did you miss > [@Chronos](#): > > There are no confirmed cases of covid transmission through surface contact. Unless you’re sticking your finger up your nose, you’re not going to inhaling surface Covid germs. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/31 "2024-09-14T07:30:53Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Yes, and the result of those studies has consistently been “not very long”, and “not very effective”. There are no confirmed cases of covid transmission through surface contact. Frequent handwashing and cleaning are still very important, of course, because that is a major vector for the flu and many other diseases, but it’s inaccurate to say that it’s important for covid. Have studies been done? > We did not find any studies that assessed the effect of WASH on hospitalizations, and mortality due to COVID-19. Also; we did not find any study that compared WASH interventions with any other public health measures. - [SOURCE](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9403322/) Isn’t COVID a form of the flu? > **[Handwashing an effective tool to prevent COVID-19, other diseases](https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/15-10-2020-handwashing-an-effective-tool-to-prevent-covid-19-other-diseases)** > > Global Handwashing Day observed annually on October 15 to raise awareness and highlight the importance of handwashing as an effective means of disease prevention – this year marks a critical reminder for the world and the Region that this simple,... What do they know? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/32 "2024-09-14T07:47:51Z")
People do. And, Bite fingernails. Lick their fingers. Scratch their eye. If you have your droplets on your hand, shake someone’s hand, turn a door knob, flip a light switch and someone comes behind you and does stick their finger up their nose. Transfer. It’s kinda why I still practice masking, distancing, sanitizer and not touching my face. Never gotten Covid, flu in many years, very few colds. You’re free to follow your own practices. Mine works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/33 "2024-09-14T11:35:15Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Isn’t COVID a form of the flu? Where on Earth did you get that impression? The full extent of the relationship between covid and flu is that they’re both viruses. They’re not related at all beyond that. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/34 "2024-09-14T11:41:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Where on Earth did you get that impression? The full extent of the relationship between covid and flu is that they’re both viruses. They’re not related at all beyond that. Apparently they are different viruses but it is easy to conflate them. > Both viruses infect the respiratory tract, show similar symptoms, and use surface proteins to infect the host. - [SOURCE](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33064680/) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/35 "2024-09-14T13:08:17Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Apparently they are different viruses but it is easy to conflate them. For some varying definitions of “easy” I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/36 "2024-09-14T13:10:59Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > For some varying definitions of “easy” I suppose. I am willing to bet that without a test you’d likely not be able to tell which you had if you were infected. So yeah, “easy.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/37 "2024-09-14T13:22:13Z")
Without a test, you’re likely not able to tell that you even have anything at all. And yes, the symptoms (when they occur) are often very similar between the two diseases. But that has no bearing at all on matters like how they’re transmitted, which is what we’re talking about here. These two completely unrelated viruses have completely different modes of transmission. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/38 "2024-09-14T13:51:55Z")
Without a test, I can’t tell if I have HIV or HPV. Easy to confuse those as well, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/39 "2024-09-14T13:59:35Z")
The answer I’d give to the OP is that washing hands is recommended in general for all respiratory viruses. It may be less likely to spread that way, but it is also the shortest path for surface contamination, which makes it more likely to survive long enough. Sneezing/coughing on your hand, touching someone else’s hands who touch their face can happen in seconds. Maybe SARS-CoV-2 is too weak or requires too large an initial load to spread that way, but we don’t (AFAIK) have good studies on that, and it doesn’t hurt to recommend what is already recommended for other respiratory illnesses. Even though COVID-19 is spread primarily through aerosols, it’s possible hand washing has a smaller but still significant effect. (I actually wrote this a while back but didn’t submit. But I will now add that my presumption lies with the idea that we do not know more than the experts. Hence suggesting why they might still say this despite aerosols now being known to be the primary method of spread, rather than assuming they are wrong.) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788/40 "2024-09-14T14:21:38Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > Without a test, I can’t tell if I have HIV or HPV. Easy to confuse those as well, I suppose. I’m pretty sure the distinction between those two would make themselves known without a test. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-hygiene-helps-prevent-covid-spread-not/1003788.md?page=3)