Good hygiene practices are a simple way to reduce the risk of disease in general and COVID-19 specifically. Coronaviruses are “enveloped viruses”, which means they have a lipid coating with spikes that allow them to bind more easily to targeted tissues. This coating makes coronaviruses more susceptible to soap and disinfectants, including alcohol-based wipes and hand sanitizers.
It’s important to wash your hands correctly. One study in a college town suggested that only around 5% of restroom users washed their hands long enough to remove infection-causing germs,[1] despite how essential this is for reducing virus transmission.[2][3][4][5][6] Also, many people don’t completely dry their hands, and wet hands increase transmission risk.[7]
To properly clean your hands, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry them fully