Do You Wash Your Hands Enough?

For Secretary's' Day, our firm gave all the support staff a Purell Pal to keep on our desks in an effort to stop the spread of germs and prevent illness. I thought this was a very practical gift and a good idea. I like it because it's handy and dries really fast without any goopy feeling left on my hands. After reading the brochure about "Why You Need Purell" I am now using the hand sanitizer and washing my hands way more than I did before. It had a quote by Dr. Charles P. Gerba, University of Arizona microbiologist that says "The average desk harbors over 10,000,000 germs! The brochure lists the following germ count at an average desk that really got my attention:

• Desktop = 20,961 germs per square inch


• Keyboard = 3,295 germs per square inch


• Mouse = 1,676 germs per square inch


• Phone = 25,127 germs per square inch

Considering I'm at a desk most of the day, I am in contact with LOTS and LOTS of germs. I am at a desk at work and then also at home too when I go on the computer every night. Wow! Both Purell and Germ-x claim to kill 99.99% of most common germs that may make you sick. Many of the most common germs are transmitted by hands; thus, we need to wash our hands frequently.

Here's the list given in the brochure of when we should wash our hands:

• After you shake hands


• Before you snack or eat


• After using the restroom


• After handling money


• Every time you return to your desk (I don't understand this one--does it actually shield against germs too?)


• After getting coffee, using the vending machine, or visiting other shared areas


• When you cough, sneeze or blow your nose


• Before you leave for the day so you don't bring these germs home with you


• Any other time you feel the need

I didn't do so well so have a lot of room to improve starting now. How about you? What are your thoughts about this? Do you use a hand sanitizer?
(This is not a paid post).