We All Followed This One Hygiene Habit During COVID, Experts Say 'Let's Not Give It Up'

For me, handwashing has become a ritual—one of the few moments when I’m entirely present, away from my phone, counting ‘Mississippi’ for a full 20 seconds. The pandemic placed a renewed focus on hygiene, emphasizing handwashing as a key defense against germs. While COVID-19 brought stress, uncertainty, and lifestyle disruptions, it also reinforced habits that should endure. From walking through stay-at-home mandates to readjusting to normalcy, one silver lining stands—our increased awareness of hygiene. Online discourse was filled with worries about dry, chapped hands, confirming that overhand washing became second nature. But should we allow this habit to dwindle?

The pandemic of COVID-19 was a harsh reminder of the need for personal hygiene, and one single but effective habit was at the forefront: handwashing. During a time when the world was facing an unparalleled health emergency, washing hands well and often became a key instrument in the slowing down of the virus's spread. Today, as we proceed, health professionals firmly recommend that we continue to keep this important habit alive—not only for COVID-19 but for public health in general.

Handwashing was usually skipped or done quickly before the pandemic. Most of us washed our hands carelessly without soap for the full 20 seconds. But when COVID-19 hit, public health messages, government regulations, and individual fear of getting infected made proper handwashing a daily necessity. Social media was filled with handwashing tutorials, offices added sanitizing stations, and grocery stores filled up on hand sanitizers and wipes. The outcome? An increase in global awareness of the role hand hygiene plays in preventing not only COVID-19 but also other contagious diseases like influenza, norovirus, and the common cold.

The pandemic taught us to become more aware of our hygiene habits on a day-to-day basis. At home, at work, or when in public areas, washing one's hands became an automatic routine. Most developed habitual routines so that they made sure to thoroughly clean their hands each time they touched something, handled groceries, or came in from outside activities.

Actually, a research study by Dyson revealed that although most people acknowledged the necessity of handwashing, only 47% of them knew that effective hand drying is just as important. Wet hands can spread as much as 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, which is why hands should be thoroughly dried using a clean towel or air dryer.

Why Handwashing is More Important Than Ever?

Since 2024 was dubbed the "year of disease" because of the resurgence of several viruses, such as seasonal flu, RSV, and emergent COVID-19 strains, good hand hygiene must be upheld. Handwashing stops the spread of virus and bacteria that can survive on surfaces for a span of hours or days. Specialists point out that this easy habit should not be abandoned after the pandemic but should be embedded in daily lives as a public health practice that lasts.

Studies indicate it takes an average of 66 days to develop a new habit. COVID-19 measures having lasted so long, hand hygiene has probably become second nature to most individuals. The catch now is how to ensure this habit is sustained even after the pandemic.

Behavioral psychologists recommend consistency is the key. As humans have learned to adjust to mask-wearing and social distancing, to keep up the habit of hand hygiene, one needs reinforcement. Small things like putting reminders in front of sinks, keeping hand sanitizer in a pocket, and using disinfectant wipes will keep the practice going.

Lasting Benefits of Hand Hygiene

The advantages of hand washing go well beyond the prevention of COVID-19. Frequent hand washing lessens the occurrence of foodborne disease, shields against gastrointestinal infection, and reduces the likelihood of respiratory disease. Schools, workplaces, and public areas need to keep emphasizing hand hygiene in order to develop healthier environments.

In addition, correct hand hygiene is also important in the prevention of antibiotic resistance. The misuse of antibiotics has caused drug-resistant bacteria to increase, and infections are becoming more difficult to treat. By minimizing the transmission of germs through handwashing, we can decrease the demand for antibiotics, thus preventing antibiotic resistance globally.

How to Maintain the Habit Post-Pandemic?

Though the immediacy of COVID-19 might have lessened, hand hygiene is still a priority. Here's how you can make this habit a continued part of your daily life:

Wash for the Full 20 Seconds: Sing "Happy Birthday" twice or count "Mississippi" to make sure you're washing long enough.

Use Soap and Water Whenever Possible: Washing with soap and water is best to get rid of dirt, grease, and germs, but hand sanitizer works too.

Dry Hands Properly: Don't wipe hands on clothing; use paper towels, clean cloth towels, or air dryers instead.

Keep Hand Sanitizer Handy: If soap and water are not around, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol.

Keep Using Disinfectant Wipes: Clean shopping carts, gym equipment, and high-touch surfaces to reduce germ spread.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our mindset towards hygiene, and experts are optimistic that these good changes will be long-lasting. Governments and health agencies must keep conducting public awareness campaigns to remind people of the significance of hand hygiene. Schools, workplaces, and healthcare facilities must make accessible handwashing stations a priority to promote regular practice.

As flu seasons pass and new infectious diseases arise, hand hygiene is one of the easiest and most effective means of keeping ourselves and others safe. The pandemic has perhaps made us more aware, but the onus of good hygiene practices is now in our hands—literally.

Though we might be ready to bid farewell to much of the pandemic, one practice is worth holding onto: handwashing. It is a simple behavior with a huge payoff, one that can prevent illness, lower healthcare costs, and save lives.