The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have some astonishing research results relating to the influenza virus. A seemingly harmless illness causes approximately 9 million to 45 million infections each year. Out of these, around 12,000 to 61,000 people fail to survive. For some, flu turns out to be fatal.
We never know how our body may react to an infection. And this is why it is imperative to make sure we stay away from germs and bacteria as much as we can. It also implies we maintain impeccable personal hygiene wherever we go.
However, maintaining personal hygiene is a doable thing. It is something you can control. But what about visiting public places where there is a lack of cleanliness? According to researchers, most public places are swarming with germs and bacteria. Since such sites are seen by many, there are high risks of contracting viruses and bacteria from such places.
Moreover, with COVID-19 lurking around the corners these days, we must maintain spotless hygiene in public places. Gyms, public touchscreens, handrails, restaurant menus, elevator buttons, and shopping carts are examples of public hot spots for bacteria to thrive and grow. But these are also some places where we cannot avoid going. It is imperative to shop for groceries and, hence, it is best if we take precautions to maintain sanitization ourselves. We believe some tips may help you maintain hygiene if you frequently visit public places and are worried about keeping yourself safe from germs.
Enacting Hygiene Measures As A Community
One part of keeping public places clean and germ-free is to work together as a community to achieve this objective. We highlight some tips on how people can be encouraged to maintain hygiene at public places:
- Punish Littering Behavior
Often, when people do not have to bear an immediate consequence of their negative actions, they do not take it seriously. And this is why sanctions and fines work pretty well in encouraging people to act a certain way.
The municipality administration should place sanctions whereby any individual caught littering or spreading dirt around public spaces should be fined a certain amount. They can hire experts onto their panel who can help devise appropriate disciplining procedures. For example, an individual who has completed her/his masters in public health online may be a perfect fit for such a role. They are well aware of what needs to be done to take care of public health and chalk out appropriate penalizing systems to encourage healthy behavior.
- Urge Sense Of Responsibility
Unless someone has impeccable personal hygiene habits, it is doubtful that they would voluntarily keep public places clean. We are all guilty of throwing litter around once or twice, or maybe sticking gum under the cinema seat, or forgetting to wipe our hands after we sneeze. However, educating the masses and putting up measures to build a sense of responsibility can alter human behavior in public places. One tip is to put up posters with spunky messages that grasp the attention and inform people how to behave in a public space.
- Put Up Accessible Bin Systems
Most people do not want to put much effort into finding a bin to dump their trash. If the trash containers are no in one’s line of sight, it just gets all the more problematic. Litter destroys hygiene maintenance and, hence, public places should have a lot of trash bins, and that too easily accessible.
A stylish bin design may look aesthetically pleasing but may confuse the visitors. Therefore, keeping bins reachable and straightforward should be the policy.
Enacting Hygiene Measures On A Personal Level
While keeping public places inherently clean is one way to keep the masses safe from infectious diseases, it is also crucial that individuals maintain good personal hygiene. Without adequate hygiene procedures, one cannot expect to ward off germs and bacteria. Here we pen down some tips to keep yourself clean and germ-free.
- Keep Wipes And Sanitizers Handy
With the spread of COVID-19, we believe the masses are now in the habit of maintaining hand hygiene. Some people still, however, do not uphold the needed standards of cleanliness. And thus, it is essential to wipe your hands after touching surfaces accessible by the public. You can keep a bag of wipes at your disposal or a tiny hanging bottle of sanitizer on your backpack for easy reach.
- Take A Hot Shower After Returning Home
Hot showers are incredibly relaxing; we all will agree to that! After a long day at work, preparing yourself a steaming soak in a bathtub takes all the stress away. But that is not all. Showers also help you stay clean and dirt-free. In case you touched any surface that had bacteria or germs, changing clothes and bathing yourself will help wash it all away.
- Clean Yourself After Playing With Pets
Nobody can ignore those cute doggy eyes now, can we? It is just impossible not to play with your neighbor’s dog when you see it outside. But while you do that and have fun, remember that pets can at times be host to ticks and bugs. These can transfer on to your skin and cause allergy and other problems. Thus, the best way is to either take a shower once you hop back in or at least wash off your hands and face with an anti-bacterial soap.
- Stay Away From Sick People
Well, of course, this is a no-brainer. We often believe sneezing or coughing are just everyday things, and one will know to sneeze in a tissue. However, few people are not in the habit of covering their mouths while sneezing or coughing. Instead, they go around spreading germs and bacteria everywhere. It is why it is best to steer clear from any individual you see coughing or sneezing in public. Besides, it is a given that if someone is coughing, they are sick. And sick people are infected with germs.
Conclusion
Hygiene is an integral part of human life. Germs and bacteria are always on the lookout to attack our bodies and affect us negatively. The best way to keep them away is by maintaining cleanliness in public places and maintain impeccable personal hygiene. We have highlighted some tips above, and we are sure these will help you maintain good hygiene in public areas.
