Mom and Dad always said it—and they were right: Wash your hands. The practice can save you from cold and flu viruses, not to mention scary things like coronavirus. But if you don’t wash properly, you’re putting yourself at risk Don’t make these mistakes.

You don’t wash long enough

A study from Michigan State University study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that 95 percent of people don’t wash hands long enough to effectively kill germs—that’s 20 seconds of scrubbing with soap and water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ^“We tell kids and adults to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice," says Roshini Raj, MD, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health The average hand-washing time was only about six seconds, the MSU study found.

You don’t dry thoroughly

The most diligent handwashing techniques are worthless if you skimp on drying. Germs love to breed in the wet, says Dr. Raj. Leaving the restroom with still-damp hands can make, it easier to pick up germ a microbes from the next surface you touch. If you have the choice of paper towels or air blowers, choose the paper towels. In a review of handwashing studies dating back to the 1970s, researchers concluded that paper towels are superior to driers at getting hands properly dry without spattering germs or drying out skin.

You wash only after using the bathroom

Anytime you touch a public surface — elevator buttons, a doorknob, the ATM, or a subway pole — you’re at risk for picking up germs or bacteria. "Most people know to wash after going to the bathroom, but you should wash periodically throughout the entire day, especially during cold and flu season," says Dr. Raj.

【小题1】What does the practice of washing hands result in?

A．Avoiding suffering from cancer.	B．Being infected with the cold and flu viruses.
C．Preventing you from getting AIDS.	D．Keeping coronavirus away from you.

【小题2】How long does it take to wash our hands properly?

A．Only 6 seconds of washing with running water.

B．The time you sing the "Happy Birthday" song once.

C．20 seconds of washing hands with soap and water.

D．26 seconds of singing the "Happy Birthday” song.

【小题3】Why does Dr. Raj. advise us to dry our hands thoroughly?

A．Because our wet hands will pollute other things.	B．Because germs like to live in dry situation.
C．Because the water on our hands is dirty.	D．Because germs will breed on your wet hands.