ATTENTION: Can We All Stop Touching Our Faces Every Minute?

Supermarket, cafe, GP surgery, restaurant, barista, your loved ones – curb the spread of bugs, illnesses and infections by simply washing your hands and discouraging yourself from rubbing your eye or scratching your nose. Aren’t we a bit past incessant fidgeting? 

I see it everywhere I go and it can be quite off putting. Don’t get me started on the hospitality sector, I’ll be needing the emergency room by the time I’ve finished dining… I understand healthcare is very strained, but please may I offer one thing? Scratching your nose before taking my blood may help curb the spread of illnesses? Whether that be viral or bacterial, it must be worth a try? GP’s touching your eye without washing their hands or using gloves – if I didn’t have conjunctivitis before, I definitely do now!

Coughing as you briskly brush past strangers without covering your mouth, especially on confined public transport; I mean come on, really? Of all times to touch your face, this is probably your prime opportunity… or the better alternative – cough into your elbow if possible to save cross-infection.

The high numbers you witness touching hand-bars or an object in their surroundings then touching their face. You’ve essentially personally invited a bug of your choice to attack your immune system. No need for a ball gown when a hospital gown may be more suitable for the occasion. A quick glance at the figures should put into perspective the soaring flu and norovirus numbers, so why are we still actively encouraging ourselves to be unconsciously naive? Laziness? Lack of awareness? I’d beg to differ, people pay attention to what they deem is beneficial to them, if it’s not in their own best interests, they’re nonchalant and behold a “do not care mentality”. The standards to what acceptable behaviour nowadays is exceptionally low, practicing mindfulness could not only save a life, but prevent or lessen the risk for unnecessary illness for yourself too. Especially in professions, it’s about prioritising the customer, pupil, patient and not what favours yourself.

Long gone are the days where the cashier would lick their fingers to open your bag – our awareness is heightened, I’d rather decline your millions of germs please? There are ways around this to keep yourself and others safe, minimising common contagious illnesses. These include practicing hand washing regularly with anti-bacterial hand wash and for when you’re on the go: hand sanitisers are fab options, alternatively if your hands are sensitive to the alcohol levels, anti-bac hand wipes are small enough to fit in your pocket, wallet or handbag and gentle enough for the most sensitive of skin-type. These are small, quite inexpensive methods in maintaining good health and limiting the spread of germs. 

1. Wet Ones ‘Be Gentle’ Biodegradable Antibacterial Hand Wipes, 12 Pack | £1.30 | Click here to shop.
2. Dettol Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser – Aloe Vera Gel – 50ml | £1.80 | Click here to shop.
3. Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer | $10.00 | Click here to shop (US brand).

NHS England said there was an average of 5,408 patients a day in hospital with flu during the week ending 9 January, including 256 in critical care – 3.5 times higher than the same week last year (1,548 in the week ending 7 January 2024). With the addition of the sudden influx of HMPV in China which is flu-like and has been around for many years, the root cause for this sudden spike worldwide in seasonal illness is unknown. But limiting the spread is key.

I know it may seem robotic to ensure your hands are clean before embracing loved ones, but it’s so important. Common illnesses aren’t immune to your closest ones just because you love them and consider them very special. You show love through actions and those include taking those extra few moments to practice cleanliness, it might sound extreme or OCD but it’s rational and methodical. It’s all in the little things… after all, germs are microscopic – excuses my humour, you must be accustomed to my wit by now, surely?

Thinking of others actually counts as practicing self care. You’re caring for yourself which translates into caring for others who may share your space, subliminally. With that routine, you can never go wrong!

What do you think? Do you prioritise public safety? Have people forgotten about good hygiene and limiting the spread? Do you notice people touching their face constantly? Comment below!