COVID-19 Pandemic: Transformation of Germs and the Importance of Handwashing Habits
klinikfarma.com –The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world for the past three years, but as the pandemic begins to subside, new challenges have emerged in the form of respiratory and digestive tract diseases. Prof. Dr. dr. Hinky Hindra Irawan Satari, a pediatric infectious and tropical disease expert, underlines the importance of maintaining handwashing habits even after COVID-19 ends.
“For more than three years, the dominant virus was the COVID-19 virus. Now that COVID-19 is declining, what is emerging are respiratory and digestive tract diseases,” said Hinky.
When COVID-19 dominates, other viruses become less important. However, with the decline in COVID-19 cases, germs that cause respiratory and digestive disorders become more dominant. This is often caused by public negligence.
“Covid-19 can be controlled because we wash our hands, wear masks, and get vaccinated,” explained Hinky.
“Meanwhile, now our vigilance is decreasing, when we become careless and take it lightly,” he added ahead of the commemoration of Global Handwashing Day 2023, which was held together with Lifebuoy at Cilandak Town Square on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Maintain Handwashing Habits to Prevent Post-Pandemic Diseases
To prevent respiratory and digestive diseases caused by germs, the habit of washing hands with soap must be maintained. Hinky explained that washing hands is a simple and economical preventive measure. By washing hands, germs can die, flow, dissolve, and disappear with water.
Germs that enter through the respiratory and digestive tracts can cause various diseases such as coughs, flu, shortness of breath, and others. The healing process of this disease takes a long time. Therefore, Hinky emphasized that prevention is better than cure.
“Disease prevention is the same as during COVID-19. The points are no different, we must instill the behavior of washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining distance, and ensuring good air circulation,” added Hinky.
These are the precautionary behaviors that need to be adopted to protect the health of our future generations.
The Important Role of Parents in Educating Children About Hand Washing
Hinky also reminded parents about the importance of educating their children about the habit of washing hands with soap. This is not without reason, because this simple step is effective in preventing the emergence of new infectious diseases. By maintaining the habit of washing hands, we can form a defense against germs that are always lurking, even after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
