Remember what your Mom, Meema or Dad taught you?
Mike Walton

Do you remember the first time someone told you "Don't forget to wash your hands!" when you went to perform that essential duty -- in the bathroom?  You did it sometimes -- when your parents were checking; when you had pesky brothers or sisters looking to see what you do (so they can tell if you don't and emulate you if you did); when you wanted to impress someone. 

Most of the time, however -- and you know it's true -- it was go in there, do your thing, wipe, flush and get out of there as quickly as you could.  After all, "they're waiting on you", "you'd miss that great TV show," "there's others waiting to get in there", or a list of other excuses. Every one of them were excuses for you passing by the sink, picking up the soap (or nowadays squirting the soap into your hands), washing both sides of your hands, rinsing them under water and finally drying them (and the front of your pants or skirt doesn't count!) before leaving the "ladies" or "mens" room.

How about this as incentive? Washing your hands -- a simple process, taught at an young age -- can keep you from being ill or from dying. That's right -- death. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with your local health departments, the schools, the local 4H offices -- even the Scouting programs -- have stated for DECADES that the best way to stay healthy is to wash. Your hands, feet, face, teeth, body and the clothing you wear. Removal of invisable "bugs" by cleaning oneself often enough is the best way to keep them from multiplying, from using your body as a food source, and turning to today's "hot topic", keeping you from getting yourself and anyone else around you ill.  Since we do most of our exploration with our hands, the hands is top on the CDC's and everyone else's list. 

Why?

We shake hands. We touch things. We use our fingers and thumb to pick up, put down, place, move, maneuver, pick, pluck, probe, and prod things.  We use our hands as eating utensils -- straight out of the box, bag, shell, or other container.  Our hands are the most amazing implements ever designed -- for they can not only do that list of tasks but can also detect heat, cold and levels of pressure. Additionally, each set of hands are unique -- right down to the fingertips and their patterns used to identify each and every human being.

So it goes without explanation that if a "bug" or disease wanted to enter our body or move between humans, it would do so through our hands and the fingers connected to them. 

Since our hands are this wondrous multi-purpose tool, we can't -- and don't want to -- "lop them off" and move on....hence, self-care is essential.

Here's what the CDC suggest -- is there any surprise here -- to keep ourselves healthy in ANY condition but especially in view of the risk of getting ill:

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective, if you have access to them.  
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people (hard to do when they may be your kids -- or your spouse -- or your parent).
- Wash fresh fruit and veggies before consuming or preparing them for consumption.
- If you're ill, stay home, limit your contact with others, and through self-help or medical assistance, get healthy. 

As Scouts, we have an obligation to our friends, family and others around us -- to stay healthy and show others how we stay healthy.  So, in addition to getting enough sleep, exercise and fresh air -- we wash our hands. 

So, whether it is that great show on TV; the call from your friends or the computer; the need to "get in and get out" of the bathroom -- don't forget that most important task: 

"Don't forget to wash your hands!"

(Mike Walton, "settummanque the blackeagle", is a longtime Scouter, Eagle Scout, and Army Reserve officer currently on active duty supporting the public affairs directorate of the United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.)