From Crimea To Covid : The Importance Of Handwashing

In the 18th century, Hungarian midwife Ignaz Semmelweis observed the dramatic difference in women’s mortality rates. Not long after, the Lady Of The Lamp, also known as Florence Nightingale joined the sails of channeling good hand hygiene during her experience tending to wounded British soldiers in the Crimean War and witnessed firsthand the consequences of airborne and water-borne diseases such as dysentery, cholera, frostbite and more.

I solemnly pledge to wash my hands more often (Source: The Lamp People)

Certainly we all acknowledge that Nightingale’s form of self-inclusion after her return from the Crimean war is more privileged than most, as she still had several servants tending to her and even the odd visitor from government bodies. Apart from her closest family member, she only met with one or two people. Sure, it is depressing to see global statistics rise with every passing day. Yet we have also watched, read or listened to stories of the ordinary man and woman who have battled the disease triumphantly.

The simple act of washing one’s hands can prevent illnesses and kill germs, therefore preventing the spread of infection to others. Two hundred years ago, there were no such things as rubber gloves, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wet wipes or tissues. With so many pharmaceutical companies coming up with innovative solutions to this health crisis, we have no excuses really!