Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by washing your hands

Piedmont College encourages students to participate in Global Handwashing Day on Oct. 15. It’s in your hands to keep everyone safe

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News Provided By Piedmont College and the CDC Sep. 4, 2020, 2:41 ET

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Piedmont College wants to motivate people around campus and the community to improve their

handwashing habits and understand the importance of washing your hands.

An article published by the CDC talks about how Global Handwashing Day has reduced the number of young children who get sick and helps them understand the importance of washing their hands, which keeps them and their community safe.

“Soap acts like a mediator between the water and the oil and grease on your hand,” said Dr. Juila Schmitz, biology professor at Piedmont College. “That’s why hot water and soap is better than hand sanitizer plus the rubbing action.”

According to another article from the CDC you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to be able to remove all the harmful germs and chemicals from your hands. Global Handwashing Day is intended to remind the public about how to properly wash their hands.

Washing your hands everyday will reduce the likelihood of you becoming contaminated with germs that can enter your body and can cause a serious illness,” said Beth Powell, a biologist from Averett University in Virginia.

On Thursday Oct. 15, Piedmont will be hosting a handwashing event in the Commons, as well as sponsoring a TikTok contest open to all students. A prize will be given to the student who posts the most informative and entertaining video about the importance of handwashing.

For more information about Global Handwashing Day and the event at Piedmont College, email Joe Dennis at jdennis@piedmont.edu.  

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About Piedmont College  

One of the most dynamic small colleges in the Southeast, Piedmont is an independent liberal arts college of more than 2,260 students. The college’s four schools—Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, and Nursing & Health Sciences—develop tomorrow’s leaders by engaging students in the classroom, in their community, and around the world. Founded in 1897, Piedmont offers bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degree programs at its Demorest residential campus in the foothills of the northeast Georgia mountains and at its Athens campus in the heart of Georgia’s Classic City. Information can be found at www.piedmont.edu.