Girl, Wash Your Hands

Photo of Brianna Chickenfry and Grace O’Maller, hosts of PlanBri podcast. Photo from Google.com.

With the rise of some podcasters comes a debate about the effectiveness of handwashing and if it should be done at all. On PlanBri, while questioning the hygiene of men, the hosts, Brianna Chickenfry and Grace O’Maller discussed using the restroom and why they don’t wash their hands after. Although these podcasters legitimately believe washing their hands after restroom use is below them, it’s important to do so for their own health and those around them. This article tells you the importance of handwashing and suggests a unique all-natural, plant-based soap everyone’s talking about that get the job done.

Handwashing for Peasants

Podcasters like Brianna and Grace see handwashing as activities for “the poors”, as the pseudo-comedian Tom Segura calls them. To wash one’s hands is to assume one’s hands are dirty, and this is an affront to the hosts of PlanBri. There’s no way their hands could be contaminated after entering a restroom and touching the same handles and surfaces as unwashed hands with fecal matter. In their minds, cross-contamination doesn’t apply to them but only to the poors.

The Problem

Handwashing rinses away bacteria, germs and dirt, lessening the chances a person is carrying a contagion or pathogen. Certain viruses can live on surfaces for weeks on end. Simply touching them — especially with an open cut — is enough to spread or become infected with a virus.

Furthermore, the Brianna and Grace work in an environment where they have high contact with others. They work closely with each other, guests of their show, producers, cameraman and others as part of the production team.

Surfaces might appear sparkling, but you don’t know how much fecal matter is lurking invisible to your eyes…

The hosts of PlanBri owe it to their colleagues to ensure they are not spreading disease. The podcasters might be handwashing-adverse, but those around them might not be into mindless germ spreading. Some people prefer a clean working environment where they’re not afraid to touch the refrigerator door handle after fecal matter hands.

On a purely legal level, “All employees must wash hands before returning to work.” This is a phrasing we’ve seen so often that we know it by memory. Even though this is more commonly seen in the food service industry, it might be enforced by a legal code on a local or state level.

The Best Clean

Most people wash their hands, but you may have questions about handwashing such as, How long should I wash my hands or What should I wash my hands with? Even if you prefer all-natural soap, there is something for you, and handwashing can be a quick process.

According to CDC.gov, you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds under warm running water. Be sure to clean beneath your fingernails as well. Dirt and grime can remain hidden there if not cleaned away. Thoroughly cleaning beneath your nails will help eliminate bacteria or viruses you missed in the general process.

Your skin is the largest organ you have, and you want to protect it. Dove’s Plant Milk Cleansing Bar Soap is in high demand because it is void of phthalate, aluminum and parabens, all chemicals that could irritate your skin. Importantly, it is a cruelty-free, vegan and plant-Based option that leaves you smelling better than just any bar of soap. Those who want to hydrate and moisturize their skin without contributing to the harm of animals find this to be the most suitable option. You can get yours on Amazon by following this link.

If you prefer all-natural liquid handwashing soap, RusticStrength.com has the “Plain Jane” hand soap, a high-lathering soap made from renewable plants. People flock to it because this soap is gentle on the hands and has no harsh chemicals. It’s also biodegradable which is important in this age of waste. You can get this toxin-free solution to handwashing on RusticStrength.com.

A Takeaway Note to the Handwashing-Adverse

Handwashing is vital in helping to keep yourself and those around you healthy, even if Brianna and Grace don’t believe it. You might simply urinate in a restroom, but it is still a restroom. The surfaces might appear sparkling, but you don’t know how much fecal matter is lurking invisible to your eyes and waiting to cause the next pandemic. To avoid this, wash your hands according to CDC rules, and grab a bottle of all-natural soap.

This article was written by Jermaine Reed, MFA, the Editor-in-Chief of The Reeders Block. He also works an Adjunct College Professor. Join the email list to get notifications on new blog posts and books. This article is 100% human-written. And remember, if you see an error, that’s what makes us human. Subscribe and share.