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Corona Virus: Misinformation in times of crisis

The coronavirus outbreak affects each and everyone of us. It has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy and financial markets. In these times of crisis, misinformation abounds and it somehow seems that people become more receptive to pure baloney due to their increasing anxiety.

The electric Handdryer Association, its members and partners, are taking the concerns and anxiety of people into consideration. We do understand that you are all afraid of the virus, an infection and the wider impact of the crisis on your company, your family and yourself.

The electric Handdryer Association wants to be part of the solution – hygienic behaviour to fight the virus from spreading – and therefore we have to actively combat false information on the use of electric hand dryers.

On this page we will regularly check and publish information on the use of electric hand dryers in the corona crisis with this traffic light color scheme! 

(image: pixabay)

WE NEED YOUR HELP

If you as an organisation, a supplier or as a private person find misinformation on electric hand drying, especially with regard to the current crisis, that is not yet mentioned on this page, please send us an email mail@handdryerassociation.org We will review the information you found and publish it!

Last updated on: January 2022

What is claimed?

Germany has Changed Workplace Regulation Regarding Warm-air Hand Dryers.

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Foto: starmix/Electrostar

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Japan is also banning electric hand dryers from public restrooms due to work place restrictions.

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The Spanish Government does not see electric hand dryers responsible for spreading the Corona virus.

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The UK Government has banned electric hand dryers from public restrooms at work places.

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There is currently enough scientific evidence to determine how to dry your hands.

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Source: CDC

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Hand dryers are not effective in killing the virus.

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Source: WHO

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Young people are not invincible to Covid-19 – act as rolemodels to protect your own health and others.

Practice good handhygiene is key – after washing your hands regularly and thoroughly dry them carefully!

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What is claimed?

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

One of the most effective ways to prevent infection & reduce the spread of #COVID19 is to clean your hands thoroughly.

This is only half of the story: Do not forget to dry them thoroughly afterwards.

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What is claimed?

The electric Handdryer Association stands for hygiene. And therefore we support the United Nations Water initiative: Fighting through hygiene: share your expertise and get your questions answered. Visit the COVID-19 Hygiene Hub

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Using a mask is enough to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

No. Masks can create a false sense of security, leading people to neglect measures such as hand hygiene and physical distancing.

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What is claimed?

Towel Day is celebrated every year on 25 May as a tribute to the author Douglas Adams by his fans. Everyone is allowed to celebrate, but do not mix up fiction and reality when it comes to important issues.

Wash your hands thoroughly and afterwards use a towel to dry them – The drying process, however, is not limited to towels. According to WHO “once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

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What is claimed?

Follow these five steps every time.

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

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What is claimed?

Step 1: Wet hands with warm water. Step 2: Apply soap. Step 3: Wash hands for at least 20 seconds (including your palms, back of each hand, between fingers, thumbs and under nails). Step 4: Rinse well.

Step 5: Dry hands well with paper towel.

Step 6: Turn off tap using paper towel.

The drying process, however, is not limited to towels. According to WHO “once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

What is true?

What is claimed?

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Wash, wash, wash your hands: Yes, you’re hearing it everywhere, because it’s the best line of defence. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds.

Washing your hands however is only part of the solution. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Wash your hands often – for at least 20 seconds with warm soap and water.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Make handwashing available to everyone in public to stop the spread of Covid-19. Soap and water are best, but you can also use hand rubs with at least 60% alcohol.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

What is true?

What is claimed?

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Young people are trying to stop misinformation and are teaching others on how to wash your hands properly.

This is good news! Everyone who wants to give advice concerning handwashing, please do not forget that it’s a process which consists of several steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry your hands!

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What is claimed?

Practice good hand hygiene: Wash your hands.

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19. But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Help your child develop handwashing skills: Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.

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What is claimed?

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then dry your hands with a paper towel (Step Nr. 5).

The drying process, however, is not limited to towels. According to WHO “once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

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What is claimed?

Maria van Kerkhove: Infectious Disease Epidemiologist; COVID-19 Technical Lead at WHO, WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

Hand hygiene is part of a comprehensive strategy to beat Covid-19.

This is true! Hand hygiene however consists of five steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry your hands!

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What is claimed?

Wearing a mask in public is a substitute for staying home & following the personal hygiene guidelines like frequent hand washing.

NO: This is NOT a substitute. Regular hand washing and thorough hand drying is key to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

What is true?

What is claimed?

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19. Especially if an infected person lives in the same household as you do.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Hand hygiene & cough etiquette are simple but vital.

This is true! Hand hygiene however consists of five steps: Wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry your hands!

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What is claimed?

Proactive steps for preventing the spread of Covid-19 are necessary:

“By now, many of us are taking steps to protect ourselves from infection. This likely includes frequent handwashing, regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and social distancing.” (Harvard Health Publishing)

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What is claimed?

Washing hands is most important to prevent an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

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Covid-19 is airborne and therefore electric hand dryers could spread the coronavirus immensely.

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Covid-19 is airborne and therefore electric hand dryers could spread the coronavirus immensely.

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UNICEF claims that there are five steps to wash your hands properly and avoid dangerous diseases.

Step 5: Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel.

This recommendation is too biased: The drying process can eagerly be carried out by means of a hand dryer.

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Handwashing is key to fight Covid-19 – 3 billion people however do not have access to handwashing facilities.

We need to raise more awareness for this issue: handwashing and hand drying should be accessible to everyone.

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Electric hand dryers could spread the coronavirus:

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): “We have no evidence that hand dryers are spreading the coronavirus…”

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What is claimed?

Good hygiene is in your hands.

The drying process, however, is not limited to towels as shown in the video. According to WHO “once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

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What is claimed?

Wash your hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand rub) and then rub them thoroughly with a towel (Step Nr. 10).

The drying process, however, is not limited to towels. According to WHO “once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.”

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What is claimed?

In the current debate on the spread of the virus many people assume that handwashing is more important than hand drying.

According to New Zealands Ministry of Health having access to “a good way to dry your hands” is part of the solution. If handwashing and hand drying are not possible, hand sanitisers should be used.

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What is claimed?

Use good hand hygiene measures.

This is true! Wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry your hands!

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What is claimed?

Getting your workplace ready for Covid-19 includes the promotion of regular and thorough handwashing.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

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What is claimed?

Handwashing consists of five steps: wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry

The image shows a paper towel dispenser for the drying process, however, it could also display a hand dryer.

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WHO EMRO (World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office) is also checking facts as we do!

The most effective way to protect yourself against COVID-2019 is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water

This is true! But do not forget to thoroughly dry your hands after washing them.

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What is claimed?

Proper handwashing is crucial to avoid an infection with and the spread of Covid-19.

But this is only part of the answer. Drying your hands thoroughly after washing is indispensable!

What is true?

What is claimed?

In the current debate on the spread of the virus many people assume that handwashing is more important than hand drying.

According to Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada this is not true: “Wash your hands frequently with plain soap and water, and dry your hands thoroughly to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.”

What is true?

What is claimed?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Handwashing is key to fight germs.

This is true! Wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry your hands!

What is true?

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