Module 2 Lesson 11: Prevention is Key: Wash Your Hands, Save Your Voice - A Guide for Singers

Transcription

The first step in maintaining vocal health is to know what you can do to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. Enough rest and staying hydrated are key building blocks for your immune system. But there’s something else you can do to help your immune system fight off infection; a simple way to prevent illness in the first place.

Washing your hands

When my voice teacher first brought up the subject of the importance of hand-washing for singers, I thought he was crazy (or maybe a little OCD like Howard Hughes, who was so germ-a-phobic he washed his hands until they bled). After more than 30 years of a performing life, I'm a convert! Washing your hands is one of the most powerful ways to ward off infection.

But it's not just a little soap and water that makes this process effective. There are two crucial steps in the hand-washing process that most people miss.

Before we get to the nitty-gritty of hand-washing, let’s take a quick look at microorganisms and what it is about them that makes those last two steps in the handwashing process so critical.

The Secret Life of Germs

If you're traveling, interacting with fans after a show, or have small children, you're exposed to a host of microbes —viruses, bacteria, and other germs, every day.

Those microbes have developed ingenious ways of traveling from host to host by hitching a ride on your hands. Germs then travel easily — from hand to hand, to a nose or mouth, or a doorknob or other hard surface.

When you wash your hands correctly, your body has a fighting chance against the microbes that linger on every surface that a hand touches.


How to wash your hands

* Wet your hands with running water — either warm or cold.
* Apply liquid, bar, or powder soap to a cupped hand and lather well.
* Rub your hands, palm to palm, vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
* Rinse well.
* Dry your hands with a clean towel.
* Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
* In a public bathroom, use the towel to open the door.

Most people miss those last two crucial steps. The handle of the faucet and the doorknob on the bathroom door are where most germs hang out. They linger on hard surfaces for 24 hours, and norovirus can last for WEEKS!

Skip the antibacterial soap

The Mayo Clinic recommends not to use antibacterial soap because it's no more effective than soap and water. "It might even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future." So, do your fellow humans a favor and use the regular, garden-variety soap.


Bonus Tip

If you don't have access to soap and water, you can still clean your hands. Just carry a small, travel-sized, alcohol-based hand sanitizer. I can't tell you how many times I've watched someone sneeze into their hand right before they shake mine. Hello, I really enjoyed your show. Let me give you a little something to show my gratitude!

Ummm… thanks, but no thanks.