The World Health Organisation has launched a #SafeHands campaign on multiple social media platforms to encourage people to wash their hands amid the global coronavirus outbreak.
People across the world have been gripped with fear after the number of infections crossed 150,000 and more than 6,000 fatalities were reported.
Amid the panic, the United Nations’ health agency uploaded a video on its Twitter account featuring WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus washing his hands according to a step-by-step guideline issued by the agency.
There are simple things we each must do to protect ourselves from #COVID19, including ???? washing with ???? & ???? or alcohol-based rub.
WHO is launching the #SafeHands Challenge to promote the power of clean ???? to fight #coronavirus.
Join the challenge & share your ???? washing video! pic.twitter.com/l7MDw1mwDl— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 13, 2020
“There are several practical measures you can take to protect yourself from the new coronavirus,” Dr Ghebreyesus said. “One of the most important is regular, safe and effective hand hygiene,” he remarked.
The WHO has issued guidance of a step-by-step procedure on how to wash and rub your hands.
It states that hands should be washed with soap for at least 40 to 60 seconds. If you are using a hand sanitiser, rub your hands for 20 to 30 seconds.
How to handwash?
Use ???? and ???? for at least 40-60 seconds#SafeHands #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/HdPFtTW32j
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 14, 2020
The organisation has encouraged celebrities to take part in the challenge after which WHO’s goodwill ambassadors from around the world such as Liverpool footballer Alisson Becker posted their videos of them taking up the challenge on Twitter. Footballer Kaka also participated in the challenge.
I am happy to accept the @WHO #SafeHands Challenge passed by @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino for protecting #health & beating #COVID19. We must Be Ready to support each other in this fight against #coronavirus for our families, our friends, our communities & our world. https://t.co/iOdfVuNKwH pic.twitter.com/44AYNTc0uW
— Kaka (@KAKA) March 14, 2020
Twitter recently launched a hand washing emoticon to help the WHO in its awareness programme.
The WHO chief has also called on other international stars to join the campaign.
Following this, Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted the video on Sunday with subtitles in Urdu. He encouraged people to follow the steps and share them with their friends and family.
World Health Organisation’s Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has started #SafeHandsChallenge to spread precautionary awareness to fight Coronavirus Pandemic. Join the campaign by following the steps shown in the video & share the message with your family & friends pic.twitter.com/CEtaRk7Arc
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 15, 2020