Handwashing: The Do-It-Yourself Vaccine

By Keith Schneringer

Washing your hands properly is one of the best things you can do to help prevent and control the spread of many illnesses – and good hand hygiene is a key contributor to helping us all stay healthy. As a matter of fact, the CDC believes that handwashing is so important that they refer to it as a “do-it-yourself vaccine”!

Regular handwashing is a quick and simple activity which can help us all to remove germs from our hands, and therefore prevent the spread of these germs to others (including back to ourselves) which could potentially result in illness. As the CDC states, “Handwashing is a win for everyone – except the germs”!

Topics: handwashing, hand hygiene

Fighting the Flu: Kersey and Local Partners Announce the Rollout of Hand Sanitizer Stations at All City Libraries and Rec Centers

WAXIE Sanitary Supply & GOJO partnered with the City of San Diego to install Purell Hand Sanitizer Stations in all local libraries and recreation centers; left to right – WAXIE Vice President of Marketing, Rick Hazard; City of San Diego Councilmember Mark Kersey; WAXIE San Diego General Manager, Lee Jackson; and WAXIE Director of Channel Marketing & Sustainability, Keith Schneringer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS PROVIDED BY: The City of San Diego – Councilmember Mark Kersey, Fifth District

October 10, 2018 

San Diego – Recognizing the importance of preventative measures this flu season, Councilman Mark Kersey has partnered with WAXIE Sanitary Supply and GOJO, the makers of Purell, to equip all San Diego City libraries and recreation centers with a hand sanitizer station. 

Last season, 342 people died from complications from the flu, 255 more than the previous season and the highest total since the County of San Diego began tracking flu deaths nearly 20 years ago. According to the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, people should get vaccinated by the end of October and supplement vaccination with hand washing and hand sanitizer.

Topics: community involvement, hand hygiene, hand sanitizer

Get Ready ‘Cause Here It Comes: Preparing for Cold & Flu Season

By: Briana Smith

Cold & flu season tends to follow quickly on the heels of back-to-school, as the weather becomes cooler. Staying healthy at work or school can be a challenge, but there are some easy ways to minimize the changes of catching something.

Topics: hand hygiene, tips & tricks, workplace wellness

Emergency Preparation for the Unthinkable – School Lockdowns

By: Briana Smith, Social Media & Product Branding Specialist, WAXIE Sanitary Supply

Unfortunately in this day and age, school lockdowns are becoming increasingly frequent with students and educators being stuck in classrooms for unknown quantities of time.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace safety, education

Debunking Some of the Most Common Hand Sanitizer Myths

Guest Post By: Jim Arbogast, Ph.D., Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements, GOJO

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers play a key role in keeping us healthy – especially as the winter-germ season approaches. In fact, practicing good hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled – is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay healthy.

Yet, there are many misconceptions about alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and we wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight. The following takes a closer look and tells the truth about hand sanitizers.

Topics: hand hygiene, Restroom Care, workplace wellness

Flu Vaccine Warning by CDC is Reminder of Prevention & Important Role of Hand Hygiene

Guest Post By: James Arbogast, Vice President of Hygiene Science and Public Health Advancements, GOJO

As we enter into what is typically the height of flu season, health officials are warning of the potential for the season to be particularly severe. In fact, states across the nation are already affected, with widespread flu already hitting several regions. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s vaccine may have a diminished impact because the strain of the H3N2 flu virus has significantly mutated. Vaccines are developed based on predictive information, almost a year in advance of the season in which they are used. The path of mutation and most common flu strains can be unpredictable. The flu vaccine still provides great value in that vaccinated people are less likely to get infected and may have a milder illness if they do become infected.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, education

2014- A Year in Review: Sustainability, Cleaning Tips & Industry News

By: Briana Smith, Social Media & Product Branding Specialist, WAXIE Sanitary Supply

It’s always interesting to look back and reflect on the twists and turns of what was going on during the course of a year. Checking out the major milestones that have been achieved, world happenings, new industry innovations, upcoming trends and the like. Contemplating which of these trends may continue forth into the new year.

Sustainability is no longer a trend, but a lifestyle that society is embracing more and more each year. We'll continue to see new innovations in a variety of products, accessories & ways of doing things that will make it easier to practice both individually & for businesses. Water conservation in particular has been a hot topic – the drought in the West is not something that will be gone quickly and has caused many to rethink water usage and consumption.

Topics: hand hygiene, green cleaning, company news

Taking a Closer Look at Hand Hygiene this Handwashing Awareness Week

Guest Post By: James Arbogast, Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancement, GOJO

Handwashing Awareness Week is a week-long campaign to educate people on the importance of handwashing as a preventive measure to take to reduce the risk of getting ill.

The Importance of Good Hand Hygiene

It has been reported that more than 80% of illnesses can be transmitted by the hands. This means that no matter what you touch, microorganisms often stick to your hands. Then, you might touch your face, mouth, nose and eyes and are basically ingesting those germs and putting yourself at risk for illness or infection. This is why good hand hygiene is so important. In fact, hand hygiene is one of the most important preventive measures we can take to reduce the spread of illness-causing germs.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, education

Hand Washing Helps Prevent the Spread of Infectious Diseases

So Why Aren't People Doing It?

By: Briana Smith, Social Media & Product Branding Specialist, WAXIE Sanitary Supply

Infection prevention is of great importance right now, especially with Ebola and Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) featuring prominently in the news headlines. It’s even more important than ever to educate and promote proper hand hygiene not only at hospitals and healthcare facilities, but for everyone in the community, including children. Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection transmission from one person to another, and it the easiest to do.

Bacteria & viruses can spread easily from one person to another whether through direct contact or when someone touches a surface contaminated by someone else who is infectious. Hand washing is considered ubiquitous when discussing infection prevention, but the problem is not everyone is actually doing it.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, education