Sanitation and hygiene

Simply put, everyone is fussing about proper hygiene these days. I have never seen so many antibacterial gels and alcohol in public places more than ever before. Bathrooms seem to be much cleaner and extra attention is placed in disposing waste properly. There is a proverb that says “ hygiene is two thirds of health” and with the recent outbreak which has affected the world, humankind is beginning to understand that the biggest wealth we all have is indeed our health.

In school we teach our children at a very young age why cleanliness is important. A practice we take to adulthood. We are taught to throw away trash properly, wash our hands and bring a proper handkerchief to class. I remember how my handkerchiefs were even color coded for every day of the week as it was mandatory to have one especially used for when we  coughed or sneezed.

Part of growing up was a hygiene routine that was absolutely necessary not only to keep ourselves looking spotless but rather, to keep ourselves disease free. This is the most important part about hygiene and it starts with you and me.

It bothered us so much to see a beautiful tourist destination such as Boracay filled with filth and yet the bottom line was in fact about personal hygiene and proper sanitation which begins with ourselves and our practices.

The world has been affected by pandemics before and technology is helping us see clearer the best practices that need to be further emphasized when it comes to issues of sanitation and proper hygiene. We need to take active roles in prioritizing not only our own health but in consideration also of the health of others.

There is a stigma in all this that keeps us from doing the right thing and that is also because society as a whole needs to be further educated about taking responsibility for our own health. While small acts of cleanliness are taught to us as children, bigger acts of responsibility and accountability are required of us all when faced by pandemics.

For instance, if wearing masks or coughing away from people or even going to the extent of self quarantine after a trip is what would require us to ensure public health safety, then we must cooperate and do our parts. The point therefore is, the basic learning we had as children must propel us to act accordingly as adults. Safety works they say , when people work together. Perhaps today’s crisis is a chance to bring the world together and if so, it’s time we all go back to basics and make cleanliness an integral part of our everyday lives.