Will Pandemic Be the Catalyst for Life-Long Handwashing Habit?

It’s safe to say the COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest influence on personal hygiene in most people’s lives in recent times. A poll from Cascades PRO seems to prove this point, with 74% of more than 1,100 surveyed Americans reporting they wash their hands more now than before the pandemic, compared to 3% who wash their hands less now than before the pandemic and 23% who wash their hands with the same frequency now as they did pre-pandemic.

Most importantly, the most survey respondents say the pandemic has influenced them to hold onto their handwashing habit, with 88% reporting they will continue to wash their hands more frequently, even after the pandemic ends, while the rest say they will go back to their pre-pandemic handwashing frequency at the end of the pandemic.

Although the survey respondents placed a high value on frequent handwashing, most did not follow guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Only 31% reported washing their hands for 20 or more seconds, while 40% reported washing their hands for 11 to 20 seconds, 24% said they wash their hands for six to 10 seconds, and 5% said they wash their hands for two to five seconds.

In addition to handwashing frequency and habits, the Cascades consumer poll sought answers to a variety of hygiene topics such as the importance consumers place on the cleanliness of public and workplace facilities. The poll found:

• 56% of respondents clean their workspaces spaces more often now than before the pandemic
• 11% are extremely worried about hygiene in the workplace, compared to 15% who are very worried, 32% who are somewhat worried, 20% who are slightly worried, and 22% who are not at all worried
• After moving around in their workplace, 51% reported they use hand sanitizer and 40% reported they washed their hands.