apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We've called in sick today. Throat is on fire, head feels like it's filled with packing foam, and I'm only able to move as quickly as a 95 year old Boca Raton retiree. Goodbye summer, hello cold and flu season. So here's a reminder to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, whether at home or away, taking these steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

* Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm-hot water if it is available. * Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces, making sure to scrub under fingernails. Avoid using anti-bacterial soaps; they've been shown to be no more effective than regular soap, and also breed super antibiotic-resistant bugs. * Continue rubbing hands for at least 20 seconds. Sing "Happy Birthday" twice or go through the alphabet slowly. Remember to do this silently in your head when out in public, lest people think you're an oversized preschool child. * Rinse hands well under running water * Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet, and use another to open door handle to leave.