October 15: Celebrate Global Handwashing Day
**UPDATE** This article was published on March 3, 2020. Information presented in this article may no longer be relevant or accurate. Please contact local health agencies and/or the CDC for the most up-to-date information.
The COVID-19 pandemic provides an important reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy is also one of the simplest — handwashing with soap and water. Keeping hands clean can prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
