School is full of viruses and bacteria. Everything you touch has germs. Studies show that the most germ-filled place in a school is the cafeteria. Pathogens are transmitted through sneezing and coughing. With tons of staff and students all in one building, it is inevitable that colds and viruses will be spread around. What can we do to prevent getting sick? Wash your hands.

The USDA conducted a study with 383 people who were given the task of cooking a meal. Only 33% of people washed their hands. This means over 60% of people made a meal without washing their dirty hands.

Washing your hands prevents you, as well as others from getting sick. Just using hand sanitizer is not enough. “Hand sanitizer can help kill microbes, but it isn’t effective on all germs and will do nothing for other substances that may be on your hands,” says VeryWellHealth. Other than using hand sanitizer all the time, wash your hands instead.

Don’t be the person who uses the bathroom and doesn’t wash their hands. This causes tons of germs to spread to other parts of the school or building. Washing your hands is important to do before eating, after using the bathroom, and when you get home. Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.