We are more likely to catch Covid-19 if we keep touching our face with our fingers. That’s because we could transfer the virus from a surface to our mouth and nose if we do. The problem is it’s a human thing, says Fernardo Duarte in Future Health. We know of ways to stop touching our faces with fingers so often. Would you like to know more?
Why Finding Ways to Stop Touching Our Faces Matters
This behavior pattern helps the Covid-19 virus migrate between people. So why do we keep doing it when we know we should stop. Psychologist at University of Leipzig, Germany Martin Grunwald says it’s a ‘fundamental behavior of our species’. While it seldom communicates messages directly, it does play a role in our emotional and cognitive functions.
Some human scientists say touching our faces releases the oxytocin hormone that calms us. Others believe it signals the transition from one social event to the next. Still more think it helps control our emotions and attention span. So if this natural movement is essential, we need to find ways to stop touching our faces so often.
Some Practical Suggestions to Consider
Wearing a face mask can help, although by now we know these are not foolproof. Using some object to gently scratch simply moves the problem, because that could carry the infection too. There’s no time to wash our hands every minute. Fernardo Duarte says we need to find new ways to stop touching our faces with our fingers.
He suggests touching our faces with the backs of our forearms or wrists on our less dominant arms. Left-handed people could do this with their right arms and wrists for example. This solution is not perfect either. But it seems a step in the right direction to help avoid entering the incubation stage.
Related
How Long a Covid Virus Survives on Surfaces
Covid-19 Was Like a Bomb Says Italian Prof
Preview Image: Moment of Hesitation
