{"id":112171,"date":"2020-08-24T14:45:39","date_gmt":"2020-08-24T18:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=112171"},"modified":"2020-09-25T14:58:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-25T18:58:55","slug":"portable-handwashing-stations-allow-students-to-lather-up-before-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/portable-handwashing-stations-allow-students-to-lather-up-before-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Portable Handwashing Stations Allow Students to Lather Up Before Class"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fresh off her morning shift at her part-time job on UCF\u2019s main campus, health sciences<\/a> senior Danielle Tellier was walking to her car when a voice called out, \u201cWould you like to wash your hands?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tellier stopped at the portable sinks stationed alongside the Reflecting Pond and took advantage of the opportunity to freshen up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is an interesting idea,\u201d Tellier says of the touch-free sinks, a new initiative offered by UCF Wellness and Health Promotion Services<\/a>. \u201cI like it especially because this area is usually a spot with a lot of activity \u2014 people listening to music or student organizations tabling out here \u2014 so it\u2019s a great way to keep us protected.\u201d<\/p>\n

UCF Wellness and Health Promotion Services promotes healthy lifestyle habits associated with higher academic performance by providing outreach and educational workshops. Their wide array of services includes free HIV testing, cooking demonstrations, healthy recipes, tutorials on mindfulness, couponing and wellness coaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cWHPS wants to reduce as many barriers to self-care as we can. We want people to be as prepared as possible and continue the behavior of handwashing, especially through flu season.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The department\u2019s latest outreach measure is bringing portable sinks to UCF, which will give students another option to sanitize their hands before attending classes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing for at least 20 seconds is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hope is this will help reduce anxiety around our current situation,\u201d says director Maureen Hawkins. \u201cWHPS wants to reduce as many barriers to self-care as we can. We want people to be as prepared as possible and continue the behavior of handwashing, especially through flu season.\u201d<\/p>\n