Hip Hop Video Promotes Handwashing for 20 Seconds or More

Hand washing is one of the best and easiest ways for people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But it only works if you wash your hands properly: with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Some public health officials worry that young people may not be taking the outbreak seriously, even though they are at risk of serious complications and can spread the virus to others. Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive health behavior through the power of hip hop music, wants to change that. So, they’ve created the video 20 Seconds or More, featuring rapper and community health advocate Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Olajide Williams, Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and more than 40 noted individuals from the entertainment, sports, medical, civic and business sectors, including Ashanti, Jamie Foxx, Jordin Sparks, Chuck D, and Cedric the Entertainer. The video demonstrates good hand washing techniques and explains why this and other safety protocols – like social distancing – are some of our best tools to help stop the spread of this coronavirus.

“Personal safety measures are important against the highly contagious coronavirus,” says Dr. Williams, who is also a co-founder of HHPH, with Doug E. Fresh. “20 Seconds or More is designed to motivate young people and communities of color to engage in regular hand washing and social distancing, while also appealing to the general public.”

To watch the video, click here or watch above.