Final answer:
The hand wash sinks must be equipped with soap and water, which is essential for hand hygiene to prevent infections. The CDC emphasizes the importance of lathering with soap, rinsing thoroughly, and proper drying as part of the handwashing process, especially for preventing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hand wash sinks must be provided with soap and water. This is the basic and essential method for hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections. According to the CDC handwashing recommendations for the general public, the process starts with wetting the hands with clean, running water, then lathering your hands by rubbing them together with the soap which is crucial to cover all parts of the hands including the backs, between fingers, and under the nails. After lathering, it is important to rinse thoroughly, ensuring that water flows from the wrist to the fingertips. Finally, drying hands properly is an essential part of the process to avoid transferring microorganisms back onto clean hands.
Using soap and water is preferable to prevent the spread of illnesses like COVID-19 because soap molecules are able to break down the virus's lipid envelope, making it inactivate and thus reducing the risk of infection. Regular handwashing is also a fundamental practice for preventing waterborne diseases alongside public health education and vaccinations. It is worth mentioning that frequent use of antimicrobial soap can lead to an increased risk of infection due to the potential development of bacterial resistance.