Wash Hands Here’s a tip from the experts to help you and your household stay safe from coronavirus COVID-19.

One of the most important actions to prevent COVID-19 — wash your hands often throughout the day. But wash them in a particular way that really works. Here are some suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control. CDC recommends five steps for effective hand washing to prevent spread of COVID-19.

* Wet your hands with running water — either warm or cool is fine. Turn off the tap and apply soap.

* Lather your hands by rubbing them together, making sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.

* The process should take 20 seconds, long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, or, if you are wanting to branch out, the choruses to such classics as Prince’s “Raspberry Beret,” Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” or Toto’s “Africa.” * Rinse under running water.

* Finally, dry them on a clean towel.

One expert reminds us how important this action is and reminds what we can and cannot control. “You can’t necessarily control what you touch. You can’t control who else touched it. But you can look after your own hands,” says Dr. Elizabeth of Boston’s Simmon’s College.

This series of Voice of Vashon public service announcements on COVID-19 prevention has been compiled from advice of experts, including county, state and federal health agencies.

This message was posted at 12pm on Monday and will be updated as needed.