The importance of handwashing - 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English, Neil and Georgina discuss the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of germs and diseases. They mention Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss, a 19th-century doctor who first realized the significance of clean hands in medical settings. Val Curtis from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine shares her insights on promoting hygiene, highlighting that presenting scientific evidence positively is more effective than forceful communication. The episode underscores that handwashing is a crucial global health issue, especially in areas lacking proper sanitation.

Takeaways

• 😷 The importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of germs and viruses is highlighted in the program.
• 🤔 A riddle about something light as a feather but not held for long is used to introduce the topic of breath.
• 🌐 The global significance of fighting germs, especially in the context of the coronavirus outbreak, is discussed.
• 👨‍⚕️ Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweiss is recognized as a pioneer in understanding the role of hand hygiene in preventing diseases.
• 🏆 A quiz question about Semmelweiss's fate is presented, with the correct answer being that he ended up in a hospital for mentally ill people.
• 🌟 Val Curtis, a director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is influenced by Semmelweiss and considers him her 'patron saint'.
• 🧼 Handwashing is identified as a crucial method for preventing infections, especially in developing countries.
• 📈 Scientific evidence supports the belief that handwashing could save a million lives, making it a significant global health issue.
• 📚 Val Curtis emphasizes the importance of communicating health messages positively and with evidence, rather than through forceful or argumentative means.
• 🌍 The program concludes by reinforcing the message of the importance of handwashing for personal hygiene and disease prevention.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the 6 Minute English episode?

The main topic of discussion is the importance of handwashing in the prevention of the spread of germs and viruses.

What riddle does Georgina present to Neil at the beginning of the episode?

The riddle is 'I’m as light as a feather, but no one can hold me for very long.' The answer is 'Your breath.'

What is the second riddle Neil presents to Georgina, and what is the answer?

The riddle is 'I’m so big I’m everywhere but so small, you can’t see me.' The answer is 'Germs.'

Who is Ignaz Semmelweiss and why is he significant in the context of this episode?

Ignaz Semmelweiss is a 19th-century Hungarian doctor known as the 'saviour of mothers' for his work in keeping maternity wards germ-free. He is significant as he was the first to realize the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of diseases.

What is the quiz question posed by Neil about Ignaz Semmelweiss, and what are the possible answers?

The quiz question is 'What happened to Ignaz Semmelweiss in the end?' with possible answers being: A. He won the Nobel prize, B. He ended up in hospital for mentally ill people, C. He started the first company to produce hand soap.

What is the correct answer to the quiz question about Ignaz Semmelweiss' fate?

The correct answer is B. He ended up in hospital for mentally ill people.

Who is Val Curtis and what is her connection to the topic of handwashing?

Val Curtis is a director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has been working on improving hygiene, particularly in developing countries, and considers Dr. Semmelweiss her 'patron saint' for his pioneering work on handwashing.

What is the role of scientific evidence in promoting the importance of handwashing according to Val Curtis?

Scientific evidence supports the belief that handwashing can help save a million lives. Val Curtis emphasizes the importance of presenting this evidence in a positive, scientific way to convince people of the necessity of handwashing.

What is the significance of the phrase 'wash your hands' in the context of global health?

The phrase 'wash your hands' is a simple yet powerful message for promoting hygiene and preventing the spread of infections. It has become an important global issue, especially in areas with limited access to sanitation.

How does the episode suggest that the message of handwashing should be communicated to be most effective?

The episode suggests that the message should be communicated in a positive and scientific manner rather than through forceful or argumentative speech, which can be off-putting.

What is the final reminder given to the listeners by the hosts of 6 Minute English?

The final reminder is to stay safe and remember to wash their hands regularly.

Outlines

00:00

😷 The Importance of Handwashing

This paragraph introduces the topic of handwashing and its critical role in preventing the spread of germs and viruses, particularly in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. It presents a riddle to engage the audience and introduces the historical figure Ignaz Semmelweiss, known for his work in reducing infections in maternity wards through hand hygiene. The segment also includes a quiz question about Semmelweiss's fate, hinting at his unrecognized contributions during his lifetime.

05:01

🌟 Legacy and Lessons from Dr. Semmelweiss

The second paragraph delves into the legacy of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss, who is considered a 'patron saint' of hygiene by Val Curtis, a director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It discusses the significance of Semmelweiss's work in identifying the importance of handwashing in preventing infections and how this message has been communicated effectively over time. The paragraph also highlights the importance of presenting scientific evidence positively to influence behavior change, as demonstrated by the impact of a 2003 paper that showed handwashing could save a million lives.

Keywords

💡Hygiene

Hygiene refers to the set of practices that help maintain health and prevent diseases, particularly through cleanliness. In the video, hygiene is a central theme as it discusses the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of germs and diseases, especially in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

💡Germs

Germs are microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that can cause disease. The script uses the term 'germs' to illustrate the invisible threat that can be mitigated through proper hygiene practices like handwashing, as mentioned by the riddle and the discussion on the coronavirus outbreak.

💡Handwashing

Handwashing is the act of cleaning one's hands with water and soap to remove dirt, grease, and microbes. It is highlighted in the video as a crucial method for preventing the transmission of infections, supported by scientific evidence and historical examples like Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss's work.

💡Ignaz Semmelweiss

Ignaz Semmelweiss was a 19th-century Hungarian doctor known for his advocacy of hand hygiene in medical practice. The video script refers to him as a 'scientific hero' and the 'saviour of mothers' for his efforts in reducing childbed fever in maternity wards, emphasizing his role in the history of hygiene.

💡Disease Prevention

Disease prevention involves measures taken to stop or reduce the spread of diseases. The video script discusses handwashing as one of the most effective means of disease prevention, especially in developing countries, as advocated by Val Curtis and historically by Dr. Semmelweiss.

💡Val Curtis

Val Curtis is a director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is referred to in the script as a modern-day champion of handwashing and hygiene. She calls Dr. Semmelweiss her 'patron saint,' indicating his influence on her work in promoting hygiene practices.

💡Patron Saint

A 'patron saint' is a saint who is considered to provide assistance or guidance to a specific group or area. In the script, Val Curtis uses this term metaphorically to describe Dr. Semmelweiss's inspirational role in her career, emphasizing his lasting impact on the field of hygiene.

💡Science Communication

Science communication is the exchange of scientific information between researchers and the public. The video script discusses the challenges of communicating the importance of hygiene, particularly handwashing, and how Val Curtis learned from Dr. Semmelweiss's approach to convey scientific messages effectively.

💡Evidence-based

Evidence-based refers to the practice of making decisions or judgments based on scientific evidence. The script mentions that the promotion of handwashing as a life-saving practice was bolstered by evidence-based research, which helped to convince people of its importance.

💡Sanitation

Sanitation refers to the infrastructure and hygiene practices that ensure clean and safe conditions for health. The video script touches on the importance of handwashing in the context of sanitation, especially in areas lacking access to clean facilities.

💡Outbreak

An outbreak is a sudden increase in the occurrence of a disease. The script uses the term in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a renewed focus on the importance of handwashing and other hygiene practices to prevent disease spread.

Highlights

6 Minute English from BBC Learning English discusses the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of germs and viruses.

Introduction of a riddle to engage the audience and lead into the topic of the program.

The significance of breath and germs in the context of disease prevention.

The historical figure Ignaz Semmelweiss, known for his contributions to hygiene in maternity wards.

Semmelweiss's recognition of the importance of hand cleanliness in preventing disease transmission.

Val Curtis, a director at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, considers Semmelweiss her 'patron saint'.

Curtis's work focuses on improving hygiene practices, especially in developing countries.

The challenge of communicating the importance of hygiene to the public.

A paper published in 2003 provided evidence that handwashing could save a million lives.

The lesson from Semmelweiss: presenting data positively and patiently rather than aggressively.

Handwashing as a global issue, especially in areas without access to clean sanitation.

The effectiveness of presenting scientific evidence in a positive and scientific manner.

The quiz question about the fate of Dr. Semmelweiss and the revelation of his unfortunate end.

The role of scientific evidence in supporting the belief in the importance of handwashing.

The enduring influence of Ignaz Semmelweiss as a symbol of hygiene and a guide for modern doctors.

The difficulty of communicating the 'wash your hands' message worldwide and the importance of approach.

A closing reminder of the importance of handwashing for personal hygiene and disease prevention.

Transcripts

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning

English. I’m Neil.

And I’m Georgina. I’ve got a puzzle for

you, Neil. Ready?

Sure.

OK. It’s a riddle. I’m as light as a feather

but no one can hold me for very long.

What am I?

Hmmm… as light as a feather but no one can

hold you… No idea. What are you?

Your breath.

Ah, yes, I see. OK, I’ve got one for you

- I’m so big I’m everywhere but so small

you can’t see me. What am I?

You’re everywhere but I can’t see you?

Hmmm, tricky… I give up.

The answer is – germs! With the outbreak

of coronavirus, people around the world have

rediscovered the importance of fighting germs

to stop the spread of disease.

In this programme we’ll be the discussing

the importance of handwashing in the prevention

of germs and viruses. And we’ll start off

by meeting the first person to realise that

keeping hands clean can really help prevent

diseases being passed on.

Ah… do you mean the19th century Hungarian

doctor, Ignaz Semmelweiss? He was

known as the ‘saviour of mothers’ for

keeping maternity

wards germ-free and he had a very interesting

life. But do you know what happened to him

in the end? That’s my quiz question.

Was it: A. He won the Nobel prize,

B. He ended up in hospital for mentally ill

people, or

C. He started the first company to produce

hand soap.

Dr Semmelweiss sounds like a scientific hero

so I’ll say, a) he won the Nobel prize.

OK. We’ll find out later if you were right.

What’s for sure is that Ignaz Semmelweiss

was a hero to Val Curtis, a director at the

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Here she is talking to BBC Radio 4’s

Science Stories:

Semmelweiss is kind of my patron saint.

Handwashing has been my life for the last

thirty years working on trying to improve hygiene,

mostly in developing countries and he

was really the first to identify the importance

of keeping hands clean in the prevention

of the transmission of infection. And

since the beginning of my career

working in public health I’ve been

trying to understand how diseases get spread

and what the best way of preventing it is,

and handwashing jumped out as being the most

important means of preventing infections,

particularly in developing countries.

Val’s work is all about improving hygiene

- practices for maintaining health and preventing

disease, especially through cleanliness.

And she was clearly influenced by the work

of Dr Semmelweiss because she calls him her

'patron saint' - a kind of guide and protector

believed to give special help or inspiration.

But Dr Semmelweiss is also a good example

of science communication. Getting the message

out so people understand the importance of

hygiene is difficult. And ‘wash your hands’

jumped out - or made a strong impact - as

a simple message to communicate.

Here’s Val again:

It wasn’t until we wrote a paper in 2003

that showed the evidence that handwashing

could save a million lives that actually people

started to take it seriously and handwashing

became a big important issue internationally.

So for me the lesson from Semmelweiss is:

don’t scream and shout and accuse people

of doing things wrongly but patiently get

the data out there and tell your story in

a positive way.

The idea that handwashing is an essential

part of hygiene is supported by scientific

evidence - the facts and information used

to show that a belief is true - in this case,

Val’s belief that handwashing could help

save a million lives.

So, handwashing has become an important

global issue - or topic of discussion - especially

in places without access to clean sanitation

and toilets.

Val also mentions that if you want people

to listen to your message, it’s better to

present the evidence in a positive, scientific

way instead of screaming and shouting - speaking

in a forceful or even angry way to convince

people you’re right.

Right, people don’t listen if you scream

and shout at them - they just think you’re

strange.

Which brings me back to today’s quiz question.

Remember, I asked you what happened to

Dr Semmelweiss in the end?

…and I said a) he won the Nobel prize.

Well, I’m afraid the answer was b) he

ended up in hospital for mentally ill people.

Today we’ve been talking about handwashing,

one of the single best ways to improve personal

hygiene - the prevention of disease by keeping

clean. Recently, handwashing has become

a top global issue - a subject or topic people

are thinking and talking about.

Scientific evidence - the facts and information

used to prove ideas true or valid - shows

that handwashing jumped out - or was easily

noticed - as one of the most important methods

to stop the spread of infection.

The work of 19th century scientist

Ignaz Semmelweiss was so inspiring that

even today, some doctors consider him

the patron saint of hygiene - an

expression referring to a protecting or guiding

saint believed to give special help or inspiration.

But communicating the message of

‘wash your hands’ to people around the

world is hard, especially if you just scream

and shout - or try to convince someone by

talking to them in a forceful or

argumentative way.

OK, Neil, the scientific evidence has convinced

me - I promise to make sure I regularly wash

my hands.

That’s all from us today but join us again

soon for more topical discussion and vocabulary

here at BBC Learning English's 6 Minute English.

Stay safe and remember to wash your hands!

Bye for now.

Bye!