You’d be forgiven for thinking that Global Handwashing Day, which occurs each October 15, is a new thing, but it began back in 2008.  Our prescient writers have been on the topic since before then..

Remember when SARS was stunning the world?  Zil-E-Huma Lodhi  summarizes what is known about a new virus spreading around the world in early 2003.  “It is unusual for a coronavirus to cause anything more serious than a cold, but the SARS virus has somehow mutated into a deadly infectious agent.”  Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), April 30, 2003.

They should call it handswashing.  Columnist Hazel Anaka finds that there are a number of tasks that require two hands.  “Using a hair dryer and brush or hooking up a bra was impossible.”  From Where I Sit – Five Simple Mistakes, July 8, 2011.