As new variants of the COVID-19 virus emerge throughout the world, COVID fatigue is real and something we all must battle to help curb the spread of the virus.

Almost two years into the initial U.S. outbreak of COVID-19 we’re tired of the saftey precautions and, frankly, exhausted from all the anxiety. 

Now that vaccines have been approved for children 5 to 11 years old, some of us might be getting a bit relaxed when it comes to COVID safety precautions. Health officials warn that now is the time to stay vigilant and to remind ourselves that a simple thing like handwashing can be a powerful weapon in battling COVID-19 and influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds to eliminate germs. That might be a hard concept for children to grasp.

December 1 thru 7 is National Handwashing Awareness Week and it’s a good opportunity to share a video from the Child and Family Services team at Gillette Children's. Certified Child Life Specialists Molly Burkle and Abby Horton have tips to help caregivers show children how to vigorously wash their hands. They promise handwashing can be fun—really!