By this point this shouldn’t need to be said, but just in case someone does still need to hear this: Wash your hands, people.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent contracting the coronavirus – for which there is not yet a vaccine – is to avoid being exposed to it. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. That means hand washing, combined with other preventative measures like proper distancing, is a crucial element of helping slow and stop the spread of this pandemic.

The CDC recommends washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Here’s the thing. As our community, our state, our nation and our world deals with this continuing situation, we’re hearing more and more about the lack of needed resources – everything from shortages of masks and ventilators to a deficiency of ICU beds and morgue space.

For the average person, there’s not much we can do about those kinds of shortages.

There is no lack, however, of soap and water, and washing our hands regularly is something we all can do to step up and be responsible during this crisis.

If you’re one to typically rinse of a squirt of soap under a hasty stream of water in the space of five seconds flat – or worse, if you’re someone who does not have  a hand-washing habit at all – now is the time to mend your ways.

So let’s spell it out:

1. Wet your hands under clean, running water.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds – the current conventional suggestion is to hum the Happy Birthday song twice.
4. Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands on a paper towel or air dry.

That’s five easy steps to a less-germy life – something we all need right now.

Wash your own hands, and make sure your children and other loved ones are following suit.