Drying Hands in the Age of COVID-19

Washing hands properly is one of the primary ways of controlling the spread SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Drying hands properly is also important, as wet hands are more likely to provide an avenue for spreading pathogens. Yet even this seemingly simple act has reignited a contentious issue: what is the best way to dry your hands after hand washing?

Both the paper towel and high-speed electric hand dryer industries have claimed their products provide superior bathroom hygiene, with the paper towel industry touting better removal of pathogens and the hand dryer industry touting HEPA air filtration and less potentially contaminated litter.