A single hand wash can help lessen the spread of germs, and it only takes 20 seconds.

Manila Water Foundation with partners P&G Safeguard, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, and the Department of Education recently celebrated Global Handwashing Day with the culmination of the construction of 285 handwashing facilities.

Because of this project, the National Capital Region is on track to having all of its schools star-rated in the DepEd Wash in Schools program.

"Scientists and doctors would agree that the main way germs infect us is through our hands," David Khoo, principal scientist of P&G's Health and Hygiene Institute, said.

Germs spread every time we cover our mouth when we cough or sneeze, exchange money or any items through our hands, every toilet flush, and all the 23 times per hour that we unconsciously put our hands on our faces.

Khoo debunked common handwashing myths, such as having a bucket of water is not as effective in cleaning hands compared to washing with running water.

"Anytime you have a standing bucket of water (water that isn't flowing or running), the first time you use it, it may be clean. But after that, the germs may be left behind and they will grow. So, the next time you use it, you will potentially reinfect and contaminate your hands with the germs that are growing in that standing water," he said.

With the power of a single hand wash, we can protect the future of our nation — especially our students.