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| We Wrote You a Hand-Washing Song: Listen Up | We Wrote You a Hand-Washing Song: Listen Up |
| (3 days later) | |
| Thanks to coronavirus, the time has come for a new song to help us properly wash our hands. | Thanks to coronavirus, the time has come for a new song to help us properly wash our hands. |
| By Marc Shaiman | By Marc Shaiman |
| If you didn’t hate the Happy Birthday song already, you probably do now — it’s the song that we’ve all been told to sing twice as we wash our hands, to make sure we’ve done it long enough to be effective. Last week, it occurred to Susan Dominus, a reporter at The New York Times, that there should be an alternative, to spare the Happy Birthday song from so many unpleasant associations. This is when she called my co-lyricist, Scott Wittman, and me with a proposal: Maybe we could come up with an alternative? The new song would have to be fun — and, of course, last 20 seconds. | If you didn’t hate the Happy Birthday song already, you probably do now — it’s the song that we’ve all been told to sing twice as we wash our hands, to make sure we’ve done it long enough to be effective. Last week, it occurred to Susan Dominus, a reporter at The New York Times, that there should be an alternative, to spare the Happy Birthday song from so many unpleasant associations. This is when she called my co-lyricist, Scott Wittman, and me with a proposal: Maybe we could come up with an alternative? The new song would have to be fun — and, of course, last 20 seconds. |
| Being self-isolated makes one happy to have a project — plus, it would feel good to write something that might put a happy spin on this situation we are in, even if for just a few moments | Being self-isolated makes one happy to have a project — plus, it would feel good to write something that might put a happy spin on this situation we are in, even if for just a few moments |
| For the occasion, Scott and I — we wrote the songs for “Hairspray” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” among others — created “Twenty Seconds,” which will hopefully turn you and your children into mini Danny Kayes. (Google Danny Kaye right now, I’ll wait…). | For the occasion, Scott and I — we wrote the songs for “Hairspray” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” among others — created “Twenty Seconds,” which will hopefully turn you and your children into mini Danny Kayes. (Google Danny Kaye right now, I’ll wait…). |
| We sent the song to some Broadway friends to help perform our new hand washing anthem. And they have channeled their energy into these homemade videos. | We sent the song to some Broadway friends to help perform our new hand washing anthem. And they have channeled their energy into these homemade videos. |
| The first is Jake Ryan Flynn from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Mrs. Doubtfire:” | The first is Jake Ryan Flynn from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Mrs. Doubtfire:” |
| Then, we have Samantha Williams, formerly from “Dear Evan Hansen,” and the forthcoming revival of “Caroline, or Change:” | Then, we have Samantha Williams, formerly from “Dear Evan Hansen,” and the forthcoming revival of “Caroline, or Change:” |
| For some extra fun, here is yours truly: | For some extra fun, here is yours truly: |
| But why stop at just one song? We created not one, but two songs. The second one, with a huge tip of the hat to Barbra Streisand and her lyricist Lan O’Kun, is called “Half a Minute Waltz.” Try wrapping your tongue around these new hand-washing lyrics set to Chopin’s greatest hit. We are happy to have Broadway’s Bryce Pinkham (best known for his Tony-nominated performance in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”), to show you how it’s done. Wait till you see his over-the-shoulder paper towel toss! | But why stop at just one song? We created not one, but two songs. The second one, with a huge tip of the hat to Barbra Streisand and her lyricist Lan O’Kun, is called “Half a Minute Waltz.” Try wrapping your tongue around these new hand-washing lyrics set to Chopin’s greatest hit. We are happy to have Broadway’s Bryce Pinkham (best known for his Tony-nominated performance in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”), to show you how it’s done. Wait till you see his over-the-shoulder paper towel toss! |
| So now, dear reader, since so many of you may have some time on your hands — which hand-washing challenge can you meet? | So now, dear reader, since so many of you may have some time on your hands — which hand-washing challenge can you meet? |
| We’ve provided the lyrics for “Twenty Seconds” and the “Half a Minute Waltz” below. And although a cappella is one way to go, we also offer piano tracks and sheet music in varying keys for all, so whether you’re a soprano, alto, tenor or baritone, you’ve no excuse! | We’ve provided the lyrics for “Twenty Seconds” and the “Half a Minute Waltz” below. And although a cappella is one way to go, we also offer piano tracks and sheet music in varying keys for all, so whether you’re a soprano, alto, tenor or baritone, you’ve no excuse! |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Please make your own videos and post on Instagram at #20secondhandwash — extra points for perfect hand-washing form! At the very least, your hands will be clean. | Please make your own videos and post on Instagram at #20secondhandwash — extra points for perfect hand-washing form! At the very least, your hands will be clean. |
| Spread the word (not the germs)! As for Happy Birthday — let’s save it for happier occasions | Spread the word (not the germs)! As for Happy Birthday — let’s save it for happier occasions |
| Twenty seconds isn’t long, | Twenty seconds isn’t long, |
| Barely time to sing this song. | Barely time to sing this song. |
| There’s no time to get it wrong, | There’s no time to get it wrong, |
| Not in twenty seconds! | Not in twenty seconds! |
| All that’s left is fourteen secs, | All that’s left is fourteen secs, |
| To try to do what I must next. | To try to do what I must next. |
| I can’t talk, please send a text! | I can’t talk, please send a text! |
| I’ve only fourteen seconds. | I’ve only fourteen seconds. |
| Twenty seconds, now is five, | Twenty seconds, now is five, |
| So kick it into overdrive! | So kick it into overdrive! |
| Ain’t it great to say that I’ve, | Ain’t it great to say that I’ve, |
| Washed my hands for twenty seconds! | Washed my hands for twenty seconds! |
| Turn the water on and start your hands a rubbin’ | Turn the water on and start your hands a rubbin’ |
| Now it’s time to soap ‘em up and start to scrubbin’ | Now it’s time to soap ‘em up and start to scrubbin’ |
| You must work it up into a lather, | You must work it up into a lather, |
| Even though I know that you would rather, | Even though I know that you would rather, |
| Be outside where there is dirt for you to play, | Be outside where there is dirt for you to play, |
| But now’s the time for your to send the dirt away. | But now’s the time for your to send the dirt away. |
| So both your hands should wash away your troubles. | So both your hands should wash away your troubles. |
| Let your fingers dance among the bubbles. | Let your fingers dance among the bubbles. |
| Keep a steady pace and please try not to fidget, | Keep a steady pace and please try not to fidget, |
| Clean your thumbs and don’t forget to scrub each digit. | Clean your thumbs and don’t forget to scrub each digit. |
| Now it’s time to concentrate upon your nails, | Now it’s time to concentrate upon your nails, |
| For that is where the dirt can leave its secret trails. | For that is where the dirt can leave its secret trails. |
| Now it’s finally time for turning off the faucet. | Now it’s finally time for turning off the faucet. |
| Use a paper towel, then in the trash you’ll toss it. | Use a paper towel, then in the trash you’ll toss it. |
| To stay healthy this is what the world commands. | To stay healthy this is what the world commands. |
| Bravo to you! You washed your hands! | Bravo to you! You washed your hands! |
| Illustration by Super Freak | Illustration by Super Freak |