An elevator pitch, 200m run & other things you can do in 20 seconds besides the corona-bombing handwash
It’s a long time to scrub your hands, but it’s enough to make world records.
By Akshay Sawai, ET Bureau |
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It’s a long time to stand at the sink and scrub your hands. But it’s enough to make world records or even sing a Michael Jackson song really fast.
Washing our hands frequently, 20 seconds at a time, will help us keep the coronavirus at bay, experts have told us for many days now. A virus-bombing hand scrub aside, what else can you do in 20 seconds or thereabouts? A lot. Read on.
Run 200m like Olympic sprinters
American sprinter Tommie Smith is remembered for his black glove salute on the podium of the 1968 Olympics after winning the 200m gold. But he ran the race in 19.83 seconds, becoming the first man to break the 20-second barrier. The current record is held by who else but Usain Bolt, who blazed home at the 2009 World Championships in 19.19 seconds.
Florence Griffith Joyner’s 21.34 seconds run in the 1988 Olympics remains the women’s world record. But that mark was set before random drug testing became mandatory. It is better to try to emulate Rio Olympics gold medallist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica (21.78 seconds).
Sing a Michael Jackson song very fast
As you wash your hands for 20 seconds, you can finish singing a good chunk of Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’, like John ‘Motormouth’ Moschitta Jr did in 1987. It is easy. You just need to speak at the rate of 583 words a minute. For practice, you could do what Moschitta Jr did as a child. Say the following line fast, again and again. “She stood on the balcony inexplicably mimicking him, hiccuping and amicably welcoming him in.”
Give an elevator pitch
This is for all funding or job seekers. You are in an elevator in an office building. A senior from a department you are interested in walks in. You want to make an impression so that it can translate into a job or at least a contact. You have, you guessed it, about 20 seconds.
Experts warn against flattery. They also warn against directly evincing interest in a job or funds. Be confident but respectful, and in the end ask for the person’s card or number. And then take it from there.
Washing our hands frequently, 20 seconds at a time, will help us keep the coronavirus at bay, experts have told us for many days now. A virus-bombing hand scrub aside, what else can you do in 20 seconds or thereabouts? A lot. Read on.
Run 200m like Olympic sprinters
American sprinter Tommie Smith is remembered for his black glove salute on the podium of the 1968 Olympics after winning the 200m gold. But he ran the race in 19.83 seconds, becoming the first man to break the 20-second barrier. The current record is held by who else but Usain Bolt, who blazed home at the 2009 World Championships in 19.19 seconds.
Florence Griffith Joyner’s 21.34 seconds run in the 1988 Olympics remains the women’s world record. But that mark was set before random drug testing became mandatory. It is better to try to emulate Rio Olympics gold medallist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica (21.78 seconds).
Sing a Michael Jackson song very fast
As you wash your hands for 20 seconds, you can finish singing a good chunk of Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad’, like John ‘Motormouth’ Moschitta Jr did in 1987. It is easy. You just need to speak at the rate of 583 words a minute. For practice, you could do what Moschitta Jr did as a child. Say the following line fast, again and again. “She stood on the balcony inexplicably mimicking him, hiccuping and amicably welcoming him in.”
Give an elevator pitch
This is for all funding or job seekers. You are in an elevator in an office building. A senior from a department you are interested in walks in. You want to make an impression so that it can translate into a job or at least a contact. You have, you guessed it, about 20 seconds.
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Experts warn against flattery. They also warn against directly evincing interest in a job or funds. Be confident but respectful, and in the end ask for the person’s card or number. And then take it from there.
Keeping your hands clean menas staying healthy. As easy as it appears, washing hands come with a lot of dos and don'ts that people are not aware of.
On World Hand Hygiene Day, here's a list of facts that will ensure you always choose the right way to wash your hands.
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