WAAW interview: 15 year old Merhawi from Sweden knows when to wash his hands

2024-10-18

ReAct's one-week work experience student Charlie asked his friend Merhawi a few questions. Merhawi is fifteen years old and lives in Sala, Sweden. In his spare time he likes to play football and hang out with friends. See Merre's (as he is called) responses about antibiotic resistance and hand washing.

Merre likes to hang with friends and play soccer. Photo: Charlie Holm.

Have you heard of antibiotic resistance?

– No, I have actually never heard of it. Antibiotic resistance.

What do you think it could be about?

– I think it is about some sort of medicine.

Merre washes his hands several times a day. Photo: Charlie Holm.

During a day – when do you usually wash your hands?

– I usually wash my hands in the morning, before lunch at school and when I get home from school.

Do you wash your hands now as much as during COVID-19?

– No, I don’t wash my hands as much as during corona times. Because before you had to wash your hands almost all the time when you were going to eat and in school there was always a lady who said that you should wash your hands. When you were going to eat and after, coming in from the school yard, but now you are not as strict about it and I think that is quite bad.

Do you wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating?

– Yes, it goes without saying that if you do not wash your hands after going to the bathroom, I think you are considered unhygienic and there is a greater risk of infections. For others and yourself.

– I usually wash my hands before I eat. But after I eat I usually forget and maybe that’s not so good.