Tracy Strickland was the guest speaker Jan. 27 at the Trumann Lions Club. Strickland is with NicePak of Jonesboro and works with their My Healthy Arkansas initiative with Gov. Mike Beebe's office. (Miranda Remaklus / Democrat Tribune photo)

With staph infections, flu and other illnesses just waiting to attack, washing your hands is very important.

Tracy Strickland, who works with NicePak in Jonesboro with Gov. Mike Beebe's My Healthy Arkansas initiative, passionately spoke about the benefits of cleanliness as the guest speaker at the Trumann Lions Club on Jan. 27.

The My Healthy Arkansas initiative was put in place after an outbreak of methicillin-resistant staphyloccus aureus (MRSA), also known as a staph infection, at a school in Jonesboro.

"Staph is pretty rampant in Jonesboro," Strickland said. "Dr. Carl J. Abraham and I went in to all of the schools in Jonesboro and educated them on how to properly wash their hands. We recommend singing the ABCs slowly while using soap and warm water. Since we started doing that, staph went down fifty percent. Just wash your hands. It is that easy."

Strickland added that through the My Healthy Arkansas initiative, NicePak has placed Sanitation Stations containing packages of sanitizer wipes at various locations around Jonesboro including the mall and grocery stores.

Strickland said staph can be found any where. "Staph can be found on computer keyboards and equipment, cell phones, door handles, remote controls. It is every where."

Strickland said a possible contributor to the issue of staph is that people use antibiotics any time they get sick, even when they probably do not need to take an antibiotic.

"Infections have mutated into something much stronger because are bodies are becoming immune to the effect of antibiotics," she said. "Antibiotics are used way too much. People will use antibiotics in their prescription for a couple of days, instead of taking all as prescribed. They will take it for a couple of days and then stockpile it for the next time they are sick. We must stop doing this."

When asked if it was better to use hand sanitizer or soap and water to clean your hands, Strickland said, "Hand washing is always your best bet."