Has a twenty second counter for the bathroom been invented yet?
To time washing my hands with soap to prevent Covid19? Like an egg timer but for 20 seconds.
I would like to buy one. Or if not then I will use my microwaves timer.
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24 Answers
What’s wrong with simply counting to twenty?
The new software for Apple Watch apparently does include this feature.
@elbanditoroso Not every ones twenty seconds is always arcuate or precise as needed.
My phone has a countdown feature, and a stopwatch.
Well, here’s what I did, because I would go nuts if I had to sing “Happy Birthday” to myself all the time: I went to YouTube, picked a piece of music I liked, and noted how much of it played in twenty seconds, going by YouTube’s timer.
Then I just let that much of it play in my head, and there was my counter.
When I got tired of one, I picked another.
=> Note that it isn’t crucial to stop at twenty seconds, so it’s fine to go over by a little. Better to be on the safe side.
I count to 120, then count backwards from to 20, and wash my hands the remainder of the time I am counting.
Who would bother manufacturing and marketing such a thing when the same function is already done by a million other devices out there?
Why don’t you all simply give your hands a thorough washing instead of complying to a pointless directive like willing little sheep?
We all have been washing our hands for at least that amount of time for forever, second nature.
Are we not children?
@Darth_Algar Believe me, people really need this. Think about the three minute timer for eggs, and two minute timer for teeth brushing.
@ucme Most people rub their hands under the running water for a few seconds, and that’s all. They have not been taught the correct way. This is similar to the necessary lessons on how to brush our teeth.
Brush teeth? Wouldn’t that get hair in my mouth?
@YARNLADY Well then, “most people” are unhygienic morons.
I would have said try a battery operated kitchen timer but on reflection it is best not to use a timer at all, as you would have to press a button or something to get it started on the countdown…with your unwashed hands !!
Why not work out some song lines that take that long and sing your way through?
Why not have a timer to make it just a bit less boring? What harm is there in making something a game?
@YARNLADY
The point was that if a person really needs a timer to perform basic functions there are many devices already on the market that fill that role.
A timer would be ineffective as you set the 20 seconds and it will take 5–10 seconds to get your hands under the water to start washing. My watch is a waterproof digital and also shows the seconds. I start washing my hands then check the seconds on my watch. I wash to what feels like long enough and check my watch again to make sure it has been a minimum of 20 seconds. I’ve done it enough times now that my mind is pretty damn accurate at this point.
Would it count as an invention? I doubt that you could get a patent for it. There would probably be a problem with criterion 4, the need to be “non-obvious”. Link
Maybe we could say “hey, GOOGLE (or SIRI)” set the timer for 20 seconds.
The Apple watch has a new app to measure/track hand washing coming out with the next iOS iteration. .
@RedDeerGuy1 I’ve been bombarded over the last few days with adverts for a wristband that warns you when you’re about to touch your face and it reminded me of you and your desire to invent unique gadgets:
This is one site
This is the 2nd site
Thought you’d enjoy checking them out. It’s not hand washing but it’s supposed to be better than hand washing
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