It's recent. It only started last year. It appeared out of the awareness that many infectious diseases are prevented just by frequently washing one's hands with soap. It is supposed to be part of children's education globally, but also targeting adults, specially in the third world.
Now, with the pandemic flu, people are repeatedly told to wash their hands. There are places where it's a bit laughable to watch people disinfect their hands, coming and going, as if they were performing some kind of dance. It reminds me of one great scene by the Marx Brothers.
(By the way, the one and only Groucho was a Libra, born on the 12th October, my Comedian of the Equinox).
Enjoy the scene and never mind the ridicule. It's better to be safe than sorry. Wash your hands for hygienically reasons, but never wash your hands from responsibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWau06EsfRY
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