News anchors admit to not washing their feet in the shower, sparking global debate on hygiene

When it comes to hygiene and cleanliness, one has to be cautious about their practices. Things like germs and bacteria can be picked up from anywhere and are not always washed off easily. News anchors from TODAY, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, have stirred a global debate on hygiene after publicly agreeing that there is no need to wash one’s feet while having a shower. In a video shared by @jennandfriends, the reporters are seated with TODAY’s editorial director, Arianna Davis, who has a different opinion and people are conflicted as to what the right practice is. Fortunately, there are answers.

The video captured the duo engrossed in a conversation about washing feet while showering. The latter specifically referred to bending to reach one’s feet and scrubbing them as any other body part to wash them off while showering. “No, no,” Kotb immediately jumped in. Hager agreed with her. The former then noted that she doesn’t scrub her feet while showering. “I just feel like everything's rolling on down that way anyway. They’re getting clean.” she confidently said. Davis jumped into the conversation and said, “I’ve gotta differ with you ladies,” admitting that she doesn’t skip washing her feet. “There’s a lot happening down there,” she remarked. 

Hager added that a body map she came across did reveal the feet as one of the parts to be washed. However, the duo was not on board with the idea. Many people had different opinions to share. Some agreed that the water washing away the feet on its own after flowing down is more than enough. However, others pointed out that it is crucial to scrub all those germs away. @nayy_simone explained, “When you’re washing the dishes, are the other dishes automatically clean because the soap from one dish fell off? No, scrub please!” @kiwicaitly added, “Girl, I take a scrub brush to my feet every time.” 

@1972pac noted, “I haven’t washed my feet my whole life. My skin is smooth and my feet never smell.” @wtftaylorsversion remarked, “Hoda is my spirit animal.” While everyone is entitled to their opinion, science and medical experts have a clear say—you need to wash your feet. The NHS (National Health Service) and CDC (Center for Disease Control), both recommend washing your feet with soap and water every day. This is a primary requisite for foot hygiene, per BBC Future. The latter is crucial to keep away the many foot infections, diseases and other health conditions people face. Washing feet daily also keeps away odor and that’s just one of the benefits. 

"The foot – especially between the toes – is quite a moist, humid and warm environment, so it can be a breeding ground for microbes," says Holly Wilkinson, a lecturer in wound healing at the University of Hull in the UK. There are around 600 sweat glands per square centimeter in the feet, which is reportedly more than any other part of the body. This means there is more than enough space for a wide range of bacteria to feast on your feet. Given the many surfaces we encounter while walking, it’s a piece of cake for this bacteria to settle. So if you want to pick a side, stick with the experts—wash your feet!