With theatres and concert halls closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, musicians and artists are taking to the internet, both to reach out to audiences craving the arts during lockdowns and self-isolation, and with an important message about hand washing. A boom in hand washing videos has seen artists across the world providing alternative soundtracks to Happy Birthday (which, sung twice, is the recommended amount of scrubbing time for an effective hand washing).

Musicians of the San Diego Symphony

Musicians from the San Diego Symphony created this video, using the melody Frère Jacques in the Copley Symphony Hall Lower Lobby women’s restroom.

Meanwhile, Iranian mime artist Danial Kheirkhah has made a splash with his funny hand washing video, using Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No 5 as the soundtrack.

American singer Gloria Gaynor has gone with a classic, I Will Survive, in her hand washing video, while the New York Times has commissioned musical theatre duo, composer Marc Shaiman...