Schools in Taiwan are taking every possible precaution to keep out COVID-19. Anything that could cause diseases to spread is being changed, including the way that students brush their teeth at school.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, students at Taiwanese elementary schools were encouraged to brush their teeth after lunch. They would gather around a sink and brush before heading off to their next class.
Obviously, this is no longer an option. Students are still brushing their teeth after lunch, but they must take turns and keep a safe distance from one another. Schools are now extending lunch hour to make sure everyone gets a turn at the sink.
Now, the K-12 Education Administration says that students can remain at their desks while they brush their teeth. To do this, they will need to prepare two cups--one filled with water for gargling and the other for spitting into after brushing. It has yet to be seen whether this will catch on. But the way schools see it, a pandemic is no excuse for forgetting good oral hygiene.