Flashback to the pandemic; zero germ day

During the pandemic Japan got a brand-new anniversary, well several of them actually. But of the new ones, the one that was most 'inspired' (for want of a better word) by the pandemic, was Zero Germ Day ばい菌ゼロの日 (baikin zero no hi). The idea was created by A‑one, a Nagoya‑based company that handles building cleaning and inspection.

Back in 2020, when COVID‑19 was spreading globally, they wanted to raise awareness about keeping spaces clean and reducing germs through proper disinfection. The date itself is a clever bit of number play: 2 → 1 → 0, a countdown that mirrors germs decreasing to zero. It’s simple, but it sticks.

Of course, the reality is that zero germs is impossible. Moreover, zero germs actually isn't a good thing. Many microbes are not only harmless, but essential for life. But "Zero Germ Day" serves as a reminder to reduce harmful germs and keep spaces clean. It is also a reminder of how lucky we are the pandemic is behind us.