With the new reality brought by the novel coronavirus, most households in America have begun to take safety precautions seriously. Simple activities like going to the gas station or the grocery have become sources of mild unease, as these areas can be points of contact with people who are asymptomatic bearers of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that handwashing, avoiding contact, and wearing face masks are the most effective ways of stopping the virus from spreading. Refraining from touching the face is also a preventive measure, as unwashed hands can transmit the infection through the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Using medical gloves to stem transmission
To date, the CDC only recommends the use of gloves in select situations encountered by non-hospital staff. According to them, gloves should be used when touching buttons or handles on a gas pump, when cleaning or disinfecting surfaces, or when handling anything that has made contact with an infected person.
After using gloves, they recommend that people dispose of these properly, as gloves that are discarded in haste may be a source for the virus’ spread. Improperly pulling away gloves can also contaminate the hands being protected, which negates their purpose.
The CDC reiterates that gloves are not necessary for trips to the grocery, when purchasing medicine from a pharmacy, or for completing other essential transactions.
Why glove use does not equate to safety
People who work in the healthcare setting are trained in following medical protocols for donning and disposing of personnel protective equipment, gloves included. They also follow the recommended timeframe for using these materials; gloves, for example, should not be reused, especially after coming into contact with surfaces that may have been contaminated.
Those who are not aware of these safety precautions, though, are likely to be irresponsible when using gloves. For example, using torn gloves is as effective as not using any hand protection at all, and holding a shopping cart and then one’s mobile phone can just as easily cross-contaminate household items, glove use notwithstanding.
Glove use also provides people with a false sense of security, and it may possibly lead to them relaxing on more effective measures like handwashing.
What is effective against COVID-19?
Social distancing coupled with frequent handwashing is the primary way of stopping the spread of the virus. Thoroughly following the steps for effective handwashing, as shown in the materials on the CDC’s website, will greatly reduce a person’s likelihood of getting the disease.
Boosting the immune system through exercise, a proper diet, regularly cleaning and disinfecting one’s home, and taking vitamins is also recommended. Extraneous materials like masks, gloves, and disposable disinfectant wipes may help people in the short term.
However, if these are improperly discarded, they can lead to more people contracting the virus. If someone picks up a discarded glove, for example, their hands will be contaminated by whatever bacteria or viruses are alive on the material.
Conclusion
Being mindful of how one’s actions impact his or her community, in the end, is just as important as any personal protective measure an ordinary person can take.
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