The global pandemic has raised the hygiene awareness of many people. Many people started to wear gloves, thinking that this can avoid contact with the virus. Does wearing gloves can decrease the chance of getting the virus? In fact, wearing gloves can give people a false sense of security and people might think that their hands are clean as they receive less sensation with the gloves on their hands. 

There are tiny pinholes on the gloves which allow thousands of invisible pathogenic microorganisms to enter our skin.

A research report pointed out that 13% of medical staff who wore gloves and came into contact with patients with bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) still have MRSA on their hands when they did not wash their hands after taking off their gloves. 

This proves that the pathogen may penetrate the glove without knowing it. In addition, gloves may also be worn due to nails, moisture, heat, and friction. The World Health Organization also emphasized that washing hands often can prevent infection of COVID-19.

Laurie Garrett (Harvard University Public Health), an expert on global health and diplomacy, had provided 10 simple precautions that can protect you from contracting the coronavirus, among which she mentioned the importance of wearing gloves. The gloves need to be waterproof and less prone to damage. It is recommended to use general medical gloves. Wash your hands before putting on gloves.

It is only necessary for the general public to use them when they are at places with a high risk of infection, or high social interaction, such as the public transport hubs. It is needed to always remember to remove the gloves after leaving those places. Otherwise, the germs will be transmitted to other places. Check out the following CDC's video for the methods of taking off the gloves from your hands. 

5 Situations That You Need To Wear Gloves

1. Contact with chemical substances: Wear gloves to protect your skin from contact when using bleach or disinfectant.

2. Contact with sharp objects: Wear gloves to avoid yourself from being hurt by sharp objects on the construction site or in the factory.

3. Contact with pollutants: Wear gloves when handling an animal's or patient's excrement.

4. Cleaning at home: When you are cleaning, mopping, disinfecting doorknobs, switches, tables and chairs, toilets, kitchens, and electronic appliances in your home, remember to wear gloves to protect your hands and avoid touching dirty surfaces.

5. Taking care of the patient: Taking care of the sick person requires one-time use of medical gloves to avoid contact with germs, blood, secretions, and excrement on the patient.

Lindung diri, lindung semua. Do check out the following 10 most common mistakes in using masks to see if you use your mask correctly.