Do gloves help protect against coronavirus?

Many people today are trying to protect themselves from coronavirus with disposable gloves - they are worn at every going to the store or for travel on public transport. However, are they really of great benefit? WHO gives a clear answer to this question:

Wearing disposable gloves in public as a preventive measure against new coronavirus infection ineffective. You are more protected from COVID-19 when you are not wearing gloves but washing your hands than when wearing gloves.

Why gloves are ineffective

Jamie Meyer, MD and Infectious Disease Specialist, Yale University notedthat the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, can hardly be infected with just one touch - the infection does not penetrate your skin.

To get infected through touch, you need to touch something infected and then touch your face. Further, when inhaled, the virus enters the respiratory tract. This is what makes gloves useless.

"While gloves can create a barrier between your hands and contaminated surfaces, they do not prevent COVID-19 infection because you can still touch your face with your gloved hands."

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Jamie Meyer, Infectious Disease Specialist

When is it worth wearing gloves

Gloves may only be required if you are cleaning and disinfecting the area or caring for a sick person. Also gloves necessaryif they are used to protect against possible damage when processing rough surfaces.

However, even so, it should be understood that such protection does not negate the need for appropriate hand hygiene, which was and remains the most important preventive measure.

How to properly wear and remove disposable gloves

If you still have to use gloves at home or in public places, then it is important to do it as safely as possible for yourself and those around you. Remember that gloves can contain infectious agents, which means that if possible, you should exclude any contact with objects, door handles, switches and other surfaces.

To take off your gloves and not get infected yourself, follow the simple CDC instructions:

• Pull the surface of one glove close to the wrist with a pinch, without touching the bare skin, and pull the glove inside out.
• Only hold the removed glove with the hand with the second glove.

• Pry the cuff of the second glove with your already bare hand and remove it, also turning it inside out.
• Dispose of both gloves - never reuse them.

• Wash your hands with soap and running water for 20 seconds or more.