So, when I walk around my local grocery store there are some things that have been bothering me. The way I see people wearing their facial masks and gloves.
Let us start with gloves for I think this will be easiest. Gloves must be changed frequently. The gloves can cause you to sweat; this increases the pore size in your hands which allows bacteria and other microorganisms that are already on your hands to enter your body.
But I have washed or used hand sanitizer you say. I have seen you do this. Hand Sanitizer is usually a rubbing alcohol-based product (active ingredient). The product must cover the entire surface of your hands including between fingers and under fingernails and allowed to dry by evaporation. This pulls the water out of the bacteria thus resulting in killing it.
Hand washing should also be performed on all hand parts such as between fingers and under fingernails. The purpose of the soap is to lift the bacteria up from the “prints” of the fingers and water rinses the organisms away. If this is not done thoroughly enough more bacteria will be present because of the lifting of organisms without the removal of the organisms.
What did you touch after washing or sanitizing your hands? Surgical personnel touch nothing. Faucets are either foot operated or automatic. They do not wipe down counters with germy sponges or towels. They do not pet the dog or cat, touch children, or steering wheels, car doors, or anything else that has been touched a thousand time without being disinfected. In the lab, when I work “sterile” (aseptically), I need to think that everything is contaminated. The best purpose of gloves for you in this setting is a reminder not to touch your face.
Just think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. That is the best protection of all.
Next up: What have I seen you doing with face masks?
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