Dr. Karan Raj shared a video on TikTok to explain why people should refrain from wearing gloves in public. All the while thinking it is protecting us, it could also be the reason for the contamination and spread of germs.
He argues that germs will only accumulate on whatever the gloves touch, which is why it would be better to hand regularly wash to eliminate the bacteria on your hands.
Better to Keep the Gloves Off
Raj's comments are on par with guidance from the NHS. He mentions that protective equipment, such as masks and gloves are crucial in the clinical setting. However, it provides limited proof as to its effectiveness for civilians who are out in public.
He shared his video to 85,000 of his followers on TikTok in hopes of clearing the misconception that wearing gloves to the supermarket or any other public place will provide you with extra protection. It has been observed that a few supermarkets, including branches of Tesco, are providing disposable gloves to customers to use while they shop.
He uses a marker pen on his video to show how germs gather onto the glove's surface. He points out that it would have been better to wash your hands after contact instead of putting on the gloves. "Just wash your hands, be sensible, stay safe," Raj advises.
The World Health Organisation also mentions in their Glove Use Information Leaflet that wearing gloves may also result in missed opportunities for hand hygiene.
His video has reached 372.2K views and garnered over 22.3K likes and 601 comments on Tiktok.
Simple Gestures Count More
WHO still urges everyone to practice basic protective measures such as hand washing, maintaining social distance, and avoiding touching one's eyes, nose, and mouth. Furthermore, they urge those who have respiratory symptoms to practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.
Hand washing should be with running water and soap. It should be done for at least 20 seconds. Centers for Disease and Control even encourages you to hum the Happy Birthday Song if you need a timer. When out in public, make sure that there is at least three feet in distance between you and the person next to you.
They also implore the public to seek medical care early on when experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty in breathing. We should also stay informed about the disease and its transmission process as well as follow the advice given by your healthcare provider.
Simply staying at home also helps to lessen the curve and minimize the transmission of the virus. Acceptable reasons for going out include shopping for basic necessities such as groceries and medications and seeking medical attention in hospitals.
In a different TikTok video, Raj also demonstrates the safest way to remove disposable gloves, should you need to wear them.
He demonstrates how to first pinch the glove on one hand at the surface of the palm before completely peeling it off your hand. For the other, he then slides his finger underneath the glove at the wrist area. With caution, he only touches the inside before rolling it off over the hand and the other glove in one go.
Also Read: Here Are The Most Forgotten Household Items That Can Be Germ Breeding Spots: Clean Them Now
