To Glove or not to Glove?
“I’m worried about catching COVID-19. Should I wear gloves when outside of my house or in public
places?”
“Medical gloves are a very important component of Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers. However, gloves do not need to be worn by members of the general public during their daily activities, such as when grocery shopping.
Gloves can create a false sense of security. If not used and disposed of properly, wearing gloves may provide another surface for the virus to live on – potentially encouraging virus transmission.
Gloves are not a substitute for proper hand hygiene. We recommend frequent and thorough hand washing (with soap and water for 20 seconds), and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth regardless of whether gloves are being worn. These remain the best evidence-based ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
For those who choose to wear gloves, proper glove use must be practiced.
Hands should always be washed and/or sanitized prior to putting on gloves and after taking
gloves off.
Gloves should be changed when they become soiled or torn.
Change gloves if you touch your face – eyes, nose or mouth – or cover a cough or sneeze with
your hands while wearing gloves.
Disposable gloves should be thrown out and not used again once they have been taken off.
Reusable gloves must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.”
Resource: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/ppih/if-ppih-ncov-2019-staff-faq.pdf