Measures such as distance rules help to prevent the corona virus from spreading freely. There is currently a lot of debate about the benefits of disposable gloves.
- In addition to mouth-nose protection *, many people are currently wearing gloves to protect themselves against corona viruses.
- These precautions are designed to minimize the risk of contracting corona viruses.
- But experts warn: People who overestimate the protective effect of gloves even increase their risk of infection.
Corona viruses spread through droplet and smear infections. Anyone who inhales a patient's breath or touches a contaminated surface and then rubs his eyes paves the way for viruses to enter the body *. The government recommends face masks to protect against these contagion routes. A controversial measure. Some proven facts actually speak against a face mask, such as that you usually touch your face more often - be it to take the mask off and put it back on or to position it correctly. Wearing disposable gloves is also the subject of much discussion .
Protection against Covid-19: gloves in everyday life "nonsensical"
Like mouth masks, disposable gloves or gloves generally only protect against infection * if they are used correctly. And as with mouth-nose protection, wearing gloves can not provide 100% protection against Covid-19. Many scientists even advise against putting on disposable gloves when shopping . The Quarks science portal quotes infectiologist Peter Walger, who believes the use of gloves in public space is senseless. It would neither protect against infection, nor protect other people from passing the virus on, said Walger. In the result, it makes no difference whether the hands are contaminated with viruses or not with gloves. Even so, people would face each other and possibly become infected with the virus.
Even those who wear gloves can potentially touch surfaces contaminated with pathogens. The difference: glove wearers do not wash their hands, which increases the risk of infection . And this is where incorrect use comes into play again: Those who do not take off the gloves properly - i.e. have contact with the outward-facing surface of the gloves during wiping - and do not wash their hands carefully afterwards, increase their risk of infection.
Read also: Previous illness could make immune to Covid-19 - what is behind the cross immunity.
Wash your hands and don't touch your face: These measures make more sense
Classified as rather unsuitable in everyday life, doctors and other experts agree: disposable gloves are mandatory for medical personnel in many activities in order to protect themselves and patients from infection with pathogens . Quarks informs specialists that they are trained to use the gloves correctly, dispose of them properly after use, and then wash and disinfect their hands.
In general, regular and careful hand hygiene * has been proven to protect against infection with Covid-19. You should also try not to touch your face : Because bacteria and viruses - not just the novel pathogen Sars-CoV-2 - get on the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth or eyes and penetrate into the body from there .
Read more : Coronavirus pandemic: disinfectant sold out? How to make it yourself.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.