Shouldn't we all just wear gloves?

[Clash City Rocker]

And long sleeve shirts, as long as that’s realistic weather-wise? The virus is less of a danger once the weather warms up.

[Ms. Toad]

1. I don't wear gloves,

but I do wear long sleeves & use them as gloves to prevent touching things direcly with my hands.

[tinrobot]

2. Not really. The main sorce of transmission is airborne.

Just watched an infectious disease expert give an interview. The virus is transmitted mostly through the air. So, stay away from crowds and other tight space where you have to breathe the same air as other people.

I mean gloves might help a bit, but not as much as keeping your distance.

[uppityperson]

3. How would wearing gloves help? Serious question

[Evergreen Emerald]

16. touching furniture, counters, door handles, etc. are great places for germs

I have in my car paper towels and disinfectant wipes. When I go to the store, or fill my tank with gas, I use the paper towels to touch the door handles, card readers, etc.

Gloves would also work.

[uppityperson]

18. Gotcha, thanks. I saw a grocery checker wearing gloves during shift

They didn't want to touch the money or groceries. However, they did not change or clean their gloves between people, meaning whatever germs they got on the gloves were passed on and on and on and on.

Single use is good, or give can be sanitized between people just as hands can. That way you don't get chapped hands and also don't pass on germs.

[applegrove]

4. Gloves can transmit the virus to your face too. The virus can survive on surfaces

for hours. Gloves are surfaces.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. Gloves don't stop transmission.

[marybourg]

6. The virus is less of a danger once the weather warms up?

How could you possibly know that?

[cwydro]

10. Tangeranus said so, doncha know?

Surely it must be true.

[marybourg]

19. Yeah, I do know, so I was kinda surprised

to see it repeated here on DU.

[tinrobot]

13. We honestly don't know if weather affects the virus, but probably not.

It is closely related to SARS and MERS, which are not affected.

[intrepidity]

7. Wearing gloves will allow you to transfer the virus from surface to surface

Washing hands and hand sanitizer destroys the virus.

So, yes, gloves have their role, as in a healthcare environment.

Out in the wild, I'd say do your part in destroying as many of the little suckers as you can.

Unless you mean, walking around with a spray bottle of 70% alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide, spraying surfaced everywhere, while wearing gloves.

[global1]

9. Does Washing Hands - Destroy The Virus....

as you indicated in your post? Or does it just wash it off the surface that your washing?

[intrepidity]

11. If done correctly, destroys

Soap can chemically alter the surface proteins of the virus, as does alcohol, h202, bleach, etc. Assuming physical contact and for proper duration.

Even physical agitation may harm the virus, but I wouldn't count on that, as with just water and rubbing.

[applegrove]

20. Soap will destroy the virus but you have to wash as long and as diligently as the

health experts say. I read last night that some virus could remain on the towel you use to dry your hands so get paper towels you can throw out or bar cloths and wash your cloths after use.

[uponit7771]

8. *** DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE !!! *** Gloves would be great if it keeps you from touching your

... face.

[Meowmee]

12. Wearing protective latex or non latex gloves is a good idea

For cleaning, handling garbage etc. I have been doing it for years and recently had to quarantine one of my cats for possible rabies, a parasite and C difficile, which took several steps. You still need to follow a protocol and not touch your face etc. and remove them properly. Regular gloves could protect you, but you need to not touch your face or other things etc. and they would have to be removed proprly and cleaned after use which is problematic. bac- d or alcohol free hand sanitizers containing benzelkonium chloride will protect you for several hand washes.

Even when using the disposable gloves for protection etc. you should wash and sanitize your hands after removing them.

I am not so sure about it being primarily transmitted by air so it is best to be cautious about all contact and I wouldn’t bump elbows either. People who have had transplants and such wear protective masks for a few months at first so they offer protection as well. When I went with a family member to an area where bone marrow transplant patients were we had to wear masks.

[mainer]

14. This was Laurie Garrett's advice: wear gloves

She's covered epidemics from SARS to Ebola and she never wore a mask. She only wore gloves. We aren't aware of how many public surfaces we touch every day if we're out in public, and gloves protect our hands from all those automatic contacts. Then when you're in a place with soap and water, you take off the gloves, wash your hands, and don a new set. If your gloves are washable (e.g. cotton) then you can re-use them.

[mainer]

15. Read Laurie Garrett's article about the importance of wearing gloves:

1. When you leave your home, wear gloves—winter mittens or outdoor gloves—and keep them on in subways, buses, and public spaces.

2. If you are in a social situation where you should remove your gloves, perhaps to shake hands or dine, do not touch your face or eyes, no matter how much something itches. Keep your hands away from contact with your face. And before you put your gloves back on, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, scrubbing the fingers. Put your gloves on.

3. Change gloves daily, washing them thoroughly, and avoid wearing damp gloves.

4. Masks are useless when worn outdoors and may not be very helpful even indoors. Most masks deteriorate after one or two wearings. Using the same mask day after day is worse than useless—it’s disgusting, as the contents of your mouth and nose eventually coat the inside of the mask with a smelly veneer that is attractive to bacteria. I rarely wear a face mask in an epidemic, and I have been in more than 30 outbreaks. Instead, I stay away from crowds, and I keep my distance from individual people—a half meter, about 1.5 feet, is a good standard. If someone is coughing or sneezing, I ask them to put on a mask—to protect me from their potentially contaminated fluids. If they decline, I step a meter (about 3 feet) away from them, or I leave. Don’t shake hands or hug people—politely beg off, saying it’s better for both of you not to come in close contact during an epidemic.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/25/wuhan-coronavirus-safety-china/

[GulfCoast66]

17. Reluctantly I will dive it. Got my head bit off last time.

This time I will preface my opinion, which I think is informed by saying wear gloves it you want.

But you still have to follow the exact same rules if you do not wear gloves. Do not touch your face. And think back to your last doctors visit. The first thing he or she does when taking their gloves off is was you hands with soap and water. Gloves to not repel virus or bacteria, they are just impervious to them. Exactly like your skin is.

Now, if you, like your doctor risk of contacting bodily fluid, as is your doctor then you should certainly wear gloves. Like taking care of a loved one who is sick.

The only thing I get nervous about wearing gloves is them making people have a false sense of security and will neglect good hygiene.

Again, if you continue to practice good hygiene there is no reason to wear gloves.

[Blue_true]

21. Because you will still touch your eyes and mouth and nose.

Gloves don't work unless you constantly shed them for "clean" ones.

[mainer]

22. Of course you keep all the other precautions

Gloves do not substitute for washing your hands (when you take off the gloves) and avoiding your face. They are just another barrier for the moments when you slip up.