An NHS doctor has published a TikTok video explaining why average citizens shouldn’t wear gloves to protect themselves from coronavirus when out and about.
“You’ve got your gloves, you’re at the supermarket, you’re touching things – there you go, germs. You keep touching more things throughout same day with these same gloves, germs everywhere. You’re accumulating germs. Your glove is now more full of germs than your hand would’ve been if you washed each time. Remember, with these same gloves you’ll be touching your steering wheel, you might accidentally touch your face, transferring the germs to yourself. And then when you’re changing the gloves you might actually be touching the glove itself. Just wash your hands, be sensible, stay safe,” Dr. Rangarajan warns.
He’s not the only medical professional to harness social media to challenge public perceptions about how to stay safe during the pandemic. Former emergency room nurse Molly Lixey in Michigan went viral earlier this week after using paint to explain why gloves could cause people more problems than they solve. She made the video after a trip to the supermarket alerted her to the cross-contamination which can take place.