Greenhouse for microorganisms: why disposable gloves do not protect against coronavirus

If there are practically no doubts about the effectiveness of protective masks during the prevention of COVID-19, the need for their use was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), then the answer to the question of whether gloves protect against coronavirus is rather negative. So what are these doubts connected with? This publication found out DW.

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Short-time protection

Although doctors and all medical personnel always use disposable gloves in their work, they only protect their hands from gross contamination - for example, blood and other biological fluids. Gloves provide protection against bacteria and viruses only for a very short time.

The thing is that gloves are made of porous material. Therefore, the longer you wear them, the easier pathogens can penetrate. This is one of the reasons why doctors, after using disposable gloves, thoroughly wash and disinfect their hands.

A deceptive sense of sterility

Disposable gloves made of vinyl, latex or nitrile create a sense of sterility, but this impression is extremely misleading. While many people, wearing gloves, are more careful in order not to touch their faces, they still quite often do this by accident.

In fact, doctors warn that wearing gloves may even increase the risk of infection. In disposable gloves, the skin begins to sweat very quickly. And a warm and humid climate is an ideal environment for bacteria and viruses of all kinds.

On the subject: Can disposable gloves protect against coronavirus: doctors explain

German physician Mark Hanefeld on Twitter and Facebook urges people to stop wearing medical gloves at home.

“In the warm and humid environment under the glove, bacteria readily multiply. After removing the gloves, a real cesspool will form on your hands, for which I congratulate you,” wrote Hanefeld.

Is it easier to get the virus when wearing gloves?

A similar opinion is shared by pulmonologist Jens Matthew. In an interview, he said that gloves not only do not protect against coronavirus infection, but can even contribute to this.

“In a very short time, a disposable glove collects much more bacteria on its surface than a recently washed hand,” explains the doctor.

The head of the Austrian Society for Infection Control (ÖGKH), Oyan Assadian, has for many years been warning people against the inappropriate use of medical gloves.

“I would not recommend that people without medical knowledge wear disposable gloves at home. It requires certain knowledge and training so that when disposable gloves are removed, the microorganisms that adhere to them remain there, and do not then end up on the hands, wrists or sleeves of outerwear,” explains the infectious disease specialist.

Therefore, if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from coronavirus, you need to adhere to traditional preventive measures - wash your hands thoroughly with soap and, if possible, refrain from visiting public places. And you definitely shouldn’t wear disposable gloves when going to the store.

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