There has been a lot of talk about COVID19. I wrote about it last March 2020 when shelves, emptied of over-the-counter medications, became a hot COVID19 topic. The topics change constantly as new information is gathered about prevention and treatment. People share information on social media and are constantly updating themselves. People, even experts, still are learning about this disease and any new information is immediately consumed. Now the hot topic is about masks and gloves.

The current CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendation is for everybody to wear a mask. Its use will prevent transmission of COVID19. I just listened to Dr. Sanjay Gupta as he talked about the use of masks in his podcast.

Gloves, when properly used, will also prevent transmission of COVID19. The use of gloves among healthcare providers is an established practice and is highly recommended. The CDC, in its Clean Hands Count Campaign, remind healthcare providers and patients of the importance of keeping their hands clean to prevent spreading potentially dangerous germs. Hand washing, either with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizers, is a highly recommended method. The use of gloves to keep the hands clean does not substitute for washed, clean hands. Improper technique in the donning (wearing) and doffing (removing) of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Ebola epidemic was even identified as a flaw that led to the spread of the disease.

Masks and gloves use now is even more important. The data and recommendations may change in the future as new information is gathered. For now, avoid giving or getting COVID19 by wearing a face mask and wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer instead of relying on an improperly used pair of gloves.