Coronavirus: Can latex gloves protect you from deadly virus?
More than 82,000 people worldwide are currently infected. The death toll from coronavirus has exceeded 2,800. Since outbreak began in January this year, epidemic has spread around world. The countries with highest number of infections in Italy are countries other than China with 453 and 27 respectively, Germany with 27, France with 18, Spain with 13 and UK with 15. . On Thursday, two more cases were confirmed.
While World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet declared outbreak a "pandemic", Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Thursday that "everything indicates we are about to enter this phase."
So what can people do to stay safe? Are there real steps you can take to reduce your risk of airborne infection, such as wearing a mask or latex gloves?
The method of "wearing a mask" is widely used, so are "latex gloves" useful?Some foreign stores require: All customers are told they must wear masks and plastic gloves before entering store.
But do gloves really protect you? Should I wear gloves to protect myself?
In fact, items such as masks and gloves play a "very important role" in clinical settings, but there is "little convincing evidence" that they are beneficial to public.
Public Health England (Phe) and World Health Organization also advise against people wearing gloves or masks for self-protection.
A PHE spokesperson told The Independent: "Phe does not recommend use of gloves in public as a measure of protection against COVID-19."
He said: "People concerned about spread of infectious diseases should prioritize personal, respiratory and hand hygiene."
Virologists at Imperial College London also told The Independent that they fear things like gloves would create a "false sense of security" and that handwashing would be best preventative measure.
However, we now know that contact route of transmission of new coronavirus, other than airborne, is most serious mode of transmission of new coronavirus, so we use "wearing masks" to "isolate" airborne transmission, and "latex gloves" are also a good choice for contact transmission, at least they can play a certain role of "insulation"!
So what is best way to prevent spread of virus?
Public Health England states: "The best way to protect yourself and others is to wash your hands daily with soap or use a cleansing gel. Cover your mouth with a tissue or cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
"If you've recently returned from a certain area, please follow the advice for returning travelers."
WHO also recommends frequent hand washing with alcohol or soap and water to prevent coronavirus.
They also recommend "social distancing", advising you to stay at least one meter (three feet) away from anyone who coughs or sneezes.
“When someone coughs or sneezes, they emit small droplets from their nose or mouth that may contain virus. If you get too close, if person who is coughing has a disease, you can inhale these droplets, including 19 virus.
You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, because this way virus can enter your body.
WHO also recommends good respiratory hygiene, including covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow when coughing or sneezing.
If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention, visit your local area or nearest hospital, and call ahead to make an appointment.
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