I am compelled to write about this topic because the public has no idea what this means. I watch individuals practicing their idea of infection control with interest. They wipe down items and wear gloves all day long to protect themselves.
Lets examine the issue of wearing gloves all day long. Gloves are meant to be used once and thrown away. Gloves are an extension of your hands. What ever you touch you are contaminating the gloves as well. You are passing those same germs to your cell phone, the grocery cart, your car door and others. Once you take the gloves off wash or gel your hands. I shared this video before but it worth showing again.
Wiping down items to put them away with dirty hands is not an effective method of infection control. To pick up cleaned items with dirty hands is defeating the purpose. In fact you are contaminating what you just cleaned. Gloves should be donned (put on) prior to cleaning. Once the item is cleaned the gloves should be removed, and hands washed or disinfected with gel and another set of gloves should applied prior to picking up the clean items to put them away. If you do not have gloves, gel or wash your hands prior to and after you clean the items to ensure you are not contaminating the object. If you are handling food I strongly suggest you wash your hands with soap and water (prior to and after) and follow the same procedure.
Stay well!
All Things Health and Wellness 