My fellow Human Beings,
What a year so far, right?
I know that things are absolutely terrifying right now. I wish I could tell you that things are getting better and in a week or so things will be back to normal. We all know that's not quite true though. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. So I feel it's important that we share information to ensure that we stay as safe as possible.
So I want to talk about these:
Facemasks. I see a lot of people wearing them. So let us talk about how they work. These masks are not fluid resistant, so if they get exposed to a lot of liquid, it will seep through the material. So maybe don't go bathing in other peoples bodily fluids. We use them in surgery to protect open wounds from the fluids produced by us when we talk, cough or sneeze. They only work if you DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. If you touch your face, the ick that you have has now contaminated your fingers and will go on to contaminate any other surface you touch. If someone else sneezes on you, and you then touch the mask, the same contamination rules still apply.
So if you're wanting to be a considerate citizen and protect others from anything you may be carrying, these are an option. Just be sure that you only take them off by the straps and ensure you wash your hands straight afterwards. However, if you're just wanting to avoid the transfer of fluids, other material masks will do the same amount of work, and it will ensure we don't run out of supply in hospitals.
Next thing I need to talk to you about are these:
Most importantly, let's remember to be kind to each other. We're all scared. We're in this together. We will get through this.
What a year so far, right?
I know that things are absolutely terrifying right now. I wish I could tell you that things are getting better and in a week or so things will be back to normal. We all know that's not quite true though. This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. So I feel it's important that we share information to ensure that we stay as safe as possible.
So I want to talk about these:
So if you're wanting to be a considerate citizen and protect others from anything you may be carrying, these are an option. Just be sure that you only take them off by the straps and ensure you wash your hands straight afterwards. However, if you're just wanting to avoid the transfer of fluids, other material masks will do the same amount of work, and it will ensure we don't run out of supply in hospitals.
Next thing I need to talk to you about are these:
Nitrile gloves. These are used in healthcare settings when we are potentially exposed to any blood or bodily fluids. Recent studies have shown that we are actually OVER using these gloves - which has some potentially serious effects in the long term. While we wear these gloves our skin sweats, creating a warm and moist environment which is the preferred breeding ground of any bacteria or pathogens on our hands. The longer you wear them, the more breeding occurs. If you take them off and don't IMMEDIATELY wash your hands, you spread these contaminates everywhere you touch.
There is a campaign that was encouraging healthcare workers to reduce how often we wear these gloves, as it creates an assumption that our hands are clean (when the gloves themselves aren't even clean) so we touch more things that if we were bare-handed. Now, due to the recent pandemic, this campaign is probably on hold, however, the advice desperately needs to be passed on to you.
There is a campaign that was encouraging healthcare workers to reduce how often we wear these gloves, as it creates an assumption that our hands are clean (when the gloves themselves aren't even clean) so we touch more things that if we were bare-handed. Now, due to the recent pandemic, this campaign is probably on hold, however, the advice desperately needs to be passed on to you.
These gloves don't mean your hands are clean. These gloves won't protect you if you touch your face. These gloves will encourage breeding of any pathogen on your hands. So please, please, please WASH YOUR HANDS. Being bare-handed and consciously aware of the need to clean your hands is a far better deterrent of this virus than anything else.
Let us work together to keep each other safe. Let us educate ourselves and empower each other to reduce the spread of this virus. If you have to go out and about, please use any protective equipment effectively and safely.
Let us work together to keep each other safe. Let us educate ourselves and empower each other to reduce the spread of this virus. If you have to go out and about, please use any protective equipment effectively and safely.
Most importantly, let's remember to be kind to each other. We're all scared. We're in this together. We will get through this.
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