There are many reasons why medical gloves (surgical gloves) aren’t always an effective protection measure outside of direct patient care. There could be a tear or rip in the gloves, you could put them on or take them off incorrectly. But most importantly, the gloves could give you a false sense of security. Because you end up touching everything you please, including your face, leading to self-contamination.
Medical gloves (surgical gloves) itself is only good protection if the person wearing it follows good protective measures. Unfortunately, most people will not. Gloves do not give you immunity nor permission to touch everything within reach either. Any germs that might be on your gloves can be transferred to all other surfaces and items you touch. This is why it’s counterproductive to wear medical gloves, yet continue to rummage through your purse or use your phone while in the store.
Wearing gloves outside of these instances (for example, when using a shopping cart or using an ATM) will not necessarily protect you from getting COVID-19 and may still lead to the spread of germs. The best way to protect yourself from germs when running errands and after going out is to regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Besides, you use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Guidelines and recommendations for medical gloves (surgical gloves) use in healthcare and work settings will differ from recommendations for the general public.
Keep in mind however, wearing medical gloves (surgical gloves) should not replace any other precautions you have been taking. That includes proper social distancing, self-isolating, self-quarantining, and wearing a mask when necessary, per the CDC.
