Masks and Gloves Benefits

child with mask and sanitizer

How to Slow Down the Spread of Covid-19 Using Hand Sanitizer

Elite Nitrile Powder Free Gloves, Blue – 100 Piece (S/M/L/XL)

Many myths are going around about what helps the spread of Covid-19. Some of them include garlic or spraying yourself with Chlorine. These are ineffective and potentially harmful to your health. There are very basic things you can do to stop the spread of the virus and lower your risk of contracting it. First is by using hand sanitizer.

How Does Hand Sanitizer Stop the Spread of Covid-19?

Hand sanitizer is the best alternative to hand washing when clean, running water and soap aren’t available. However, not all hand sanitizers are created equal. There are two types: non-alcohol-based and alcohol-based sanitizers. According to the FDA, the best sanitizers are alcohol-based. They also must contain at least 60% of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol to be effective. The higher the concentration, the better.

Alcohol destroys the proteins in some viruses. Destroying their protein removes the virus’ ability to multiply and survive.

Hand sanitizers that don’t contain alcohol are less effective at killing viruses, bacteria, and germs. They do reduce microbes but that isn’t as effective as ones that contain alcohol. While alcohol-based sanitizers are better than alcohol-free or not using sanitizer at all, they can’t kill all viruses. When it comes to killing norovirus, Clostridium difficile (parasite that causes diarrhea), or Cryptosporidium (bacteria that causes bowel issues) hand washing is more effective.

When making your own, consideration of the effectiveness is something to note.

Green Care Hand Sanitizer Gel- 500ml / 16.9 fl.oz, 70% Alcohol

How Do Face Masks Prevent the Spread of Covid-19?

A face mask is another effective measure to prevent Covid-19. Depending on where you live, face masks are often worn to protect others when you are feeling under the weather. This is widely seen throughout Asian countries like China, South Korea, and Japan before the virus. Once the virus struck, many people in other countries where masks weren’t popular were buying. It got to the point that there were shortages for healthcare workers. But do masks actually work in the prevention of contracting Covid-19?

There has been a lot of back and forth on whether masks help or do nothing in the case of preventing the spread of the virus. Recent studies have come out to say that yes, face masks do aid in the prevention of Covid-19. Researchers looked at a compilation of 44 studies that examined social distancing, eye protection, and face masks. These studies found that with proper use of a face mask, 3% of people were at risk for infection or transmission compared to 17% without a mask. That’s more than 80% of a reduction for transmission and infection!

Just like with hand sanitizers, not all face masks are created equal. Studies into healthcare facilities found that N95 respirators were 96% effective, while other types were 77%.

If you plan or need to leave the house during the outbreak it’s best to wear some type of face mask and carry hand sanitizer with you. It not only protects you from contracting the virus but helps keep transmission to others down too.

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