Gundersen Health System experts say gloves don't prevent contracting COVID-19

Gundersen Health System staffers have seen people wearing gloves when out in public as a means of preventing getting COVID-19.  But they say the gloves are ineffective: "While vinyl, latex and nitryl gloves protect the skin from body fluids and certain harmful chemicals, they don't protect you from contracting viruses including COVID-19."

Most experts say a pair of gloves won't lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 mostly because wearing gloves provides a false sense of security that bare hands do not.  Also, germs collect on the gloves as a person touches surfaces. Then people spread the germs when they touch other objects.

Says Gundersen Health, "The best way to decrease your risk of COVID-19 is to practice proper hand washing, practice social distancing and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth."