(WSIL) -- Infectious disease experts say, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, you should leave your gloves at home the next time you run an errand.
"We do not recommend the public wears gloves when they're outside--especially in the supermarket or anywhere else," said with SIH. "Wearing gloves just adds a false security sense that you are not really benefiting from at all."
While masks prevent the spread of the virus through droplets, gloves don't offer actual protection.
Image provided by SIH
Doctor Altamimi says the virus is not spread through touch, and gloves may make people less likely to wash their hands.
"Gloves can harbor bacteria and viruses themselves, and it can live on those gloves longer. And by touching things and touching your face, your mouth, your eyes, you're also going to be transmitting the disease," Dr. Altamimi said.
Experts say people touch their face much more often than they realize.
Source: World Health Organization
Wearing a mask is now recommended for anyone who goes out in the public. Dr. Altamimi says that's a good thing, especially when it comes to those who may be sick and not know it.
"...so by masking everybody that will protect these asymptomatic carriers from transmitting the disease to healthy people. Gloves in the contrary we do not recommend wearing outside of health care or if you are not cleaning in your house," Dr. Altamimi said.
The best practices in the fight against COVID-19 remain washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, and staying hme.
But if you do need to go out make sure to maintain social distancing.
"...then you wear your mask. When you are close to people--less than six feet. If you're in the car you really don't need to wear your mask because there's no risk of transmission or risk of infection at that point," Dr. Altamimi said.
While experts are recommending people not wear gloves, experts say if you do decide to do so, it is important you
