MMA advises public against 'false sense of security' with surgical gloves

CORONAVIRUS | The wearing of surgical gloves by the public as protective gear against Covid-19 is not recommended as they can do more harm than good, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

The MMA in a statement to Malaysiakini said wearing gloves risk triggering "a false sense of security" to a point that other safety precautions are ignored.

"The improper use of gloves can also transfer germs from one surface to another and lead to increased risks of infection.

"If gloves are improperly removed, the user can also be exposed to germs," said the MMA.

"Use of such surgical gloves should only be confined to certain professions in a strictly controlled environment such as in a clinical setting under strictly observed protocols in infectious disease control," it added.

Rather than wearing gloves for purported protection, the MMA said the public should prioritise frequent washing of hands with soap, regular hand sanitising and social distancing during this time, as frequently advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Ministry.

MMA's statement was issued in response to Malaysiakini's queries based on a promotional video purportedly produced by a local glove manufacturer that promoted a return to the practise of shaking hands but while wearing their rubber gloves.

Malaysiakini sighted the one minute 11 seconds video which has since been removed from the company's YouTube account where sources claimed it was first shared several days ago.

MMA in its statement did not allude to parties that uploaded the video, although it expressed appreciation over the action taken to remove it from public view.

"In maintaining the practice of social distancing, we wish to encourage the public to use the 'Salam Malaysia' greeting (gesture of placing a hand on the chest) for now instead of the handshake," MMA further said.

Meanwhile, Selangor Covid-19 task force member Dr Christopher Lee said gloves, while effective to keep hands clean if worn properly, will still contaminate and be contaminated.

"So if we touch our face with a contaminated gloved hand, the effect will be the same as a contaminated ungloved hand.

"So we should treat our gloved hand which has touched other surfaces just like a contaminated ungloved hand," he explained.

Lee said glove wearers could contaminate their hands when taking off contaminated or used gloves.

"There is a technique of doing it safely and we should still wash our hands after taking off our gloves," said Lee.