What if every one wears hand-gloves and a face mask for Covid-19?

Question

Its probably a naive question, though I wonder if its a viable option to distance people from the virus itself by wearing hand gloves and masks for full face. The economics of providing the safety gear should be very cost effective compared to shutting down the countries IMO and the mechanism is as affective as doctors practicing their regular routine safely in hospital in the midst of all germs and viruses.

npalmer76 · Accepted Answer

So, wearing a mask in public is not about avoiding getting sick. It is about not getting OTHERS sick. You may be an asymptomatic carrier and the mask filters your droplets out and keeps them from contaminating surfaces other people will touch. In many asian cultures this is considered common courtesy.

dredmorbius · Answer

There are not, at present, enough PPE[1] to allow for this.
If there were, then use, even haphazard and inexpert use, would slow transmission, reducing R0.
As there isn't, allocating PPE to highest priority, maximally effective, and most capability-preserving uses, is appropriate:
- Medical personnel, especially those with high exposure to (possibly) infected individuals, and with high and hard-to-replace skills.
- Others in high contact with the public performing critical work: first responders, retail and delivery workers, some construction and manufacturing workers.
- The known or presumed ill, when in contact with uninfected individuals.
- High-at-risk individuals: the elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant, or with preexisting conditions, if exposed to possibly infected. individuals.
If you are not a member of one of these groups, or even if you are but can reasonably and safely isolate yourself, any PPE is better reserved for those who have greater need or provide greater societal benefit.
It's not that PPE doesn't work (though this has definitely been part of messaging). It's not that most people cannot put it on, take it off, wear it, or choose where and when to use it for even reasonable efficacy (though this is often true).
It's not that asymptomatic carriers aren't potentially contagious (they are).
IT'S THAT THERE SIMPLY ISN'T ENOUGH FOR CRITICAL USES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
And that shortage will make the epidemic far worse, far faster, and in a far more overwhelming manner, for everyone.
You and your friends, family, and community included.
Other than a small supply for use should you or household members fall ill, spare supplies for critical needs first, so long as shortages persist.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2...
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-when-...
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/f...
https://time.com/5794729/coronavirus-face-masks/
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Notes:
1. Personal protective equipment, including face masks, gloves, protective eyeware, gowns, etc.

JMTQp8lwXL · Answer

Most people (non medical professionals) couldn't take off gloves properly without contaminating themselves. Same thing with putting on and taking off a face mask. It'd provide a false sense of security.