It is not about face masks or gloves, but keeping your hands clean – Prof Michael Borg

It is not about face masks or gloves, but keeping your hands clean, Head of the Infection Control Unit at Mater Dei Hospital Prof Michael Borg said yesterday.

Speaking during a Facebook live video transmission from Mater Dei Hospital about COVID19 and answering queries by the public, Borg said that many questions were received about people who go out in public wearing masks and gloves.

“Unfortunately some people follow the wrong information.”

“The masks are used inside the hospital, for medical professionals who are in close contact with patients. If the patient is to cough, that nurse or doctor is at risk of getting the virus. Outside the hospital, there is less likely a chance that you would be so close to those people.”

He explained that with gravity, the virus would fall to the ground and in cases where the area is very large, the microbes break down. He also said that while wearing a mask, there is more of a chance people would touch their face to arrange the mask if it moves out of place and this brings a higher risk of catching the virus.

“The solution? Wash your hands. Keep an alcohol rub with you and that way you constantly have a way to keep your hands clean. No alcohol rub? Wash your hands constantly; the focus is not about face masks or gloves, but keeping our hands clean.”

He noted that when washing your hands, it is very important to wash every part of the hand, especially between the fingers. He also demonstrated how to wash your hands properly and to ensure to cover the whole hand.

“It is a difficult period, and we are calling for everyone to stay at home, especially the more vulnerable individuals, such as those individuals over the age of 65 and those suffering from chronic disease, but please it is important to exercise. You need to stay active and healthy. If you have a treadmill, use it and if not just walk around the house or do basic exercise. It is very important we do this and we keep a healthy diet which will help our immune system.”