Many people are wearing personal protective equipment while they shop, however not everyone is properly disposing their PPE after use.
News Center 7′s Katy Andersen looked into the littering of masks and gloves at grocery stores in the area.
“Somebody has to come along and pick them nasty things up,” said Roger King of Springboro. “I just can’t believe how thoughtless people are.”
Many shoppers took to social media to call out the littering. One post from a grocery store owner was even shared thousands of time, pleading for people to clean up after themselves.
Randy Marriott, an emergency room physician, says used PPE is a health hazard.
“It potentially contains body fluids, saliva, and it should be treated as if you would find someone else’s Kleenex," said Mariott.
If you are wearing gloves, there’s a certain way you should take them off.
Pinch at the wrist and pull down, turning the glove inside out, then throw it away immediately.
Marriott also says it is actually safer to go without gloves while shopping, and just wash your hands more.
“Gloves themselves can transmit germs, so really the focus should be on hand hygiene and less on barriers,” said Marriott.
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