If you've spotted people wearing masks or gloves during any recent trips to the supermarket, then you're not alone. Many have taken to wearing extra protective gear during lockdown in the hopes of preventing (or catching) coronavirus from spreading.

However, an NHS doctor, Dr Karan Rangarajan, has now taken to TikTok to share a short video on why actually, gloves aren't as helpful as you might think. The more you know, eh?

"You’ve got your gloves, you’re at the supermarket, you’re touching things – there you go… germs," he begins, scribbling on his glove with a biro to visibly demonstrate said germs. "You keep touching more things throughout the same day with these same gloves, germs everywhere. You’re accumulating germs."

So far, so ick. "Your glove is now more full of germs than your hand would’ve been if you washed each time," Dr Rangarajan continues. "Remember, with these same gloves you’ll be touching your steering wheel, you might accidentally touch your face, transferring the germs to yourself, then when you’re changing the gloves, you might actually be touching the glove itself."

He concludes the video by saying, "Just wash your hands, be sensible, stay safe."

tiktokView full post on Tiktok

If you're still a bit unsure as to the best way to approach a trip to the supermarket, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

  • Keep a two metre distance between yourself and other customers, and staff.
  • Shop alone, whenever possible.
  • Only buy essentials during your trip.
  • Take note of shop opening times that are specifically for the vulnerable, elderly and frontline workers (and respect them).
  • If you can, have your shopping delivered to your home instead.
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Stay safe, everyone – and remember, social distancing is all for the greater good.

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Jennifer Savin
Features Editor

 Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.