Time to consider installing hand sanitiser dispensers in public areas?
Dear Editor,
The debate about the effectiveness of face masks continues. I continue to find it curious that arguments in favour of masks are made purely on the basis of its efficacy when properly worn. How the mask is handled by people when conducting everyday tasks is seldom factored into the consideration. For example, how many times do we see people touching their mask and nose in quick succession while removing the mask (especially when they do it with one hand while the other hand is holding something else)? Recommendations should take into consideration people’s actual behavior in everyday life and compliance with good practice, even if wearing mask itself works.
In my current visit to Norwich, I can see that at the entrance of most shops, there are hand sanitiser dispensers, and customers observe physical distancing rather well so far as it is permissible. The contrast with the situation on the streets, however, is apparent. While physical distancing is mostly observed by people through self-discipline, hand sanitiser dispensers are nowhere to be found.
Considering how inexpensive it is to install things like free alcohol dispensers on streets and in parks, and the potential public health benefit, not only at this juncture but in the long-term, it is curious why governments around the world have not done it. As it is increasingly evident that masks are not necessarily well-tolerated at all times by all people,1 such a measure may help to reduce contamination of surfaces, a possibly major route of transmission, through encouraging more frequent hand cleaning on a massive scale.
1Cheng S-T. Covid-19: are face masks a good long term strategy? BMJ 2020;369:m2005. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2005 pmid:32434836
Competing interests:
No competing interests
10 July 2020
Sheung-Tak Cheng
University Professor
The Education University of Hong Kong
Department of Health and Physical Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong
Rapid Response:
Time to consider installing hand sanitiser dispensers in public areas?
Dear Editor,
The debate about the effectiveness of face masks continues. I continue to find it curious that arguments in favour of masks are made purely on the basis of its efficacy when properly worn. How the mask is handled by people when conducting everyday tasks is seldom factored into the consideration. For example, how many times do we see people touching their mask and nose in quick succession while removing the mask (especially when they do it with one hand while the other hand is holding something else)? Recommendations should take into consideration people’s actual behavior in everyday life and compliance with good practice, even if wearing mask itself works.
In my current visit to Norwich, I can see that at the entrance of most shops, there are hand sanitiser dispensers, and customers observe physical distancing rather well so far as it is permissible. The contrast with the situation on the streets, however, is apparent. While physical distancing is mostly observed by people through self-discipline, hand sanitiser dispensers are nowhere to be found.
Considering how inexpensive it is to install things like free alcohol dispensers on streets and in parks, and the potential public health benefit, not only at this juncture but in the long-term, it is curious why governments around the world have not done it. As it is increasingly evident that masks are not necessarily well-tolerated at all times by all people,1 such a measure may help to reduce contamination of surfaces, a possibly major route of transmission, through encouraging more frequent hand cleaning on a massive scale.
1Cheng S-T. Covid-19: are face masks a good long term strategy? BMJ 2020;369:m2005. doi:10.1136/bmj.m2005 pmid:32434836
Competing interests: No competing interests