PPE is an acronym that stands for Personal Protective Equipment. PPE works as a barrier between a person’s mouth, nose, eyes and skin to protect you as well as well as others from spreading germs.
PPE became a household word manly because of COVID-19. COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from people who are physically within about 6 feet of each other
When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets float through the air and can be inhaled and the virus spreads this way.
PPE are designed to create a barrier to prevent the penetration of substances, solid, liquid, or airborne particles.
When used properly and in combination with other common practices such as hand washing, using alcohol-based sanitizers, covering coughs and sneezes, PPE has proven to be effective in minimizing the spread of infection from one person to another.
PPE includes the following depending on your profession but also for an individual.
- Masks
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Gowns
- Aprons
- Boots
The CDC has recommended that the people wear cloth masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when out in public. Surgical and N95 masks are not advised for the general public and should be saved for our essential workers. During the height of the pandemic many people were hording PPE to protect themselves however these types of masks are needed for our health care workers whose own health is compromised daily.
All PPE is not created the same and companies who don’t normally produce this kind of equipment are trying to help but others are trying to exploit people’s fears. So please read labels and get educated when you are purchasing PPE.