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COVID-19: Why it's important to clean your rings, watches
Always remember to take off rings and watches before washing your hands and to clean them often as well.
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To ensure you thoroughly wash your hands, remember to remove your rings and watches during the coronavirus outbreak. (Shutterstock/Aleona)
W
ashing your hands and using hand sanitizer are believed to be effective methods to mitigate the risk of catching and spreading the novel corona disease (COVID-19).
However, you have to remember to remove all accessories, such as rings, watches and bracelets, before sanitizing your hands.
Insider reported that a 2018 study from Georgia State University found out rings provided “a protected area in which bacteria can flourish”.
Those who cannot part with their jewelry—wedding rings or watches inherited from grandparents—have to remember to take them off before washing their hands and clean the jewelry often as well.
“If rings are contaminated and you pop them back on after washing your hands, you have re-contaminated your hands,” said Lucy Wilson, a professor in the department of emergency health services at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, to HuffPost.
Read also: COVID-19: Not all hand sanitizers work against it – here’s what you should use
"If you're not going to disinfect your rings, you shouldn't be taking them off and putting them back on.”
Jewelry historian Elizabeth Doyle told HuffPost that rings can be easily disinfected with hot and soapy water. Hand sanitizer, however, may ruin the precious metal.
The United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested people wash their hands at these times: before, during and after cooking or preparing food; before eating; before and after taking care of sick people; before and after taking care of open wounds or blisters; after using the bathroom or toilet; after changing diapers or cleaning children in the toilet; after touching animals, feeding animals or cleaning up animal feces; after touching animal food; and after touching garbage or throwing out garbage.
Additionally, the Association of Indonesian Emergency Doctors (PDEI) recommends hand washing before and after using contact lenses, after sneezing, coughing or wiping off nasal mucus and after shaking hands with other people. (gis/wng)
