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Hand Hygiene. Hand hygiene is very important for preventing the spread of many pathogens, including respiratory viruses. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. Alternatively, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethyl or 70% isopropyl alcohol when soap and water are not readily available. 

Other hand hygiene practices may be acceptable or required for healthcare personnel. Staff should contact Hospital Epidemiology Services if they need guidance for healthcare hand hygiene expectations.

Coughing/Sneezing Hygiene. Wearing your face covering can reduce the dispersal of aerosolized respiratory secretions. If you are in a private setting and not wearing a face covering, remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Immediately wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethyl or 70% isopropyl alcohol, or perform other hand hygiene. Staff should minimize touching their face and instead use disposable tissues. Tissues should be immediately discarded after use.

Gloves. The use of gloves outside of a laboratory or the healthcare setting is not advisable. Good hand hygiene is the best practice after touching potentially contaminated surfaces. When gloves are worn within the lab, they must be disposed in MPW boxes and after removing gloves, hand washing is required.