Accessorising in COVID-19 times

The world has changed.

The new coronavirus pandemic has changed our normal way of living and connecting with people. Fashion is no different.

If you love fashion accessories, then there are a few things that will change for you in these unsettling times of the new coronavirus pandemic because if you keep them on, they may prevent you from observing basic hygiene properly.

Ditch rings, watches

You have to take off the rings (including wedding bands) and watches for the meantime.

Health experts say it could be difficult to thoroughly wash your hands and remove germs if you are wearing these.

However, if you do not want to do without these accessories, then you have to take them off temporarily when washing your hands.

For rings, you have to go the extra mile of washing them with warm water and soap or clean with hand sanitiser every time you wash your hands before putting them back on if you do not take them off completely during this outbreak.

If the ring is contaminated and you do not wash it and put it right back on, then you will re-contaminate your hands.

Handwashing with soap under running water is extremely important in our everyday life and especially in this time of COVID-19 pandemic.

An article on msn.com quoted a 2018 study by researchers from Georgia State University which indicated that when health care providers wore rings to their jobs, the area where the rings sat on their skin provided “a protected area in which the bacteria flourish.”

The study also found out that people who did not wear rings and washed their hands were able to kill more bacteria than those who had rings on.

Thinking of using hand sanitisers, one of the essential commodities in this time?

Well, another 2003 research said a hand sanitiser could be less effective if you wear rings.

The study found that nurses who wore rings and applied hand sanitiser, used sanitiser wipes or washed their hands with antimicrobial soap had more bacteria on their hands afterwards than those who did not wear rings and followed the same hygiene procedures.

So take off the accessories in order to thoroughly apply the hand sanitiser.

If you would still want to put on the accessories then you could sanitise them and slide them back on.

Keep nails short

Do you love keeping your fingernails long?

Or you cannot do without those artificial nails?

You really would have to start thinking about keeping your nails short during this period.

You would have to do away with the nail polish too during this global emergency. With the nail polish on, it is difficult to see the dirt that lies beneath.

Contributing to an article on MailOnline, a Beauty and Aesthetics expert, Dr Elisabeth Dancey, said fungi and bacteria were easily harboured under nails and transferred when touching your face, mouth, other people and objects.

You cannot see the dirt that lies beneath.

 Some health experts have also said it is not possible to wash your hands properly if your fingernails are long unless you use a nail brush every time.

It is easy for germs and dirt to live in your fingernails and be transferred into the mouth.

Therefore, it is advisable to keep your nails short to prevent any infection. “Long nails, nail varnish and nail extensions have always been a no-no for anybody who needs spotlessly clean hands: nurses, doctors, therapists, cooks, mothers and carers,” Dr Dancey said.

Writer’s Email: rebecca.kwei@graphic.com.gh