WEIRTON — As Gov. Jim Justice begins to phase in more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in West Virginia, infection experts at Weirton Medical Center remind the community to wash hands thoroughly, now more than ever.

“As we start to venture out of our homes, there is a lot of talk about masks,” said Beth Abrams, an infection prevention specialist. “Masks are certainly appropriate in some settings but far less effective than routine handwashing to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19, influenza and the cold are all classified as droplet-based viruses.

Droplet transmission occurs when bacteria or viruses travel on relatively large respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, drip or exhale. They travel only short distances before settling, usually less than 3 feet.

“While mask usage provides a layer of protection, it does not provide universal protection and can create a false sense of security and actually be harmful if it replaces routine handwashing. Taking a mask on and off can transfer surface-based droplets to your face and actually promote the spread if individuals aren’t engaged in routine hand cleaning every time you adjust or remove the mask,” added Abrams.

“We also see patients and visitors wearing gloves which can be an active transmission source if they are not changed constantly,” she said.

“When we wear gloves in the clinical setting, it’s on a patient-specific basis and they are discarded immediately. Wearing gloves to the grocery store or multiple locations then getting in your vehicle and removing a mask with the same gloved hands essentially transfers any virus you picked up in a store to your face, your vehicle and ultimately your home.”

Her thoughts are shared by Dr. Vardhan Reddy, chief medical officer at WMC.

“With all the national discussion around mask usage, we completely understand the confusion, but of the three measures, regular handwashing and appropriate physical distancing are far more effective than masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19 or any other droplet-based virus,” he said.

“Wearing a mask provides limited protection against droplet-based viruses like COVID-19 and will not protect you at all if you are not following other practices like hand washing and distancing. Masks can actually make it worse because we keep touching them.”

One of the best ways to protect yourselves and others is simple.

“Masks are fine, especially for high-risk individuals, but the best protection is wash your hands frequently and maintain a reasonable distance in public places. This is a tried and true practice the CDC promotes during every cold and flu season and is not specific to COVID-19,” Reddy explained.