Face mask — check. Goggles — check. Gloves — check. Protective measures like these were all too familiar to health care workers caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The findings, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, may seem somewhat obvious, particularly after health officials urged the public to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes, mouth or nose to reduce their risk of COVID-19. But the results highlight the importance of these simple behavioral changes that may sometimes be overlooked."It is important to create awareness in prevention guidelines," lead author Dr.
In the new study, scientists analyzed rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospital staff working in Amsterdam UMC between March and October 2020. They then asked participants to complete an online survey in 2021, probing whether and how often they picked their nose. The survey also asked whether participants bit their nails, had a beard or wore glasses.