Table 3: Inappropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) - face masks and gloves [20,21,26].

Inappropriate personal protective practices Scientific reasoning
Wearing a face mask for self-protection Face mask blocks droplets from your mouth and nose to protect others. It may also protect you from large droplets but not viruses- and bacteria-laden aerosols (very fine particles in the air) from others. It may prevent your hand directly touching your eyes, nose, or mouth unconsciously.
Exposing nose while wearing a face mask Transmission of respiratory infection mainly occurs via nose and mouth; covering only the mouth is not protective.
Taking off face mask when coughing or sneezing Wearing a face mask is to catch your coughs and sneezes; if you do not want to wet your mask, cough or sneeze into tissue paper, throw it into a trash bin, and do hand hygiene. Touching the face mask often for any reason will increase your risk.
Wearing face mask when being alone in non-public places (such as in empty streets, beaches, or fields; while driving) There will be no infectious droplets if no one is sneezing or coughing near you.
Wearing double face masks Double masks will not improve protection efficiency but may cause breathing difficulty.
Wearing N95, KN95, FFP2, or equivalent respirators (± exhalation valve) Respirators are worn only by healthcare personnel while taking care of infected patients. Wearing it for a long time will suffocate the wearer.
Wearing hazmat suits Hazmat suit (hazardous materials suit) is worn only by emergency healthcare personnel. Working in a hazmat suit is strenuous and thus good only for a short duration.
Wearing single or double gloves Gloves are for medical personnel. Wearing gloves will not prevent exposure to the virus without proper doffing and hand hygiene afterward.
Reusing gloves or using gloves for a prolonged period Gloves are made for single-use for a short time because they cannot be cleaned effectively, and prolonged use of gloves can compromise the barrier integrity.