Corona has us firmly under control and while simple hand washing takes away the greatest risk of infection from most of the population, we flat knit wearers still have many questions unanswered.
Can you get corona through textiles?
Coronaviruses only survive through human host cells, such as B. in the lungs. The international umbrella association for textile care CINET explains that the coronavirus only has a life cycle of approx. 20 minutes outside of host cells.
For textile shipping and also for the handling of textiles, this means that (provided that common hygiene standards are complied with) they cannot transmit viruses if the time span is longer than that. Which should be the case most of the time.
What protective measures can a flat knit wearer take against corona?
Now we touch some objects in everyday life with our flat-knitted compression gloves. As a wearer of arm sleeves, what can you do against the viruses on your knitted fabric? What are important measures to reduce the risk of infection?
Here's your ultimate "I come home from outside and I'm contaminated" to-do list:
- Take off your compression gloves and put them in a safe place for at least 20 minutes, where good children, older people questioning everything that's lying around, or roommates who can't keep their pens off your inventory won't answer.
It might make sense here in isolation in a (sealable) plastic bag or on top of tall furniture. - Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Because the good old house soap removes the corona virus from your skin and flushes it into the sewer. Wherever it belongs. Bastard.
So that you don't get bored of long hand washing, sing Happy Birthday three times in a row (loudly or in your head). Then your hands will probably feel reborn and solemnly taken back into the household. - Say hello to the kettle, houseplant and radio - it's great that you made new friends during the exit restriction. Sometimes the good is so close.
By the way, it is not reprehensible that you have conversations with objects. It would probably be stranger if you didn't do it in this exceptional situation. - After 20 valuable and 5 more “Just to be on the safe side” and another 5 “Who knows whether this Caroline Sprott is just doing that smart” minutes, you can put your gloves back on and boldly touch everything that needs to be done. Now there are no more excuses.
- Please take off all your compression before going to sleep and wash it in the washing machine according to the instructions in your booklet, which you have surely kept and memorized. Little reminder: Here you will find all the information on how to best wash them. Never mind.
It is best to use a laundry net for this so that the compression is protected from bra closures or other risks.
If you don't manage to wear your compression stocking until bedtime, just try as long as you can. If you want to track your wearing time, this will help you medi companion app there! - Be sure to use a suitable detergent for the washing process of your compression. As with the hands, soap is essential in the fight against the corona virus. You can get detergent from the manufacturer in the medical supply store even during the pandemic.

How do I behave when I wear gloves outside?
As a glove wearer, everything is a bit more complicated than it was before. Out in the wild it is important to touch as little as possible and of course to keep your distance. I know it's tempting. But just because music is playing in the supermarket does not mean that it is a disco replacement. So don't stay there longer than necessary.
If you want to be on the safe side, wear cotton, rinsing or disposable gloves over the stockings while shopping, traveling by train, etc. You can take them off at home and wash / throw them away.
Can I spray disinfectant on my flat knit compression stockings?
Unfortunately, depending on the manufacturer, the knitted fabric suffers from the use of disinfectants. So please refrain from bathing your gloves in one of these. Aside from damaging the tissue, it kills bacteria but unfortunately not viruses.
Soap is the magic drug that will get you safely and reliably through the pandemic. So use them as often as possible.
Stay healthy! Stay home.