Ppe

[Ric.ror]

I know this will probably seem absolutely stupid but nobody seems to have mentioned why the PPE that is being used in hospitals cannot be washed and used again. Obviously not the gloves and those plastic aprons but the scrubs that are being made by the likes of Burberry etc. Surely they could

[bednobs]

they can be. however, at the moment lots more are needed as staff pour into the NHS from retirement etc. Also, i don't know but woud surmise that nurses who usually wear dresses are currently changing to scrubs so they can be laundered at the hospital rather than being work home

[bednobs]

*washed at home
Also, scrubs are not PPE

[Ric.ror]

Thanks for answering - no one seemed to mention it that’s all

[brainiac]

And what a bloody irony that China - who gave us this delightful virus - is the now where we're having to get the PPE from.

[Ric.ror]

Can I also ask - would the steamers be an effective way to clean any area as the temperature the steamer reaches is supposed to kill off most germs

[Zacs-Master]

The virus requires a detergent to break it down, ric. Hence washing gowns etc. Also, hospital washing machines wash things at higher temps, I believe.

[Vagus]

I had assumed that the long blue ‘gowns’ worn under the plastic aprons are made of that papery stuff that many cubicle curtains are also made of, and are just binned.
That’s what they look like to me, on the telly.
Maybe there’s both types?

[rockyracoon]

They can and are being washed. There is a fantastic movement on Facebook at the moment where folk with sewing machines are making scrubs, washbags to put dirty scrubs in and headbands to alleiviate masks rubbing ears. Here's a link to the page, you don't need to log in to see it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500699350098765/

[Vagus]

I think scrubs are different to single use PPE