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Chinese Nurses Are Taking Extreme Measures To Avoid Cross-contamination By Shaving Their Heads

Hundreds of nurses and doctors have been giving all of their strength to battle the coronavirus every day since the start of the outbreak. The novel coronavirus has already killed 1115 people and infected 45,171 globally. The virus has reached 27 countries, but the vast majority of cases have been in China. While it appears that the cases in China are leveling off, the virus is still considered a major threat, with thousands of infected people left in the hands of medical carers. The amount of patients has left nurses and doctors taking extreme measures to treat patients more effectively. One of these measures is shaving their heads to reduce the risk of contamination.

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: XHNews

A video posted by China’s largest newspaper shows nurses from the Shaanxi province shaving their heads before heading out to Wuhan.

Respect! A team of nurses in NW China’s Shaanxi shaved their hair before coming in for duty amid coronavirus outbreak to avoid cross-infection. pic.twitter.com/XpseMgSsg9
— People’s Daily, China (@PDChina) February 6, 2020

Long hair can spread pathogens and poses a risk of cross-contamination.

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: XHNews

It also makes it harder to put on and take off protective hazmat suits and masks. Both doctors and nurses try to save time as efficiently as possible, so the decision was made to remove their hair altogether.

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: XHNews

One nurse went viral for going bald at the end of January in preparation to care for coronavirus patients. Shan Xia, a young nurse who works at Wuhan University’s Renmin Hospital, shaved her hair and shared before and after pictures, demonstrating dedication and loyalty to her work.

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: kondekturbus_

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: kondekturbus_

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

Image credits: kondekturbus_

Other than cutting and shaving their hair, doctors and nurses wear adult diapers so they won’t have to take bathroom breaks during their long and exhausting shifts at hospitals.
The crisis is heavily affecting the medical staff. Nurses and doctors are left with bruises and marks from masks digging into their skin and bleached skin from disinfectant. Many of them suffer from both physical and mental exhaustion.

Candice Qin, a therapist from Beijing, told The Washington Post: “I think it is a strain for every doctor and every nurse in Wuhan, both physically and mentally. We know that patients are worried, but we should bear in mind that doctors are just as human as well.”

People from around the world expressed gratitude to the hard work medical staff has put in

Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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Chinese Nurses Are Shaving Their Heads To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus

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What do you think ?

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Cat 4 years ago

Saw this from some news outlets. Medical staff wear suits that are completely sealed off, and short or no hair makes it easy to seal. Most of them working long hours and some nurses cited less time for shower and more time for resting (which is pretty limited at the moment) Can we just take a moment to appreciate how dedicated these nurses are? This wasn't directed by the gov and you should take your hatred elsewhere

15points

Marky Mark 4 years ago

There is some confusion about the adult diaper. The purpose of this is not to save the 60 seconds needed to go pee. Its to avoid the 30 minutes of having to remove the protective clothing (i.e. Tyvec, masks, gloves, face shield, booties), to sanitize, then pee and then re-dress in all that again. Every time you are removing your anti-contamination clothing there is a chance you will make a mistake and get something on you.

14points

Finn-Yego 4 years ago

Ok that makes so much more sense. Thank you

1point

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N G 4 years ago

I admire their commitment but is this really necessary? I understand that facial hair can stop a face mask sealing properly, but surely tying back long hair is sufficient. Is there any western nurses/doctors that can comment?

4points

Hans 4 years ago

If the hair was a major concern, no surgeon would have long hair. If they get to wear proper suits, whatever is below should not be a concern. However, with the report on shortage of medical supplies, there might be some reasoning behind this.

5points

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