FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(and other details you didn’t know you wanted to know)
WHAT IS THIS DEVICE AND HOW IS IT SUPPOSED TO HELP ME?
- We at NONTACT® developed this innovative “Finger Glove” in direct response to the global onset of COVID-19; we needed a novel form of everyday, user-friendly “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE) that reduces the need to touch potentially COVID-contaminated surfaces such as door handles, safety rails, gas pumps, payment terminals, etc…while also preventing cross-contamination, or transfer of contaminants (e.g., from glove to phone to face) by “self-quarantining” its exposed areas
- Not having to expose your hands/skin/clothes to contaminated surfaces means less unintended transfer of contaminants to your face, thereby reducing the spread of COVID-19 (CDC) or any other communicable diseases
- NONTACT gives you the confidence to lose touch with germaphobia-driven stress & anxiety…so you can more freely live your life (even go back into the office) in a pandemic, while contributing to the solution and not the problem
- Finally, even CDC emphasizes the risks of hand contamination:
WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU GUYS TO HELP WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
- NONTACT was founded by a Life Sciences expert and diehard science advocate who specializes in developing innovative health products: All product claims and benefits are supported by science and reputable health expertise (e.g., dedicated CDC page on COVID-19)
- We have engaged with academic and federal health experts to investigate both physical and mental health benefits for users
- Additionally, we are in frequent communication with health & safety organizations like NSC, AIHA and OHS to validate and raise awareness around the need for more effective hand protection
HOW DOES THIS THING ACTUALLY WORK?
- Slipping on NONTACT right before grasping public/unknown, high-touch surfaces insulates your hands from microbial contaminants (such as the virus that causes COVID-19), which could then enter your body when you touch your face (CDC)
- After using then slipping off your NONTACT, its patent-pending magnetic locking mechanism “self-quarantines” (i.e. seals away) the grasping side…where the contaminants stay put
- Then you can cleanly & confidently stick it in your bag or pocket until the next use, without fear of the microbes transferring onto personal areas (like the inside of your bag or pocket); alternatively you can keep it at the ready via built-in keychain tab, to connect it to your keys, carabiner, retractable lanyard, etc.
CAN THIS PRODUCT REALLY REDUCE THE RISK OF CATCHING COVID-19?
- Whereas masks are essential to protect from respiratory (most prevalent) spread, NONTACT protects from contaminated surfaces or “fomite” spread (the reason handwashing is so heavily encouraged)
- NONTACT serves as a supplementary safeguard, especially when handwashing or sanitizing facilities are not available; we recommend combined use with other, conventional prevention tactics like social distancing and reduced mobility
- Please note that using NONTACT is NOT a substitute for washing your hands in keeping with official health guidance
ARE PUBLIC SURFACES LIKE DOOR HANDLES, ETC. REALLY THAT HIGH-RISK?
- CDC considers door handles, etc. “high-touch surfaces” that should be disinfected regularly; in public, high traffic areas (buses, grocery stores, doctor’s offices), even constant disinfection may not be frequent enough to match the flow of people
- COVID-19 can live and spread on most surfaces for hours, days (NIH) or even weeks (J.Virology); this increases the chance of picking up COVID-19 from any unknown surface, especially the high-touch kind
- While some argue that the amount of virus found on a contaminated surface is too low, there is relatively little known about the amount needed (“infectious dose”) to cause fomite spread; consider that COVID-19 aerosols (i.e. microscopic particles) are believed to comprise an infectious dose…and with the Delta variant boosting viral load by 1000x (Nature), an infectious dose is that much smaller and less avoidable
- Most sources & experts agree that respiratory spread (droplets/aerosols) is far more likely than that of fomites (Nature), but there is always some risk that should be met with proportional (i.e. non-invasive) measures like common-sense surface avoidance…such proactive behavioral changes will continue to protect us from bad cold/flu seasons and future pandemics
WHERE WOULD HAVING NONTACT HELP?
Even during a pandemic, most people must leave their house for essential tasks; wearing a face mask is a great start, but it’s simply not possible to avoid touching ANY public surfaces: Door handles (especially if your thumb is needed, e.g., doorknobs), safety rails, elevator buttons, bus/train hand-holds, ride-share car doors, groceries/produce, gas pumps, ATMs & card payment number pads (even touch screens), signing payment receipts or for packages…and anything communal in school or workplace bathrooms/commons (the Founder’s mom loves using it to open jars haha #donttrythisathome)….and long after we #shutdown COVID-19, you can keep using NONTACT to avoid the flu, common cold, and future pandemics.
IF I’M USING NONTACT, DO I STILL NEED TO WASH/SANITIZE MY HANDS?
YES! It is always smart to wash/sanitize your hands as advised by health officials; NONTACT serves as an additional safeguard, releasing you from frantically chasing down a restroom sink after every encounter with a sketchy doorknob.
AM I ACTUALLY SPREADING GERMS BY USING NONTACT FROM SURFACE TO SURFACE?
- ANY contaminated surface (especially bare hands) can go on to contaminate other surfaces; but NONTACT is made from silicone, which is relatively resistant to microbial growth and therefore reduces potential spread compared to skin
- In fact, there is published science on the virus-killing boost that silicone adds to the common disinfectant titanium dioxide – which is what gives NONTACT its white color
- Bonus update: We are developing a version of NONTACT made from “antimicrobial” silicone; but keeping it 100%, this just means microbes (like viruses) don’t live quite as long on the surface; don’t be misled by products touting their antimicrobial properties (e.g., doesn’t work like an alcohol wipe!).
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER HAND-PROTECTING PRODUCTS OUT THERE?
- NONTACT does more than protect you from contaminated surfaces; its unique design self-quarantines the grasping side that come in direct contact with those surfaces…something to think about next time you put the tissue/glove/key/no-contact-hook back in your pocket after using them to open a door!
- While many existing solutions fall short against more complex actions like turning a doorknob or pumping gas, the mitt is basically an extension of your hand; you can even use it on your smartphone’s touch screen (though that would defeat its purpose of preventing cross-contamination)
- Unlike single-use options such as latex/nitrile gloves, NONTACT is eco-friendly and sustainable: You can easily wash it (by hand or in the dishwasher) and reuse as many times as you want
- As for keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer on-hand…skin damage aside, can you even find (legit) hand sanitizer during a pandemic??
SO NOW I HAVE TO CARRY AROUND A NEW ACCESSORY ALONG WITH MY PHONE, KEYS AND BAG/WALLET?
NONTACT is very compact, and it compresses & contorts to fit easily on in your pocket with your keys (or retractable lanyard) – to which you can easily attach via keychain tab; so in a sense you’d just be adding to your existing keychain (or retractable lanyard)
DOES USING NONTACT MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO GLOVES? OR A TISSUE, OR MY SHIRT?
- It’s ALL about preventing cross-contamination and waste. Once you expose anything hand-insulating like gloves or your shirt to a contaminated surface, they can then cross-contaminate to your hands/phone/face/etc…NONTACT self-quarantines its exposed area to break that chain of cross-contamination
- You probably don’t want to be carrying around (and using/discarding) boxes of single-use gloves or tissues every time you leave your home…NONTACT was created with global sustainability in mind, making it a fully reusable accessory to eliminate such waste
DOES IT MAKE A GOOD GIFT?
- Yep…know any self-declared germaphobes? or people who would rather not touch remnant fecal matter in public restroom stalls?
- Also Yep for the vast majority of hand sizes…just dial up/down the number of fingers needed to wear it snugly
- We are also working on channels for donating products to those in need – see our “What’s New?” page (coming soon) or contact us for more immediate needs!
I’M INTO THIS AND I WANNA MAKE FRIENDS WITH IT, FEEL ME?
Thanks! We are always open to constructive ideas and collaboration for the greater good (except please refrain from hoarding/scalping or selling copycats – because Golden Rule and patent pending, respectively): Feel free to reach out here or find us on social
#feelfree
#tactiledistancing
#preventionissexy
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