The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have caused Montreal to be infested by litter bugs.

It may seem obvious to most people: when you're done with protective gloves or masks, throw them in the garbage.

However, that has not been the case for some. Used gloves and masks can be found outside grocery stores, in parks, near COVID-19 testing sites and hospitals or just randomly tossed onto the street. Photos of discarded gloves and masks have littered social media.

The official opposition at city hall has called for civility and for Montrealers to think of others before discarding their personal protective equipment.

On Wednesday RECYC-QUÉBEC even sent out a message reminding everyone that city streets are not garbage cans.

The problem isn't unique to Montreal, gloves and masks are being carelessly discarded across Quebec, Canada and the World.

With quarantine and physical distancing measures in place, many city services - such as street cleaning - have been put on hold because they are not considered essential services.

Before you decide to toss your gloves or masks on the ground instead of tossing them in the trash, know this: someone else has to clean up your mess. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. That means every time you discard your gloves or masks in an unsafe manner you are directly putting someone else's health at risk.

Whether it is a sense of entitlement or just laziness, city officials and Montrealers have a message for the little bugs: stop throwing your used gloves and masks on the ground.