Have you been to Costco lately?
I stopped in the other day to pick up a few household items: paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste and a few free samples. By the time I reached the back of the store, I realized very quickly that I had no idea what the coronavirus was capable of.
From the barren shelves where toiletries once laid to the long lines for bottled water, I was in disbelief. But the one area that looked like it had been raided by a colony of fire ants was the hand sanitizer section.
While everyone around the globe rushes to scoop up the last few bottles, it begs the question: Does hand sanitizer actually do anything against the coronavirus?
Scientist here
Hand sanitizer does NOT kill corona virus.. the only way to completely prevent the spread is by licking the palm of your hand to form a protective seal, before touching ANY door knobs
— Gråçë (@garrcie) March 2, 2020
OK, well maybe her “expert” opinion is a bit out-of-the-box.
However, the fact is that hand sanitizer does have positive properties that make it a worthwhile deterrent to the dreaded COVID-19. However, you should probably check the label for a specific level of alcohol content first. At least, that’s according to one doctor:
Yes, alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can kill coronavirus as it has an envelope coating around it that alcohol can attack. https://t.co/7mUGx14IoD
— Dr. Amalina (@DrAmalinaBakri) March 3, 2020
Of course, if Twitter doesn’t convince you, maybe reading the official Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. The coronavirus page includes a plethora of information, including preventative actions.
“Just bought all the hand sanitizer and face masks. Ain’t no way I’m getting the coronavirus” pic.twitter.com/SZQd6fciVz
— Derek Tacason (@ItzTacoSan) March 6, 2020
Consider spending a few more seconds at the sink than that guy.
According to the CDC website, preventative actions include avoiding contact with people who are sick, avoiding touching your nose, mouth and eyes and cleaning and disinfecting objects that are frequently touched.
While washing your hands for at least 20 seconds is optimal, the CDC does mention hand sanitizer as an alternative.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Now you know!
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