Coronavirus: The World of Soaps and Sanitizers
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Wearing masks and social distance, soap and water have been
an important contributors to the fight against Covid-19 during the lockdown
phase. These have now become things that do not need to be remembered and the
body and mind have brought them into habits. But, this habit is hardly
anyone six months ago. With the
emergence of corona virus as a health emergency all over the world since
February, health agencies are constantly telling people how to avoid this
virus.
Experts, doctors and government officials have been
repeatedly told to wash hands several times a day with lukewarm water for at
least 20 seconds. Sadly, People have started forgetting to wash their hands.
In six months, a confirmed global picture of rising
infection cases and lockdown has marginalized the advice to wash hands. Awareness
about washing hands is gradually decreasing among the growing anger among some
people against wearing masks and covering face. An Ethiopian study says that
less than 1 percent of the 1,000 people who go to the hospital are people who
wash their hands properly. But, was the advice changed?
Experts say this has not happened at all. Rather, they
consider it twice as effective.
Thomas Gilbert, associate professor of chemistry and
chemical biology at Northeastern University in Boston, says the easiest way to
eliminate the chemical makeup of the corona virus is to wash your hands with
cheap soap and warm water.
He says, "These viruses contain membranes that surround
genetic components called lipid members. Since they are oily, greasy
structures, they can be eliminated with soap and water. Soap and water dissolve
the outer shell and the genetic material that affects the human cells, which
forms copies of the virus, gets swept away and destroyed. "
Gilbert says, "I have not yet heard anything like
reducing the time spent washing hands."
He says, "You should wet your hands, take soap and
clean your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with ease. No corner or place should
remain untouched."
Gilbert says that during this time the chemical reaction
between lipid members and soap is completed.
They say that it also has other benefits. The soap also
works well in cleaning the material. They say that if it works with hot
water and soap then it becomes more quickly.
Soap is important
Martin Michelis, Professor of Molecular Science at the
University of Kent, UK, says that water alone cannot eliminate the virus. He
says, "If you get oil in your hand while cooking, it is difficult to clean
it with only water. You need soap. The Corona virus also needs soap in the same
way. This removes the covering of the lipid over the virus and makes the virus
inactive. "
The effects of hand washing have been largely eradicated by
the use of hand sanitizers.
People carry a small bottle of sanitizers while going out of
the house. Also, while going to shops or offices, people's hands are
cleaned with sanitizers.
Thomas Gilbert says that if you stay at home all day and 20
strangers don't come to your house every day, then there is no need to wash
hands.
Gilbert says, "It is not bad to keep a sanitizer bottle
in your car or at the door of your house. But, these things are good only if
you do not have a sink, soap and water at home. I always use soap and water
than a hand sanitizer.
So how long should we still wash our hands?
At the time of the onset of the epidemic, the British
government's scientific advice was that people should wash their hands every
few hours. This was when most people were closed in their homes.
Gilbert says that this is not necessary for those who stay
at home most of the time. However, they should definitely wash hands
thoroughly after going to the toilet and before and after eating.
Such people who are taking care of a Kovid-19 patient need to
wash their hands more quickly.
A paper led by Mu Pham, a PhD student at the University of
Utrecht, states that washing hands immediately after coming into contact with a
potentially infected person or surface proves to be more effective than washing
hands repeatedly.
Soap instead of anti-virus handwash
Some people have started using anti-viral handwash and think
that they are more effective than normal soaps. Michaelis says, "But,
it is not." He says, "You don't need such things at all. Most of the
anti-microbials present in the market are actually anti-bacterial." He
warns, "They can become more difficult in the coming times. If there is
too much anti-bacterial in the waste water (which does not work on the virus)
then you will have more chances of bacterial registration."
"All the other disinfectants you use may be more of a
concern for the environment and may cause more problems with registered
bacteria."
Both Gilbert and Michaelis agree that the potable quality of
water used to wash hands in the fight against the corona virus is not
necessary. In this case, any water you have can be used to wash hands.
In places where there is less water availability or clean
water is not available easily, it is easy there.
Recently, the World Health Organization has said that only
two out of every five schools in the world had adequate washing facilities
before the corona virus was introduced.
"There is no problem as long as you have soap. You can
swim in water that you cannot drink because your skin acts as a barrier,"
says Michaelis.
