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Original poster

Hand gels are anti bacterial, not antiviral. What am I missing?

95 replies

Poetf · 09/10/2020 13:23

It just occurred to me, why do we have to antibac our hands everywhere we go, when the gels are not anti viral, so presumably useless against the virus?

OP posts:
BuddyRun · 09/10/2020 14:21

The answer is common sense - that's why you're getting sarcastic/patronising comments. You're also getting them because you started a thread here for something you could have googled. Honestly wouldn't have commented until you made the stupid "I have a PhD" comment. Makes you look ridiculous.

ScaramoucheFandango · 09/10/2020 14:22

I'm sure this had been covered but check it is 70 % alcohol or above to be sure it is effective against covid.

(Oh and stop the cheque!Wink) which means sorry for not reading the thread if this is repetitive !

Slightlybrwnbanana · 09/10/2020 14:24

I'm married to someone with a PhD. Very clever, but has the least common sense of anyone I know.

dementedpixie · 09/10/2020 14:24

60% and above is what's recommended

Saisong · 09/10/2020 14:24

It's not a daft question!

I picked up some of this from Boots - a specific anti-viral foam. I prefer it to hand gel because it doesn't have that slimy-ness, nor the horrid after smell/taste that lingers on your hands. One small pump bottle has lasted ages.

ScaramoucheFandango · 09/10/2020 14:28

I've seen different recommendations so go for the conservative one.

henrykissingher · 09/10/2020 14:28

bit weird to advance search posters OP

PowPurry · 09/10/2020 14:29

I knew that hand gel had to have minimum 60% alcohol to be effective and soap and hot water are better but I didn’t know that other viruses, such as norovirus are tougher to get rid off. What kills off norovirus?

I too would love to know this, October - March I’m paranoid about the good old vom bugs.
I did however last vom bug season encourage my DC to wash their hands regularly with soap and water as hot as they could manage. No one had it! When I think we had it every year for around 4 years previous to that. Or just could have been lucky last year. Hmm.

dementedpixie · 09/10/2020 14:29

The alcohol free sanitisers aren't as good on covid compared to the 60% alcohol ones.

EarringsandLipstick · 09/10/2020 14:30

@Slightlybrwnbanana

You advanced searched me? I'm flattered. Come on, from a grown-up it was a pretty daft question!
I'd have to agree with this.
Smallsteps88 · 09/10/2020 14:34

How does someone with a PHD not know how to find out the answer to a (very easily searchable) question?

Silvercatowner · 09/10/2020 14:46

'Antibac' trips off the tongue more easily than 'antivir'.

helpfulperson · 09/10/2020 14:46

Bleach is needed for norovirus

BuddyRun · 09/10/2020 14:46

@Smallsteps88

How does someone with a PHD not know how to find out the answer to a (very easily searchable) question?
As someone with a PhD myself, they should not be perceived as an indicator of intelligence. They indicate a high level of knowledge in a very, very specific area. In my life, I've not seen any correlation between intelligence and holding a PhD.
WhatifIfeellikeacat · 09/10/2020 14:50

Some of the contain at least (I think) 70% of alcohol and that works well against the viruses.

One should not overuse the handgels and try to wash hands instead if possible as many handgels are harmful because of their ingredients.

WhatifIfeellikeacat · 09/10/2020 14:51

Some of the handgels

SourcePlease · 09/10/2020 14:53

As someone with a PhD myself, they should not be perceived as an indicator of intelligence. They indicate a high level of knowledge in a very, very specific area

Agreed, but I don't know anyone with a PhD who doesn't know how to use google to satisfy their "inquisitiveness".

HibiscusNell · 09/10/2020 14:59

@Slightlybrwnbanana

Bless
😂🤣😂
NRatched · 09/10/2020 15:03

As I understood it, an alcohol level above a certain amount kills/stops viruses (or this one at least) also.

MintyMabel · 09/10/2020 15:05

You’re missing the four million threads there were about this back in March.

MintyMabel · 09/10/2020 15:06

They indicate a high level of knowledge in a very, very specific area. In my life, I've not seen any correlation between intelligence and holding a PhD.

But they also indicate that someone is capable of doing very basic research to find an answer to something.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 09/10/2020 15:10

Don't worry OP, generally people who feel the need to be sarcastic and derogatory towards someone have issues or something lacking in their own lives. I'd laugh it off and pity that person tbh!

alreadytaken · 09/10/2020 15:13

60% alcohol needs to be in contact with the hands longer than 70% alcohol to kill off covid - so 70% or more when you can get it.

WeAllHaveWings · 09/10/2020 15:16

We are 6 months into this and this had only just occurred to you?

As long as it has a high Alchol contents it helps where soap and water is not available, but washing hands properly with is better.

IKEA888 · 09/10/2020 15:17

I think it dep3nds on the3 virus and th3 strength of alcohol.
but... what worries me is enveloped viruses will not be killed by alcohol

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