To be stressed about lack of antibacterial hand gel in the shops?

[boredorboard]

School told us to provide DC with antibacterial hand gel for school. Went to every shop/chemist in town that normally sells this and all sold out. No info on restocks but unlikely as wholesalers have also sold out. Also looked online and have only been able to find some at a very high price on Amazon. So that's that then. We are going to have to rely on good old fashioned hand washing.

Wondering if there are any other products available with the magic 60% alcohol content we could use as an alternative? Any suggestions?

60% alcohol gel is not a replacement for handwashing but it's better than nothing when you can't do that.

But it's pointless because it doesn't achieve what hand-washing does. You have to wash your hands regardless.

And just saying "oh there are loads of germs on my phone already, I won't bother trying not to add any more" is not very helpful in the middle of a disease epidemic!

It might not be "helpful" but it's true. Using anti-bac gel won't stop the spread of germs in an effective way. You need to be washing your hands. There's a reason hospitals insist on proper soap and water for people entering the ward and not bottles of anti-bag gel!

It is not a pointless addition. Why do you care anyway if people are taking precautionary steps you personally think are pointless? Its frankly dangerous and irresponsible to try to dissuade people from taking steps that PHE is trying to encourage them to take for the good of the entire country.

EBay?

The best way of not getting the virus is to stop breathing entirely.

plombear are you just going from thread to thread saying twatish things?

"Alas, you can't rely solely on alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol can kill bacteria but not necessarily clean your hands. That is, it does not remove dirt, which includes organic material such as blood or feces. Soap and water must be the first choice in restrooms.

Also, there are a few key germs that alcohol doesn't kill well, such as the norovirus or E. coli, which is why soap and water is best during cooking, too."

www.livescience.com/5822-fighting-flu-hand-sanitizers-work.html

It is not a pointless addition. Why do you care anyway if people are taking precautionary steps you personally think are pointless?

I don't care what a stranger does. I'm just joining in the debate, which is the entire point of this thread, no?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Do
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

put used tissues in the bin immediately

wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

That's the NHS advice on their webpage-
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available - which is why I've got some thinking that will mainly be the children in their schools.

I wouldn't panic if I couldn't get any but as I can I have so it's there in addition to handwashing.

PS the only exception I have, really, to not using antibacs is when I'm out with the dog and have to clean up after her. Then I'll use a bit of hand gel till I get home.

If you see anyone in Boots/Superdrug at the handwash counter rooting around the products....that'll be me, looking for a handwash that is antibacterial

Should read isn't antibacterial

Why do people keep bleating the same WRONG information over and over again? Just because 50 of you say it, doesn’t make it true.

Yes, Corona is a virus but hand sanitiser can eliminate viruses if it has a high enough alcohol content. That is a fact, however much the sheep keep saying “it’s a virus not a bacteria”. Yes hand washing is good, but only if it is done for more than 20 seconds and the hands are rubbed together - it’s the rubbing that counts. Rubbing with high percentage alcohol gel until it dries has the same effect. www.singlecare.com/blog/hand-sanitizer-kill-the-flu/

This thread is a prime example of why hysteria takes over. Stupid people hear something “on the internet” and believe it, and nothing will convince them that they are wrong, even facts from experts or actual scholarly articles or research.

@PlomBear are you just an actual bitch?

We have a big industry meeting next week on mainland Europe them a huge trade event in a couple of weeks in the south of France - 40k people all together from all over the world...

Medical grade sanitisers are over 70% alcohol based. Clinell, which comes in wipes as well is proven effective against most viruses, including MRSA, norovirus, hepatitis and corona viruses. G9 is another decent brand. I get these through work suppliers though, not sure you can buy them online/in shops.

This thread is a prime example of why hysteria takes over. Stupid people hear something “on the internet” and believe it, and nothing will convince them that they are wrong, even facts from experts or actual scholarly articles or research.

What makes you think the people who disagree with you got their information "from the internet"? You don't know what jobs we have, or what knowledge we have about hand or hospital hygiene.

There is lots of debate over how beneficial hand gels are. It's not hysterical or stupid to question its use.

The corona virus is a virus and not bacterial so he antibacterial gel makes no difference..

Just wash with bar soap and water, I would never buy any gel stuff,or any wipes of an kind. I only ever use Wrights coal tar soap,or Pears soap.

Bath & Bodyworks is 68% usually available on ebay, although it's not the cheapest - around £3 for 29ml

Wilko and savers had loads yesterday

I use a probiotic hand gel, it's got cultures in it to leave the good bacteria on your hands. Rather than wipe out the good bacteria that help our immune system! I used to use alcohol gels all the time and didnt realise they also ruin the biofilm on our handd. I found it in an ethical store near me and they're not out of stock online yet.

Not sure white wine is high enough percentage

(Hoping that my gin alternative to hand-gel -if used correctly- will keep mouth and nose germ and virus free . I have no plans to try eating soap.)

It's all very well condemning people who - like me - pointed out that antibac gels don't work on viruses.

But it's still true that medics only recommend antibac gels in situations where you can't wash properly with soap and water. People see antibac gel as some sort of protective shield that they can throw up around themselves and protect themselves against all ills. It was never designed to be used in that way.

Will I be sending DD off on her D of E expedition with gel? Yes I will. Will I be sending the kids to school with gel or putting one in my handbag when we have ample supplies of soap and hot water in school, home and at the office? No.

But it's still true that medics only recommend antibac gels in situations where you can't wash properly with soap and water. People see antibac gel as some sort of protective shield that they can throw up around themselves and protect themselves against all ills. It was never designed to be used in that way.

Exactly.

Not sure white wine is high enough percentage

(Hoping that my gin alternative to hand-gel -if used correctly- will keep mouth and nose germ and virus free . I have no plans to try eating soap.)

Sorry I was joking, thought you were just using the Corona virus as an excuse to stock up on gin!

It's a virus so I don't get how anti bac gel will work. I've dug it out anyway though.