Question

1. Explain how soap works to destroy the coronavirus.

2. It has been widely advertised that people should sing the ‘happy birthday’ song twice or the chorus of their favorite song while handwashing. What difference would a few quick seconds of handwashing make relative to the suggested longer time of 20 seconds? Why?

3. Alcohol, the main ingredient in hand sanitizers, binds to lipids and proteins. Most hand sanitizers contain 70% alcohol. At this concentration, they are able to destroy viruses. Some individuals are making homemade versions of hand sanitizer using vodka and other alcohols, but these homemade versions contain only 40% alcohol. Do you think these homemade versions will be effective at destroying the virus? Why or why not?

4. Is the term “kill the virus” accurate? How else might you describe this?

Answer 1

1) Soap has two sides of molecules : The water loving (hydrophilic) and fat loving (hydrophobic).

• Virus is coated with a layer of fats and protein.
• When we apply soap the fat loving part of soap will attach the fat coat of virus and scrubbing will eventually breakdown the layer. Thats how the soap kills virus.

2) It takes time to completely breakdown the fat coated membrane of virus. Research had proven that :

• If a person washes his hand for 5 or 10 sec the breakdown of fat coatings will not takes places and the virus will be still remaing. It can be tested using uv light.
• While, incase the person washed his hands minimum of 20sec with soap doesnot show viruses while tested in uv light.
• That is the reason why it is recommended to wash hands for minimum 20seconds. (It takes around 20sec to sing happy birthday twice)

3) Home version of sanitizer like using vodka and other alcohols may contain only 40% alcohol which will not help to kill virus. 60% and above is the recommended alcohol concentration to kill viruses (by WHO). If goes beyond 85% it will harmful for skin.

• It is adviced to use soaps rather than hand sanitizers.
• The action of sanitizer may vary depending on dirt and sweat present in your hands.
• Always use alcohol based sanitizer to kill viruses.

4) Yes , the term 'kill the virus' can be used accurately. Continuous handwashing using soap or using hand sanitizer in case of water not available can kill the virus.