A Virus is NOT Bacteria.
Hard to think about much else these days, though I am trying my best, with some reblogs and short-story fiction.
When the panic-buying started, some of the many things to disappear from the shops – alongside toilet paper – were the Antibacterial sprays used for cleaning surfaces. The shelves were empty of them, including the brand leader that claims to kill “99.9% of all known germs”.
Last time I went to the supermarket, a young man was handing out the trolleys inside the entrance, after first spraying some antibacterial spray onto a cloth that he gave each shopper to use to clean the trolley handles before they entered the aisles. I used it as instructed, then threw the cloth into the bin provided. But I felt the need to advise him of something before I began shopping.
“Thanks, but this is a virus, not bacteria or a germ. Antibacterial sprays will not kill this virus, anymore than they will kill the ‘Flu virus, or the common cold. If they did, nobody would ever need to catch the ‘Flu, or a cold. Just so you know”.
He looked at me as if I had slapped him around the face.
“Sorry sir, but I just do as I am told. If you don’t wipe down the handles, you can’t be allowed in to go shopping”. I felt sorry for him, as he couldn’t have been much older than 17. I pointed through the window to the car park, where people were returning trolleys to the small sheds, and others taking them and walking across to the front of the shop, pushing them. “Too late for them. They have already touched a trolley used by someone else, before you tell them they have to wipe the handles with one of your cloths. See what I mean?”
He didn’t. “Please move on, sir, there are people behind you”.
**Please remember** This is NOT a bacterial infection, it is a viral infection. Antbacterial sprays are good for keeping surfaces clean, and smell nice too. But they will NOT kill off the Covid-19 virus.
You need something with either a high concentration of alcohol, or something that is very soapy. Like washing-up liquid, or liquid hand soap.
Please stay safe.
Making money covers it all! ;-(
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Yes, fooling the public to sell more goods. Awful.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Soap and water, the best defense.
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And they keep buying antibacterial wipes. You can lead a horse to water, but…
Best wishes, Pete.
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Exactly! At least they’re killing bacteria. 🙂
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Yes, too many people do not get the point. they end up just doing something and hope to God they got it right (or no one tells them otherwise). Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks, Theo. I just want someone ‘official’ to tell everyone that those sprays do not kill the virus.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Most “someones Official” probably don’t know. 😦 Warmest regards, Theo
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Very true. Here, at least in some supermarkets, they have the high percentage alcohol gels on display that they make you use, and gloves, but they insist on you wiping up the trolleys. But I must say the advice can be confusing even when you have some knowledge, and there isn’t much agreement on things like masks (after telling us for weeks that they didn’t help, now it seems they will insist people wear them and will go distributing them to everybody). Where will they get them from, is another matter.
Take care and keep safe, Pete!
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The ‘basic’ masks are more or less useless after three minutes anyway. I also see people walking around wearing them over their mouth, but not covering their nose. Pointless. And the eyes should be covered too, but nobody seems too bothered about the fact they can contract the virus through their eyes.
We need more basic information, and less scientific waffle. People just don’t understand the science. They need diagrams and photos.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ignorance is very often dangerous, and there is an abundance of it now, unfortunately. Cheers, Jon.
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The companies manufacturing those products should be compelled to state that they will not kill this virus. I think it is criminal to deceive people, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you for sharing this!
Well stated!
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Thanks, Margie. People need to know the difference, or it will lead to deadly mistakes.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Even before Covid-19 hit us, people have confused viral and bacterial conditions for years. Look at how many go to the GP demanding antibiotics when they have flu – or even a cold! The companies which produce the anti-bacterial wipes and washes don’t want us to know the difference, they just want our money.
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Yes, they just cashed in on people’s panic and fear. Appalling.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think we all like to believe we are in control, and the act of using antibacterial sprays makes us feel like we’re doing something proactive. It’s Advertising101—feed the consumer false information so that he/she will part with their money.
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People naturally confuse bacteria and viruses. That’s understandable. But the companies should make them aware that antibacterial sprays are useless against any virus. To not do so is bordering on the criminal
Best wishes, Pete.
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Although we’ve been using 60% plus sanitizers, soap, and Clorox, I need to go and check our other products. One step-son suggested installing a ‘sheep dip’ for our few essential visitors. Or the old bucket of water on the door – soapy water or gut-rot alcohol.
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A ‘sheep dip’ of soapy washing up liquid would do the job, Roland. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well said Pete, the psychological game continues
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Cheers, Bobby. And the companies continue to sell out of antibacterial sprays. No conscience!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the important distinction Pete. I’ve never been a fan of antibacterial soaps anyway, so it’s been plain old soap and water for my hands and alcohol and Clorox wipes and 409 cleaner for everything else.
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Good to hear that, Kim. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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that young boy learned something valuable from you, Pete. 🙂 🙂
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He could have, but I don’t think he did, Wilma.
Sad but true.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The real dilemma here in Poland, where it is common for people to make moonshine, do you drink it or clean your hands with it? I guess if I set myself up outside the supermarket I could do a roaring trade in both 🙂
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It has to have a very high alcohol content. But then I suspect that ‘Polish Moonshine’ has that!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed, reflux stills are all the rage, producing 96% alcohol which is then watered down to taste 🙂 But more seriously, the supermarkets here hand out gloves and the local shops, with less resources, are handing out the bags that you would normally use for the veg section.
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I also think it should have been labelled a plague rather than a virus. People think we get virus`s all year round so probably didn’t take it as serious. Yet if you call it a plague people sit up and listen.
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True, Bob. But a plague is a term once used by very ignorant people to describe anything that killed a lot of people with no known cause. We can do better, in the 21st century. At least I hope we can!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I hope this blog post goes viral.
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How could you fail to resist that one? I expected nothing less. 🙂
Best wishes,Pete.
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Pete you have said what I always knew. And I wondered why we were being told to use hand sanitisers. they say if it is a certain percentage of alcikhik ut jukks it. Something like 70% or somrthing. I get fed up with having this argument with my husband because it is something I knew about Nora virus and I always insisted that this hand sanitisers are only of any use with bacteria but not viruses. Every year I have the same argument with him and I just cannot get him to understand. Thus he puts us at risk all the time. We now use bleach however or Milton in water in a certain amount has given on the bottle. As my husband cleans things rather than myself because I am blind I really hope that your sister and concentration. I think I am right in saying that bleach will do it am I ha we now use bleach however or Milton in water in a certain amount as given on the bottle. As my husband cleans things rather than myself because I am blind I really hope that he uses the right concentration.I think I am right in saying that bleach will do it am I Pete?
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Yes, Lorraine you are right about bleach. Bleach works well, but hand sanitisers also work, if the alcohol concentration is at least 60%, or preferably above that. It should say so, on the container. This was mainly about ‘antibacterial’ cleaners, which have no effect on a virus. A bowl of soapy water with Fairy Liquid or similar is just as effective though.
Stay safe, both of you.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Thanks Pete, i see the distinction now, between sanitisers. The info can be quite confusing. I think that maybe this info should be made mire known so that the general public can understand. It is so serious that everyone should know. I am glad you made this post. We are staying safe. X
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I am still trying my best to make people aware, Lorraine. But my influence is very limited.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Yes I know, i feel that ut should be in televusionm explainingm abd in newspapers etc. Oh well…., you do what you can. Good on you x
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Pete, it’s almost ironic that this deadly virus can be killed by dimply washing your hands. Your point on the wipes is so interesting because it lulls people into a false and potentially deadly sense of safety. Oh, and by the way, move along, you’re blocking the others!
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Thanks, John. It doesn’t hurt to use the antibacterial stuff to keep things clean. But it must be remembered that viruses are not bacteria. A bowl of soapy water is more effective against Covid-19.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Just goes to show how confusing all this is to normal folk….good info….chuq
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Thanks, chuq. People need to know this stuff.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Awesome Pete. Now go tell my family
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You have to tell them that they are wasting their money on all those anticaterial products, Shaily. Use a bowl of warm soapy water instead.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bravo, Pete. XX
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Just hoping to spread the word.
Thanks, Pippa.
Best wishes, Pete. xx
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SOMEBODY GETS IT!!!! 😍😍😍. We get antibacterial wipes whenever we step into the building after going out. Thank you, Pete. I am so happy that at least somebody understands. Take care, be safe. ❤❤✌
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But remember that it is not bacteria, so tell that to whoever is wiping you down. 🙂
Better to use soapy water.
Best wishes, Pete. xx
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I did try to but apparently, people here are blind and deaf😒, can’t see the boards say coronaVIRUS and can’t hear me saying CORONA IS A VIRUS. 😏😒. I do use soapy water and sanitizers. I hope you are okay. Take care Petey. Stay safe❤✌😊
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Just a point on semantics, Pete, otherwise well said….the singular is bacterium…..
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Very true, Sue. I have altered the singlar references, I hope. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Cheers!
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