[BAS Newsletter] SARS-CoV-2

[Adrian Fowle]

I was slightly alarmed last night and this morning to hear of various 
homebrew attempts at hand and surface disinfection for SARS-CoV-2 the 
virus that causes the illness CoVid-19. I think they could introduce a 
false sense of security.

For hand washing, soap and water works, or an alcohol based hand rub. 
The alcohol content has to be quite high. I am not sure that the 
cocktails based on Vodka and Whisky would do the trick, especially when 
diluted with various herbs and hand cream.

https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf is guidance 
from the WHO on how to make handrub. I am NOT suggesting that you follow 
it, it could be dangerous. I merely point out the high concentrations of 
alcohol and the steps to prevent other infections etc.

For surfaces please see
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/interim-guidance-environmental-cleaning-non-healthcare-facilities-exposed-2019
Basically neutral detergent or a chlorine based disinfectent can be 
used. And again the concentrations matter.

There is UK advice aimed at professionals but these WHO and ECDC 
versions are nicely written.

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers 
is a general guide - see the section on face-masks. They make things worse!


Feel free to circulate this.  Of course updates might be necessary but 
this is the current advice

Regards
Adrian


*

Adrian Fowle
Chairman, Bromley Art Society.

www.bromleyartsociety.org.uk and www.bromleyartsoc.org.uk

*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bromleyartsoc.org.uk/pipermail/newsletter_bromleyartsoc.org.uk/attachments/20200307/357bd4db/attachment.html>