Twenty-seven people in Iran have died from drinking isopropyl alcohol in an attempt to protect from coronavirus. It is true that washing the hands with soap or disinfecting with strong isopropyl alcohol, at least 70% concentration, or cleaning with 10% bleach solution will protect from coronavirus. This does not mean that eating or drinking these substances will treat or prevent infection.
That seems obvious to most people. The thing is headlines can’t be written for most people. The challenge of writing the news is how to say what needs to be said, in a format and language people will understand and interact with. The headline, especially now, is of great importance. For 95% of what people see online it is all they see.
Soap, alcohol, hand sanitizer with lots of alcohol, and a weak bleach solution will sanitize surfaces. Do not eat them.
Reliable Mainstream And Alternative Information Sources.
If you are in the United States of America the best most official source of information is coronavirus.gov. According to them it is now a matter of mitigating the impact that is incoming not avoiding the hit. It is too late to dodge this.
Wash Hands often, avoid close contact, stay home if you are sick, cover your cough or sneeze, wear facemask if you are sick so you will not infect others, Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.
Options include:
- Diluting your household bleach.
To make a bleach solution, mix:- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
OR - 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
- Alcohol solutions.
Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol. - Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external iconclaims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
Good alternative sources of information on the current and historical development of Covid19 exist. The fact is if you are surprised by this outbreak it is because you either never heard of or dismissed alternative sources. Though as a humble blog Science 2.0 could fall into that category.
These sources either had insight into Chinese culture from having lived there for many many years (ADV China by serptenza and Laowhy86). They are two gentelmen who lived in China for years, have Chinese wives and half Chinese families and have gotten information, videos from Chinas social media which showed what was really going on. Even when the Communist party was trying very hard to keep a lid on this and deny that there was any issue.
They had insight into the politics of China (China Uncensored). This channel has covered Chinas use of soft power and "crybully" tactics to get its way. This has possibly extended to the WHO and who they talk about this Virus.
Last but not least they had insight into epidemiology and how diseases spread as well as the potential economic impact (Peak Prosperity.) Peak prosperity advocated sensible not panicked buying of necessities, cold and flu medicine foods, prescriptions. They did not ever try to sell these things to people.
Importantly none of these sources have sought to sell anything or to cash in in any way. They have never tried to sell a cure or pedal a conspiracy. That said they have lost money by being demonetized by YouTube. LOTS of YouTube channels do misinformation that does not make all of them bad. In this new media landscape, more than ever, it is up to each consumer of news to discern what is good information by themselves.
Do not rely on the authority of a source alone. Look at what the source says will happen. See if it does happen. Then believe them. The sources above have been correct.
Note they also relied on reliable sources. Just ones that the maintream media was either unwilling, or reporters were unable to cover. I'd have said something earlier but .... I am an astrophysicist this isn't my area.
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