Choosing an improper, dry hand sanitizer will not exert its antiseptic effect and prevent Covid-19 prevention.
Today, many brands of hand sanitizers advertise their products "killing 99.99% of the germs that cause disease". But that does not mean the product will protect you against the new Corona virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends choosing a dry hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when you cannot wash your hands. Many of the alcohol-free or qualified hand sanitizer bottles recommended by the CDC also "fly" off the shelves in the frenzy of consumers.
Consumers are still willing to buy and choose a dry, non-alcoholic hand sanitizer, although not recommended by the CDC
These alcohol-free products are selling out within "one note." Along with that is the dizzying change in prices altogether.
As in the US, the price of Purell's sanitary napkins has surged on Amazon.com. From $ 11.88 in January to $ 79.99 on Wednesday afternoon before jumping to $ 199.99 on Wednesday night. And now its products are out of stock.
The packaging front of the towel or hand sanitizer does not mention that it is alcohol free. The back side includes a small print listing benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient and completely alcohol free. And on the Product Information section on the Amazon site, there is absolutely no mention of the product does not contain alcohol.
Germ-X alcohol-free sanitized hand sanitizers are also available on Amazon. Also with prices rising from $ 10 in mid-January to $ 49.95 last Friday.
Reaction from Amazon and customers
Amazon says it is monitoring the listings to control prices, block or remove accounts that are suspected of selling off-priced products. Ebay also announced on Friday that it has banned lists of hand sanitizers, masks and disinfecting wipes. And will also quickly remove lists that mention coronavirus or COVID-19. And this confuses many people.
One consumer who chose Purell's hand sanitizer wrote the following comment: To be honest, these wipes are a savior. Due to the corona virus and I travel to Vietnam, I have used them on flights, eating utensils and sitting before sitting. It gives me a sense of security.
Better to choose an alcohol-free hand sanitizer than do nothing. But in reality, there is nothing as good as washing your hands
At a time when all facemasks and hand sanitizers are scarce, using products containing benzalkonium chloride is better than nothing. That is the statement of Emily Landon, an expert in infectious diseases at the Medical University of Chicago.
She said the CDC's recommendation for hand sanitizers is based on the fact that 60% alcohol kills all the coronaviruses we know of. A product with an antiseptic that has benzalkonium chloride in the composition is not really good, as we don't know much about it, she said. As a doctor, mother and infection control specialist, she says alcohol-based products are her first choice when choosing a dry hand sanitizer. However, the best solution is to wash your hands often .
Reporters who contact manufacturers to ask about the advertisement "killing 99.99% of the germs that cause disease", most of them refused to answer. And only know that the company sells alcohol-based hand sanitizer products, but does not advertise that it is used to destroy Corona virus.
Don't waste time and money making or choosing unqualified hand sanitizers
The shortage of hand sanitizers has led consumers to take extreme measures like making their own hand sanitizer at home.
Many experts say homemade recipes on Pinterest are not good. Because people are using whiskey or vodka does not contain enough alcohol to be effective.
In realizing its consumer mission, Tito, a Vodka brand, warns customers that their product does not contain enough alcohol for effective disinfection. Because like Vodka Tito lemon only contains 40% alcohol. Meanwhile, it takes at least 60% for dry hand sanitizer to work.
The implementation of the preventive and epidemic prevention measures of Covid-19 is commendable. But consumers should be calm and calm to master the knowledge of translation. From there to the best prevention for yourself, your family and the community. At the same time, avoid the situation of losing money.
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