If I Have No Hand Gel, Would Trickling Some Whiskey Or Gin Over My Fingers Do Just As Well?

[lynbrown]

Its a serious request.

[Sam1960]

Not sure CORBYLOON. But I've got a bottle of the stuff and it smells the part !!

[theprof]

Sam1960, it's difficult to say. UK pharmaceutical regulations force manufacturers to list the highest percentage of an ingredient first and in descending order. The denatured alcohol content may still not reach that 60% figure needed. It might do, but you'd have to check the manufacturer. In this case for example, it could be 55% alcohol, 30% perfume (parfum) 10% aqua (water) and the remaining 5%, the other ingredients

[THECORBYLOON]

Any idea why it would have denatured alcohol AND alcohol?

[Sam1960]

Think it means alcohol that wont get you drunk ?? But not 100%

[Sam1960]

^
alcohol denat

[jim360]

Thanks prof, not only for answering but also, far more importantly, for the actual work you're doing.

[theprof]

THECORBYLOON, given that the first listed alcohol is denatured - Alcohol.denat - that has to be denatured ethyl alcohol, which makes it toxic to drink as well as having an unpleasant taste depending on the denaturant used.

The other alcohol is probably isopropyl alcohol, commonly used in the industry, although a few others might also be contenders. The solubility of some of the other ingredients would differ between the ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol but I'm moving into technical stuff here to do with the other ingredients. Suffice to say, they are both necessary.

[THECORBYLOON]

I know the denatured is to stop folk drinking it but as it's alcohol, why is pure alcohol added too? Why not add more of the denatured alcohol? Would that not be cheaper than pure alcohol?

[Sam1960]

Would it work prof ? Is it an option till supplies of the proper stuff gets back on the shelves

[THECORBYLOON]

Thanks for that answer PROF, much appreciated.

Good luck with your efforts and those of your colleagues in the months to come.

[THECORBYLOON]

SAM, I think a technical data sheet showing the composition is needed. Been looking for one but no luck so far. Not sure if there is a library of such information.

[theprof]

jim360, thank you for that. I'm grateful for your appreciation. It's not easy at times but I get whisked over there in a military vehicle from the uni complete with a pleasant driver and have stayed over on three consecutive nights this week. I can tell you, I've never felt safer and more secure in my life.

A few years back, I was given a senior army rank to work in these establishments and I'm quite content with that. I never use it outside these establishments but as far as gongs go, it's quite enough for me.

[theprof]

Sam1960, I can't be certain without knowing if the alcohol content is above 60%. It might be worth a try. The total alcohol content when the ethyl alcohol and the isopropyl alcohol are combined might exceed that 60% figure. I'd give it a go.

[EDDIE51]

Just washing your hands as normal with soap and water as normal is QUITE enough !
Whisky or Gin do NOT have a high enough % of alcohol to do ANY good ! In fact it may VERY WELL make things worse ! !

[jim360]

Could you comment on the possibility that (hydroxyl)chloroquinine may be a treatment for Covid? As far as I can tell it's just a hint from small trials, and may only be limited to moderate cases. But I may have misunderstood.

[theprof]

THECORBYLOON, thanks for that. I'm confident we'll beat this pathogen in due course. I've got some of the best brains in the country working with me at incredible facilities.

[THECORBYLOON]

I was reading earlier a lot of folk in Nigeria take chloroquine to prevent or treat malaria even though it's been banned there since 2013.

Some folk have been taking higher doses because of Covid-19 and are in hospital as a result of poisoning.

[theprof]

jim360, I can't really comment on the trials in place using hydroxychloroquine. Novartis as I understand it is undertaking the largest trial but I've not been involved in the thinking about this. It's really out of my remit as my research is confined to the virus itself. I've got some ideas based upon some experience with SARS but it would be wrong of me to speculate on this. There are more knowledgable scientists in this field than me.

[gness]

You've made very interesting reading, Theprof....thank you.

[jim360]

No worries, thanks for answering again.