Summary of How to Avoid Contagion from Covid 19 by Asst. Prof in Infectious Diseases at John Hopkins University, as sent to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on the ‘community chat line!’

Dear Friends,

this is a long email which Ive copied from a Facebook message sent to me on restrictive share by one of my friends who works as a safeguarding officer in the children’s dept at the JR hospital.

It is from an asst professor of epidemiology at John Hopkins and is very clear and informative about how to create a virus free environment. For those of you who can’t get hand sanitiser, see the info below on Listerine!

Please feel free to share.

Love to all from Andy.

Summary of How to Avoid Contagion from Covid 19 by Asst. Prof in Infectious Diseases at John Hopkins University, as sent to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on the ‘community chat line!’

The virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat) which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

The virus is very fragile: the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the fat – that is why you have to rub so much, for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam. By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

Heat melts fat: this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

Also any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the PROTEIN, breaking it down from the inside.

Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but it has to be used pure and will hurt your skin if you use on your hands.

NO BACTERICIDE WORKS. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria. So antibiotics will not work. Better to disintegrate its structure using the methods given above.

NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While the virus is ‘glued’ to a surface, it is very inert and it will disintegrate in time in the following ways:-

3 hours for fabric and porous surfaces
4 hours for copper and natural wood (because copper is naturally antiseptic, and unpainted wood because it removes all the moisture but does not let it peel off, allowing it to disintegrate.)
42 hours for metal
72 hours for plastic.

But if you shake or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours and can lodge in your nose.

The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial cold created by air conditioners in houses or cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will make it degrade faster.

UV light on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, you can disinfect and reuse a mask in this way. But be careful on your own skin as it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and possibly skin cancer.

The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

No spirits or vodka will work unless they are 65% or above in alcohol.

In this respect LISTERINE IS EXCELLENT as it is 65% alcohol (even though it doesn’t say on the bottle).

The more confined the space, the more concentrated the virus can be. The more open and naturally ventilated, the less.

This has been said a lot…you have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote controls, cell phones, watches, computers, desks, TV etc, and when using the bathroom.

It is best, if you can, to humidify hands dry after so much washing as the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. Using a thick moisturiser will prolong good skin quality.

Finally, keep your nails short so the virus cannot hide there.