S’porean Doctor Advises Public To Use Hand Sanitisers With Alcohol Instead Of Wet Wipes To Protect Themselves

Hand Sanitisers With At Least 60% Alcohol More Effective Than Wet Wipes

As the Wuhan virus outbreak continues to cause anxiety among Singaporeans, hand sanitisers and wet wipes are flying off the shelves at alarming rates.

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If you’ve been wondering which of the 2 are more effective in protecting you against the virus, here’s your answer.

According to Dr Kalisvar Marimuthu, a senior consultant at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), hand sanitisers should be used disinfect hands, while wet wipes are to be used for surfaces.

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Hand sanitisers secondary to washing hands with water and soap

According to Dr Kalisvar, washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the optimal choice.

This is especially important before and after meals, or after you cough and sneeze.

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Use sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol if there’s no access to toilets

However, when most of us are out and about, a restroom is often not within our immediate vicinity.

In such cases, Dr Marimuthu urges Singaporeans to use hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content.

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Dr Marimuthu advises Singaporeans not to be stingy and use a generous amount to cover the whole hand, rubbing for around 20 seconds and then leaving to dry.

Only wet wipes containing alcohol are effective

But if you already purchased a bulk of wet wipes at home, fear not.

Wipes with at least 40% alcohol can allegedly still be used to clean surfaces at home or in public.

However, if they do not contain alcohol, they are not effective.

Image from a MS News reader

Hence, do check your labels if you have already acquired these products to ensure your protection is sufficient.

Practising good hygiene

With the spread of the virus, consciousness on public health is of utmost importance.

Washing your hands and using hand sanitisers for disinfection are good places to start, but here are more guidelines you can take note of.

Please exercise individual responsibility to help Singapore can step up our preparedness in dealing with the Wuhan virus.

Featured image adapted from TheSmartLocal