Washing-up liquid can be used to help prevent the spread of the Covid19 coronavirus a doctor has said, amid shortages of liquid soaps and hand sanitisers on supermarket shelves.
On Twitter Dr Adrian Heald, a consultant physician in diabetes and endocrinology at Leighton and Macclesfield Hospitals, urged people not to panic "if liquid soaps are sold out". He said that the "coronavirus has a fatty outer layer", and that "anything that dissolves fat will work".
"I thought a few people might not know it," said Dr Heald. "I learned about it from a very senior colleague and thought best pass it on."
"Thinking about the people who are relying on food banks and can't afford such luxuries, for them dish washing liquid might be the only option."
Giving further advice to his 16,800 followers on twitter. Dr Heald said: "Running water is the most important thing, with warmer water the soap lathers a bit easier, but cold water does the trick as well as long as you use soap and water and wash thoroughly (and remember to remove rings and such) you should be OK."
"Common sense (like not wearing rings at the moment) also keep your nails short, it is more difficult to clean if your nails are long, the germs have much more space to hide away.
"Towels and dish cloths - wash as often as possible, if you can't wash them very often, please do NOT bunch them up, spread them out so they dry as fast as possible, you want to avoid a moist environment where germs feel at home."
