Coronavirus Scare: How Effective are Hand Sanitisers and Masks To Combat COVID-19

As cases of coronavirus spike all around the world and more are more people shake up to the COVID19 scare, the sale of face masks and hand sanitiser has increased many folded at chemist stores. Health experts consider masks and sanitiser as primary tool to combat the deadly virus as it resists the infection to get into your system.  Social media was filled with photos of shelves emptied of flats of bottled water.

According to hygiene experts, to kill most viruses, a hand sanitiser requires at least 60% alcohol content (most contain 60-95%). Hand washes are anti-bacterial but cannot save you from viral infection.

The key thing is when to use hand sanitiser. COVID-19 is a new illness, so no one knows exactly how it spreads. Coronavirus spreads through cough droplets spread from person to person and very unlikely that it is transmitted through objects, be that packages or food.

Therefore sanitize your desk, work station and your hands after anything using public transport for commutation.

Wearing a mask   is a viable option to keep Coronavirus as bay is more for people already showing symptoms of coronavirus and their caregivers than for people trying to prevent it. The centres for Disease Control and Prevention said it "does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19," referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Rather, experts caution that putting on a face mask without proper fitting and training could actually increase your risk.