Yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a news conference to launch new NYS (New York State) Clean hand sanitizer – being made by the state to help alleviate the shortage of sanitizer that has come in the wake of the escalation of COVID 19 to ‘pandemic’ status…
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo unveils NYS Clean brand hand
sanitizer – the state’s attempt to counter the severe shortage
of sanitizer in the face of escalating COVID19…
Cuomo told the assembled media reps that NYS Clean (see picture, top of page) is even better at its job than most commercial products, containing 80 percent alcohol, rather than the minimum 60 percent the regulations call for. Furthermore, he says it has a lovely, light floral scent. That aside, it’s just another chapter in the ongoing story about hand sanitizer in the time of COVID19.
DIY hand sanitizer is a thing
Social media lit up with comments – and alternative recipes – for homemade hand sanitizers after a recipe was posted on the Internet by a New York City pharmacy – a recipe that was patently wrong! It called for a as blend of Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol and Aloe Vera that yielded a concoction with about 20 percent total Alcohol. That’s only a third of what the commercial regulation calls for. Even after the pharmacy changed its post, calling for 3 parts Aloe Vera to 2 parts Alcohol, it was wrong. The proportions should have been the other way around. We assume the situation has finally been resolved.
Another red herring…
But one of the oddest sanitizer ‘recipes’ to come out on social media involved a popular brand of Vodka. Tito’s Vodka, which advertises itself as America’s Oldest Craft Vodka, quickly replied to the post that its product is not strong enough (i.e.- high enough in Alcohol) to make Sanitizer.
And what a shame to ‘waste’ bottles and bottles of ‘America’s Oldest Craft Vodka’.
Soon thereafter, a quick-eyed Tweeter responded, “What if I pour two bottles together?” If this is any indication of the state of American education these days, I’m, so, so sorry for you all, down there. Anybody who took grade 8 Science would know that would only get you twice as much under-strength booze. But I digress…
Here’s the deal…
You can make effective hand sanitizer from ingredients you can get at the pharmacy. But you have to observe the right recipe – final product at least 60 percent Alcohol.
But there’s an even better way to stay germ free
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with Soap and warm Water. Any doctor or public health official – or any professional cook, for that matter – will tell you hand sanitizer at its best is a poor substitute for washing your hands, and should be considered a stop-gap measure until you can wash your hands. And Soap is a lot cheaper than Aloe Vera and Isopropyl Alcohol. Not to mention Tito’s Vodka. Get all the official recommendations on when and how to properly wash your hands at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.
~ Maggie J.