Destroying the Coronavirus in a simple Way Hand cleaning at the molecular Level - The Role of Solvation

Citizens can adopt behavioural precautions against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Hand hygiene practices that require water and soap or alcohol-water solutions are easy to perform, highly effective preventive measure against the virus. A closer look at the processes happening at molecular level during hand washing/sanitizing reveals the importance of solvation science. In both practices, solvation effects have peculiar and pivotal consequences, and the role of the water solvent is difficult to overestimate: Water assists soap molecules that tear apart the virus membrane; water mediates and assist the alcohol in inactivating the virus. An understanding of solvation processes is necessary in order to grasp why disinfectants only have to be effective outside but not inside the body. Besides, the principle more is better does not apply to the use of soap nor to the alcohol content in a disinfectant. Instead, the right mixture of components ensures ideal effectiveness while providing good skin care.

Automated summary

Citizens can adopt behavioral precautions such as practicing good hand hygiene and using disinfectants to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The role of water as a solvent in hand washing and sanitizing processes is essential for breaking down the virus membrane with soap molecules and facilitating the virus inactivation with alcohol.