Originally Posted By: KenK
I wouldn't put too much faith in a YouTube video.

While I agree I should have done more research into this than watching one video and post more sources I think Youtube is now much more valuable medium than it used to be. Among tons of stupid stuff you can actually find lots of good info and even some respected scientists now have YouTube channels (for example Sean Carrol) with podcasts etc.

Originally Posted By: KenK
I've never heard that detergent (what most "soap" is today) actually kills viruses. My understanding is that it encapsulates viruses and then allows water to rinse it off the hands, much as it does with dirt and oils.


From what I read the real soap dissolves the barrier that encapsulates the virus thus killing it. The question of course is what is the definition of "real soap".

Here are more sources:

Professor Karen Fleming (JHU): hand washing is important, because the soap breaks down the fat or outer lipid membrane that surrounds the virus, killing it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/fbj0pu/professor_karen_fleming_jhu_hand_washing_is/

Why soap is preferable to bleach in the fight against coronavirus
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/scien...st-coronavirus/

Deadly viruses are no match for plain, old soap — here’s the science behind it
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/deadly...d-it-2020-03-08


Edited by raptor (03/21/20 12:02 AM)
Edit Reason: typos, grammar