Submitted by Belle Auld on behalf of the Education Committee
Disclaimer – we tried to get information from the internet using the most reliable sources such as Alberta Health and the World Health Organization
Bleach
Make your own bleach disinfectant cleaning solution for surfaces (not hands)
Info from Alberta Health Services: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/ppih/if-ppih-covid-19-environmental-cleaning-public-facilities.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2E3iYmF_bpGNEOIfzz8L4-dtuvm54sKeFoCzav_lLShQektCa_uMGYFwo
“You can prepare a bleach water solution with 100 ml of unscented household bleach per 900 ml of water.”
Also, do NOT combine bleach with any of these (they form toxic fumes)
Ammonia
Acidic compounds such as vinegar or window cleaner
Alcohol
Note – once mixed, the solution loses its effectiveness after 24 hours.
Hand Sanitizer
Recipe 1 – using rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide and glycerol (recommended by the WHO)
1 2/3 cups alcohol
2 tsp glycerol
1 Tblsp hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup water
Mix 1 ⅔ cups alcohol with 2 teaspoons of glycerol. If you can't find glycerol, proceed with the rest of the recipe anyway and just remember to moisturize your hands after applying the sanitizer.
Mix in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, then another ¼ cup of distilled or boiled (then cooled) water. (If you're working with a lower-concentration solution of rubbing alcohol, use far less water; remember, at least ⅔ of your final mixture has to be alcohol.)
Recipe 2 – using alcohol and aloe vera
From https://www.thespruce.com/make-your-own-homemade-hand-sanitizer-606145
2/3 cup 99 percent rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or ethanol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8 to 10 drops essential oil, optional
Recipe 3 -using just hydrogen peroxide:
From https://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/hydrogen-peroxide-uses.html
spray 3% on your hands after washing, or dip hands into a container of 3%
And don’t forget Soap
According to National Geographic, soap is one of the best disinfectants:
“Soap works so effectively because its chemistry prys open the coronavirus’s exterior envelope and cause it to degrade. These soap molecules then trap tiny fragments of the virus, which are washed away in water. Hand sanitizers work similarly by busting apart the proteins contained in a virus.”
Cleaning electronic devices
From Alberta Health Services https://www.alberta.ca/infection-prevention-and-control.aspx
“Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use for specific recommendations.
Use a disposable soft, non-abrasive, lint- free damp cloth or wipe, pre-moistened with a cleaner/disinfectant.
Squeeze out excess liquid before use.
Never spray products directly onto electronic devices
Examples of disinfectants that may be indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions for use:
Alcohol swabs and wipes (often used for phones, mouse, pagers)
Combination products such as alcohol/quaternary ammonium e.g. CaviWipes®
Hydrogen peroxide products such as accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) products e.g. Virox RTU®, Accel®, Oxivir®, Percept Wipe®”
Do not use bleach on electronic devices
Make your own face mask
Check out websites if you are interested and able to sew your own face mask. For example:
And, this is just rumour – but a student at Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association who was a Dr in her home country, recommends using a woman’s sanitary napkin. If you do this, we want photos….
Myths:
And finally here is a link to debunk some of the myths about Covid19 going around:
https://www.thesun.ie/news/5107049/world-health-organization-blasts-13-dangerous-coronavirus-myths-about-how-to-beat-virus/