Thread: CoronaVirus ==> Empty Shelves

Originally Posted by BobL

I think the issue with meths is getting it in a pure enough grade to be safely used by everyone. The industrial grade Diggers stuff from bunnings is probably OK for rhino tradie hands but I would be somewhat concerned about using it on kids or seniors, especially with a skin condition or allergies.

Bob

The Diggers product is 95% metho. If we take a peak at the Ubeaut website under the requirements for mixing up shellac you will see that the recommendation is to use IMS (Industrial Methylated Spirits) of 100% purity. It is quite difficult to source. I can't recall now where I last purchased some, but I remember I had to tout around all over the place. I think WoodPixel made reference to The Paint Place, but I don't know that store.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Mick/Bob, I agree about the harshness of ethanol on skin, particularly coming into drier weather, splits in finger tips etc. So how do you think would it go if the glycerol % was upped at the expense of some of the cold water, but keeping the alcohol content to around 80%?

I agree with Bob, mixing it with glycerine will only inhibit evaporation. Glycerine is a humectant i.e. it retains water. It will stop your skin from drying out but not necessarily prevent irritation. I think hand sanitiser should only be used when other methods are unavailable. Stay away from handrails, door handles. The last time I drove back from the farm, AT told me not to touch my face. That's immediately resulted in an itchy nose which I tried to remedy with my shirtsleeve for the next two hours of my drive.

I tried to buy a couple of pairs of cotton gloves to wear in public but they're currently in short supply. Wear one pair while the others are in the wash.

Stay safe, Brett.

mick

Coles branded metho is 95%. I’ve used it for my shellac mix with no problems. However, I always buy a new bottle for the shellac mix and save the residual for cleaning up.

Originally Posted by Glider

AT told me not to touch my face. That's immediately resulted in an itchy nose which I tried to remedy with my shirtsleeve for the next two hours of my drive.

Which is why I've got 100mls of sanitiser in the car now. It means I can sanitise my shirtsleeve first.

EDIT: Oopsie!

If metho is 95% that means it's been distilled. If you start distilling a mixture of ethanol and water, the ethanol will come off first until the mixture is 95-96% pure. After that, it forms an azeotrope which means that both liquids will come off together and it's reached its maximum concentration using this method.

mick

It won't matter for the hand sanitizer if the meths is only 95% - just use a little less water in the final mix.

Cotton gloves are OK for short term once off contact but if you are dealing with mucky, wet or multiple contacts over a period of time then disposables are better as you will invariably touch your face in that time. Next Wed I will be helping SWMBO move her horse to and from the vet over a period of a couple of hours. I won't be touching the horse but I will need to drive someone elses 4wd, help with the horse float, etc. If I used the same pair of gloves for the whole period that's not going to be as safe as using disposables and regularly changing gloves especially after each potential major contact. I already have boxes of disposable latex gloves in my shed that I used when doing some aspects of metal work.

I worked for 35 years in ultra clean laboratories where we trained students in clean lab techniques. We used acid washed plastic gloves over cotton or Viton rubber gloves and continually replaced the outer plastic pair. During a 2-3 hour stint in the lab we would typically use half a dozen pairs of plastic gloves, The aim was to prevent stuff getting out from the hands into the lab and also from transferring stuff from place to place in the lab, but the same principles applies to prevent stuff getting in.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Which is why I've got 100mm of sanitiser in the car now. It means I can sanitise my shirtsleeve first.

100mm - must be pretty sticky/slippery having a 100 mm layer of santizer all over the inside of the car

Originally Posted by BobL

It won't matter for the hand sanitizer if the meths is only 95%

The WHO Brew for Meths (#1) is based on 96% meths. At 833ml per litre that comes to 79.97% alcohol. Brew #2 for IPA 99.8% calls for 751 ml per litre which results in 74.95% alcohol, so presumably they think that IPA has a just a little bit extra kick over ethanol.

I think it's pretty clear that WHO have nominated 96% ethanol because that is what is commonly available, and 100% is probably generally unobtainium in places like Africa.

Originally Posted by BobL

100mm - must be pretty sticky/slippery having a 100 mm layer of santizer all over the inside of the car

Yeah it's tricky to drive, but it's REALLY clean.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

The WHO Brew for Meths (#1) is based on 96% meths. At 833ml per litre that comes to 79.97% alcohol. Brew #2 for IPA 99.8% calls for 751 ml per litre which results in 74.95% alcohol, so presumably they think that IPA has a just a little bit extra kick over ethanol.

I din't think it matters as long as the final brew is >60-70% alcohol.

Anyone for DIY masks?

What Are The Best Materials for Making DIY Masks? - Smart Air Filters

There's a bit of stuff going around suggesting mask should only be worn by persons who are ill.
This suggests otherwise. N95 Masks vs. Surgical Masks: Which Is Better at Preventing The Coronavirus? - Smart Air Filters

Interesting that the advice comes from someone manufacturing masks Advice from WHO.

When and how to use masks

Originally Posted by Lappa

Interesting that the advice comes from someone manufacturing masks

I agree it is unusual, you'd think all they would want to do flog masks.
The author's details are interesting

Paddy is the CEO of Smart Air, running operations from Beijing. He’s has a Masters in aeronautical engineering from Bristol University, UK having specialised in aerodynamics. An advocate for open data, free information and transparent business, he spends his spare time promoting honest business and social enterprise.

This guy also has the ability and facilities to test virus penetration of masks, not many people or places would be able to do that.

Advice from WHO.
When and how to use masks

The one that concerns us here is , wear a mask only

• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.

I suspect this is stated mainly to stop runs on masks by people that least need them. Interesting that both Taiwan and Singapore with populations which despite lengthy exposures have the lowest per capita cases of COVID19 and both adopted masks early in spite of the WHO advice. One reason they could do this is they both had massive stockpiles of masks available but the most likely impact on mask effectiveness is they reduce the number and length of face touching. The other thing is they serve as a visible reminder that something serious is going on. Imagine how many folks would continue to turn up at Bondi if everyone already on the sand was wearing a mask.

If I was teaching in a school I would consider wearing a mask even if it was to constantly communicate to students about the seriousness of the situation.

I'd be keen on that DIY mask design when its finalised.