Let's clear up a few things
First: Rubbing alcohol is 70% concentration. This is correct but for the US only. Other countries may have different rules (such as the UK). Simply read your bottle to see what you're getting
Second: Rubbing alcohol usually dries skin very quickly, as one poster noted, hence the need for some kind of moisturizer too.
[quote]do hand sanitizers expire?
No, alcohol does not expire. They do evaporate quickly, and they may get cloudy but that will not affect it. Alcohol made for drink also does not expire though the taste may change. Note: DO NOT DRINK RUBBING ALCOHOL
[quote] Mayo Clinic says Zinc Lozenges help the Rhinovirus from multiplying. I know fuck all about science, so no idea if that means it does the same for coronavirus.
This is incomplete. Studies do show that zinc does help, but they aren't sure. Here's the issue, just taking zinc does not show to work. You need to actually dissolve the lozenge slowly in your mouth. However, as anyone who has ever done this can attest, zinc has a very unique taste.
In order to PROVE something works you have to conduct double blind studies. This means neither the person receiving the drug nor administering the drug, knows if they are giving or getting the placebo. As mentioned, zinc's unique taste has prevented this. No one has been able to replicate the taste of zinc in a placebo, so the recipients always know if they're getting zinc or not. Remember they can't just swallow it, they have to let it dissolve in their mouths..
So studies do show it helps, but remember in any placebo test, around one third of people get better using a placebo, so this may not be accurate.
[quote]The CDC has repeatedly advised everyone to just wash their hands with regular soap and water. If regular hand washing is effective, why does sanitizer have to have a high alcohol content.....or any at all?
This is absolutely correct. The problem is not the statement but the actual administration. Studies show neither hot nor cold nor warm water matters. However one thing does matter. You need to soap up your hand and scrub them between 30 seconds to a full minute to be effective. Less than 30 seconds provides little benefit, and more than a minute provides no added protection.
People simply do not scrub their hands for a 30 seconds much less a minute to get the protection needed. So if you want to do that, go ahead it's totally effective, but remember to wash your hands for the correct amount of time