Weird Avian Flu related change in my office

[m&m's mom]

They have just replaced every soap dispenser w/ Purell dispensers. No soap in the building anymore. Supposedly due to Bird Flu.
Now really germ phobiac people like myself prefer to use both. I wash vigorously (while singing happy birthday song to myself twice - recommended length), use a paper towel to shut off the faucet, use same paper towel to open the door (throwing it in the trash on my way out) and then I Purell at my desk.
Laugh if you must, but I have not been sick (even a cold) for years.
Now no soap! We all feel like we are still dirty.
Is there evidence that hand washing is better anyway ?

 

[Maleficent13]

What is the logic behind the change? I have not heard of this.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I read that the Purell dispensers are the filthiest things around...Beware!

Seems stupid to have NO SOAP! I am not a big Purell fan. I think it is encouraging super-bugs. As a last resort it's okay but not instead of hand washing. Now I'll get off my SOAPBOX!

 

[diznygirl]

My nephew broke out in a rash on his hands from using too much Purell. And I break out in a rash from the soap. I guess we are hopeless!

 

[m&m's mom]

What is the logic behind the change? I have not heard of this.

No clue - it just arrived. You would have thought we were all told our vacation was cancelled.
We take our soap very seriously. Every time they changed brands of soap in the past there was an uproar. Amazing we get anything done around here.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would be bringing in my own, personal supply of hand soap. I am not a big fan of the Purell, either. I have heard that with extended use, it can really dry out your skin. The sickest person in my office is a Purell fanatic, if that tells you anything.

Denae

 

[CathrynRose]

Id bring my own soap pump.

Purell is a "gee, Im not by a sink, but need to clean my hands" subsitute for good ol' soap and water.

Go and get a pump of dial, you can keep at your desk. Removing soap altogether? Ridiculous.

 

[Binkrin]

This sounds weird... now what happens when people stop washing their hands and just use the Purell? Gross!

I would definetly bring my own soap pump.

 

[m&m's mom]

I read that the Purell dispensers are the filthiest things around...Beware!

Seems stupid to have NO SOAP! I am not a big Purell fan. I think it is encouraging super-bugs. As a last resort it's okay but not instead of hand washing. Now I'll get off my SOAPBOX!

Fortunately it is motion activated. Nothing to touch.

 

[m&m's mom]

We are already passing the til for soap contributions. It does raise the ick factor to not have soap. I am sure purely psychological.

 

[Nancy]

I'd be bringing my own soap with me. Purell is for emergency use when there is no soap and water available.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What is so great about Purell with regard to the Bird Flu or any other germ? Actually anti-bacterial stuff may be causing more harm than good. But ewwww no soap? ick.

 

[MosMom]

What is Purell going to do about the bird flu? It is a virus. Purell doesn't kill viruses. Hot water and washing vigorously with soap kills viruses. Purell is only anti-bacterial.

 

[m&m's mom]

I swear I read something on MSNBC that said anti-bacterial gels were not as effective as proper hand washing. They probably think people are more likely to use the Purell as wash their hands.
I still feel dirty.

 

[Ted and Holly]

What kills the germs in Purell is the alcohol, not any anti-bacteria agent, such as triclosan (active ingredient in Dial).

I have read that simple hand washing is better than trying to douse yourself in any antimicrobial agent.

In this situation, I would defintiely bring my own soap. I am not a germiphobe, but I do wash my hands often, probably more than most.

Ted

 

[luvwinnie]

The company DOES realize that bird flu hasn't hit the U.S., right? Nor has it become efficient at jumping from person to person...I do commend them though for being aware. I agree with you though that no soap is just disgusting.

 

[luvwinnie]

Fortunately, the influenza virus is not all that hard to kill.

---Heat will do it, 160 degrees F. or higher. Your dishwasher, washer and dryer and stove are lethal to the virus on surfaces at this temperature.
---To be safe, OSHA recommends cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 180 degrees to be sure it's fully cooked clear through.
---Alcohol will kill the virus, either in a 70% solution or in a waterless hand cleanser that has at least 60% alcohol content
---Lysol and other antiseptic cleansers that are labeled effective against viruses will kill it on hard surfaces if used as directed. Be sure the label specifically states that the product kills influenza virus, not just bacteria. A virus is not a bacteria.
---Chlorine bleach in a dilution of a quarter cup bleach to a gallon of water will kill influenza virus, as will chlorine-containing scouring powder. (Bleach solution deteriorates quickly, so you have to mix a new batch every day.)
---Even plain sunlight will kill the virus after a period of several hours of direct exposure.
---Time will kill it if it's dried out: after two days or so, dried-up virus in dust dies. In moist conditions, however, it can survive much longer.

But you can't kill the virus by


---Freezing or refrigerating it
---Washing it off with soap and water.

This is important to understand: To be sure, wash your hands thoroughly, but know that you are mechanically removing the virus from your skin by friction, then rinsing it down the drain rather than killing it. This is true even if you use antiseptic soaps, so don't bother using a special soap.

If you are not thorough with your scrubbing and rinsing, virus particles will remain between your fingers and around and under your nails. To be sure you've scrubbed long enough, sing the alphabet song through twice before you put your hands under the water to rinse them. Washing your hands is still the best way to prevent flu, just be sure you do it properly or it won't work.

Stay tuned for more tips about avian flu prevention.

 

[Snowysmom]

Purell is extremely drying to the hands. It makes the skin on my hands crack so I am sure it is easier for germs to get in. Soap and water is the best way to go. I thought Purell was supposed to be used when nothing else was available.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Purell is extremely drying to the hands. It makes the skin on my hands crack so I am sure it is easier for germs to get in. Soap and water is the best way to go. I thought Purell was supposed to be used when nothing else was available.

Thats what I always thought also. You have to be careful with Purell. It contains alcohol which can react with some things you might have on your hands.

The whole no soap thing is just ewww.

 

[Talking Hands]

It has been shown that plain old vigorous washing with soap and wash is the best way to clean your hands of germs. If Purell was the best thing I would think that hospitals would have changed theie procedures to use only the antibacterial gels.
Bring your own soap with you as well as your own thing of antibacterial gel.