Now, lucky for us, coronaviruses are a bit like the oil mentioned in the above example: bits of genetic information - encoded by RNA - surrounded by a coat of fat and protein. Soap molecules attack splotches of grease. Surround the oil particles and move them away from one another. Basically, that happens because the soap is attracted to the grease, via its fat-loving side, but then tears it up, pulling it into the water via its water-loving side. But mix some soap into the oil and water and the oil will disperse. ![]() “That’s because fats don’t mix with water,” he says. Think about what happens when you pour some olive oil into water. “When you buy a conventional soap, it consists of a mixture of these amphiphiles,” Thordarson explains. It’s this dual-nature chemical construction that makes soap so effective. (If you’re looking out for product labels, the most common soap is “sodium laureth sulfate” - it’s a detergent that’s often mixed with other chemicals to both clean our hands and not damage our skin.) The other side of the molecule is attracted to fats and is repelled by water. ![]() One end of the molecule is attracted to water and repelled by fats and proteins. Soap, Thordarson explains, is common phrase for what chemists call “amphiphiles.” These are molecules that have a dual nature. In a recent phone call, he explained why soap is such an effective Covid-19 killer and why it’s so important to soap your hands for at least 20 seconds. Soap “is almost like a demolition team breaking down a building and taking all the bricks away,” says Palli Thordarson, a chemistry professor at the University of New South Wales, who posted a viral Twitter thread on the wonders of soap. You’re actually annihilating the viruses, rendering them harmless. That’s because when you wash your hands with soap and water, you’re not just wiping viruses off your hands and sending them down the drain. Stay informed, and stay safe, with Vox’s coronavirus coverage hub. Contact a health worker if you have symptoms.Wear at least a cloth mask in certain public settings.Stay home as much as possible, and do not go out if you are sick.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects. ![]() Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash.Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds.The CDC recommends several measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19:
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