# Coronavirus and Splashing On Some Water **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [February 9, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-and-splashing-on-some-water/932560 "2021-02-09T21:59:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-and-splashing-on-some-water/932560/21 "2021-02-16T18:58:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > or an ammonia-based compound whose full name I can never remember, > **[Benzalkonium chloride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzalkonium_chloride)** > > Benzalkonium chloride (BZK, BKC, BAK, BAC), also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) and by the trade name Zephiran, is a type of cationic surfactant. It is an organic salt classified as a quaternary ammonium compound. ADBACs have three main categories of use: as a biocide, a cationic surfactant, and a phase transfer agent. ADBACs are a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides, in which the alkyl group has various even-numbered alkyl chain lengths. > Depending on purity, ... ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-and-splashing-on-some-water/932560/22 "2021-02-16T19:11:26Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Unless the “antimicrobial” wipe also had antiVIRAL properties, you’d have done just as well to wipe with a damp towel for that same amount of time. I have to assume that’s what they meant, as an antibacterial wipe would do zilch against coronavirus. If anyone said “antibacterial” in that presentation, I sure hope someone raised the question and called them out on the terminology. I wasn’t clear. She gave us a list (which I don’t have handy) of things that are often called “anti-bacterial,” on the front of the label, but are actually somewhat effective against viruses as well, as well as some things that are very effective against bacteria, but nada against viruses. We were told not to pay attention to the front of labels where it said either “anti-bacterial,” or “kills germs,” and read the actual list of ingredients. > [@](#): > > Interesting that a rinse under plain water is less effective than a plain dry towel (w/o pre-rinse). I’d be hard to convince that it’s worse than doing neither. I guess the real answer is to rinse your hands then wipe them off on your pants :). Again, my bad, I wasn’t clear. Splashing a little water on your hands, or using standing water is a bad idea. Scrubbing your hands together vigorously under RUNNING water is very good. Drying them vigorously with a clean towel afterwards is also very good. But letting them air dry after a scrub under running water, if that’s the best you can do, is better than nothing. But scrubbing them with a little bit of non-running water, and either air drying them, or drying them in something that isn’t clean, is not great. It might even be worse than nothing. It depends on whether your hands are visibly soiled, and just how dirty the towel is. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-and-splashing-on-some-water/932560/23 "2021-02-16T20:37:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” wipes usually contain a broad-spectrum toxin like alcohol, bleach, or an ammonia-based compound whose full name I can never remember, which are effective against pretty much everything, viruses included. I suppose that someone could make one with just a specifically antibacterial agent, but I don’t think anyone does. Benzethonium chloride, which is a quaternary ammonium compounds, is what is used in most antimicrobal wipes. It is a surfactant and general microbiocidal agent, but isopropyl alcohol is still more effective, and soap and water is more effective year as it will cling and distribute across the hand surface, entering every crevice instead of just superficially wiping the surface. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Interesting that a rinse under plain water is less effective than a plain dry towel (w/o pre-rinse). I’d be hard to convince that it’s worse than doing neither. Water by itself does nothing other than washing away superficial oils and dirt, and moist skin can potentially actually sustain viral activity for longer than just dry skin. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-and-splashing-on-some-water/932560.md?page=1)