How does soap kill COVID-19?

#036

Ok so we've known for awhile how soap works in a general use sense, like how it cleans dishes (see episode 1). But these weird times call for a deeper look at soap. How can it kill a virus? Or more importantly, how can it kill a little, wretched, mischievous virus like COVID-19? Like really, how? How is it that we can use soap to both get spaghetti sauce off a plate, and kill a dangerous virus? We're always told to wash our hands well, and that it's important, but if you think about it for a second, it's crazy that we put something on our hands, and rub them together under water, and then we're good to go. Right? Let's get into it.

References from this episode

1. Viral Infections and Global Change - Sunit Kumar Singh
2. Inactivation of Human and Avian Influenza Viruses by Potassium Oleate of Natural Soap Component Through Exothermic Interaction - Kawahara et al
3. Effectiveness of Liquid Soap and Hand Sanitizer against Norwalk Virus on Contaminated Hands -  Liu, Yuen, Hsiao, Jaykus, and Moe
4. Show Me the Science: Why Wash Your Hands? - United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
5. Clean & Disinfect - United State Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
6. When and How to Wash Your Hands - United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
7. Show Me the Science: How to Wash Your Hands - United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   
   

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