Fact checking the “Johns Hopkins” info on the novel coronavirus

I've seen a post on Facebook supposedly coming from somebody at Johns Hopkins. I thought I'd see what's true and what's false. Here's my research.

• The following is from Irene Ken, physician, whose daughter is an Asst. Prof in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, quite informative:
  • FALSE. This did NOT come from anyone at Johns Hopkins [1]

• The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
  • TRUE, sort of…the virus is a protein molecule, but could be DNA or RNA. Some bacteria and viruses – including the novel coronavirus - have lipid membranes.[2]
• Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
  • TRUE
    
• The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).
  • TRUE [1]
• By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
  • TRUE
• HEAT melts fat: this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything.
  • FALSE, sort of. Fats begin to liquify at 55-60° C (130-140°F). Too hot for handwashing. [2]
• In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful
  • TRUE [3]
•  Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
  • FALSE Alcohol cannot dissolve fat, but it can be used to disinfect surfaces. It should be left on for at least 30 seconds. [4]
    
•  Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
  • TRUE [5]
    
•  Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
  • FALSE. Oxygenated water is not the same a hydrogen peroxide. You can buy and drink oxygenated water (don’t know why you’d waste money on that, but…). You can’t drink peroxide. [6]
    
•  NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
  • TRUE

• NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
  - between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
  - 4 hours (copper and wood)
  - 24 hours (cardboard),
  - 42 hours (metal) and
  - 72 hours (plastic).
  But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
  • TRUE and FALSE. For example, the coronavirus lives only a couple of hours on copper. [7]
    
• The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.
  • TRUE for some viruses but whether it’s true for the novel coronavirus is not known
• They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
  • FALSE. In fact, most studied viruses seem to live longer at low relative humidity.
    
• UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
  • TRUE and FALSE. It's okay to use it on a mask but not on skin. There’s only one type of UV that can reliably inactivate Covid-19 – and it’s extremely dangerous. [8]
• The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
  • TRUE
    
• Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
  • TRUE
    
• NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
  • FALSE The strongest vodka, Spyritus, is about 95% alcohol [9], but it seems a waste to use it for a disinfectant.

• LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
  • FALSE Listerine is at best 27% denatured (undrinkable) alcohol. Lysol, however, is about 80%.
    
• The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
  • TRUE
    
• You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
  • TRUE
    
• You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
  • Humidify?! WTF? Moisturize maybe…
    
• Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
  • UNNECESSARY, probably. You cannot cut your fingernails short enough to prevent microbes from living there, but it is easier to get at the critters with a nail brush when you wash your hands.

REFERENCE SITES
[1] https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/johns-hopkins-covid-summary/
[2] https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-019-1182-0
[1]https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/health/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.htmlatatat
[2] https://www.nku.edu/~whitsonma/Bio150LSite/Lab%203%20Organic/Bio150LRLipidsII.htm
[3] https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/back-to-basics-how-temperature-affects-cold-process-soap/https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/back-to-basics-how-temperature-affects-cold-process-soap/
[4] https://www.rutgers.edu/news/best-ways-kill-coronavirus-your-home
[5]https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/does-disinfecting-surfaces-really-prevent-spread-coronavirus
[6]https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/24755/why-is-oxygenated-water-not-h2o2/126999
[7]https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/14/811609026/the-new-coronavirus-can-live-on-surfaces-for-2-3-days-heres-how-to-clean-them
[8] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200327-can-you-kill-coronavirus-with-uv-light
[9] https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/07/ten-of-the-worlds-strongest-spirits/11/