With over 31 million confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and more

than 821,000 COVID-19 deaths globally , scientists around the world are competing
against time to fast-track the development of new treatments and vaccines to combat
the disease. There will be many months of testing and refining before a COVID-19
vaccine is deemed safe, effective and ready to be administered to the general
public. So, we know COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Until
then, regular handwashing with soap remains one of the most effective measures in
keeping infections at bay.

If there�s one household product critical to stemming the spread of COVID-19, it�s
the humble, and effective bar of soap. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce the
spread of pathogens and help prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus.

You can play your part by adopting good hand hygiene habits daily. When you wash
your hands with soap and water, you�re not just washing away viruses off your hands
and sending them down the drain. You�re playing an active role in preventing the
spread of COVID-19 virus, which is primarily transmitted via respiratory droplets
or physical contact.

�Sars-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, belongs to the family
of enveloped viruses. Enveloped viruses have a jacket made up of lipids and
proteins that allows them to exist and helps them to enter human cells when your
hands touch your face,� says Samir Singh, executive vice-president, Global Skin
Cleansing at Unilever.

�Unfortunately, human skin is an ideal surface for germs, including enveloped

viruses, to stick to. The proteins and fatty acids on the skin�s surface bind to
the germs like glue. Water alone cannot effectively break this interaction. Soapy
water, however, is very different.