I just watched an impressive Reactions video from the American Chemical Society. While the topic is certainly important -- how soap kills viruses -- I think the most impressive part is how they produced this video during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sam Jones, PhD, interviews Palli Thordarson, PhD, a chemist in New South Wales, Australia. She’s conducting her interview with Thordarson from her home office. Since her team is all working remotely, they don’t have access to all the high-tech ways that normal Reactions videos are produced. That didn’t stop Jones from going old-school and drawing diagrams with crayons and implementing some rudimentary stop-action video work.
For the most part, I’m sure most of you understand why soap is such a great defender against the likes of viruses. According to Thordarson, “It breaks up non-covalent interactions so the virus falls apart like a house of cards.”
Enjoy this “rustic” video. And be sure to share it with friends and family so they better understand the importance of washing your hands frequently.
And take inspiration from Jones. I know it’s put a spring in my step to find creative ways to do some of the things I took for granted just a few weeks ago. We are in this together -- stay the course, wash your hands and stay safe.
Traci Purdum has worked from her home office for 12 years but still finds the stay-at-home order in her state of Ohio to be lonesome. Finding ways to reach out to others is helping her combat that. Plus, she’s finding fun in picking new songs to sing while she washes her hands for at least 20-seconds. Her current favorite is “You Are My Sunshine.”
