Disinfection fallacy: More than half of the respondents believe that diluted bleach can be stored overnight

The new crown pneumonia epidemic has lasted for two years, but a survey shows that some citizens and even cleaning workers have errors in the basic knowledge of cleaning and disinfection. Nearly half of the respondents mistakenly believe that diluted bleach is still effective for disinfection after being stored for more than 24 hours , Nearly 8 adults do not know that alcohol disinfection is only suitable for smearing.

The Cleaning Service Industry Trade Union stated that many cleaning companies in the industry did not provide adequate vocational training, which caused frontline workers to "real work and fake disinfection", which caused workers to be in danger of fighting the epidemic and increased the risk of the spread of the epidemic.

The trade union also urged the Hong Kong government to include new coronary pneumonia as an occupational disease as soon as possible to strengthen labor protection.

The Cleaning Service Industry Trade Union stated that many cleaning companies in the industry did not provide adequate vocational training, which caused frontline workers to "real work and fake disinfection", which caused workers to be in danger of fighting the epidemic and increased the risk of the spread of the epidemic.

(Photo by Chen Shuxia)

The Cleaning Services Trade Union and the Hong Kong Domestic Helpers General Union successfully interviewed 100 citizens through online questionnaires and telephones to understand their usage of cleaning and disinfectants in January this year. Among them, 30% of the respondents had or are currently engaged in cleaning industry.

The survey results show that nearly half of the citizens mistakenly believe that diluted bleach is still effective for disinfection after being stored for more than 24 hours; nearly 8 adults do not know that alcohol can only be used for disinfection of metal surfaces.

Another nearly 80% of the respondents did not know that alcohol disinfection is only suitable for smearing.

Insufficient industry training to clean or become "fake disinfection"

Huang Yuyuan, president of the Cleaning Service Trade Union, said that the epidemic has lasted for two years, but the survey revealed that front-line cleaning workers may not have the correct disinfection knowledge. There are relatively irresponsible companies, just ask them to sign their names, and they should be trained.” Huang continued, pointing out that without proper disinfection methods, even if the frontline workers properly complete the cleaning work, they may only become “fake disinfection”. Putting cleaning workers at risk is also difficult to curb the spread of the virus.

He also mentioned that although the labor sector has been fighting for a long time, the new crown pneumonia has not yet been listed as an occupational disease. Workers infected with the epidemic need to prove that they were infected during working hours, and it is difficult to claim compensation for work-related injuries.

He continued that 40 cleaning workers had to be sent to quarantine due to the outbreak in the community of Kwai Chung Village. During the quarantine period, they had to stop talking, and it was doubtful whether they could meet the conditions for applying for sick leave. We ask you to be considerate." He urged the government to amend relevant legislation to fill in the gaps, and to provide epidemic prevention allowances to frontline cleaning workers to strengthen support.

Wong also believes that after the cleaning workers in Kwai Chung Village were sent to isolation, the cleaning and disinfection services were left in a vacuum.

▼On January 14, the government announced that the ban on dine-in in the evening market was extended to February 3 on the third day of the new year▼

+18

Kwai Chung Village's epidemic area, Chen Heng-pong, pointed out that more than 1,000 cleaners were collected for help. Quarantine the garbage in Yak Kwai House. No one cleared the garbage in Kwai Chung Village. More than 40 cleaners in Xiao Kwai House, the number of cases increased by 5 times in the day Expanded to 19 stations