Coronavirus: Forget gels – all you need is simple soap and water | Rick Jackson

Soap is made of loads and loads of lipids which break down the virus and kill the proteins.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the message being sent from the government to wash our hands, this is the best form of defence.

One thing that is really worrying me though is trying to convince some people of the seriousness of this pandemic.

My mum is diabetic and works in Tesco. My nan is 91. For me, they are both at very high risk and if you look at what has happened in Italy and Spain, being four to six weeks behind them is very scary.

Mum has a very relaxed attitude about it and doesn’t think it will affect her.

When I think of the number of people she comes into contact with at the till, it’s worrying, especially as she’s only been given some anti-bacterial gel before she heads to the checkout.

She tells me stories of people panic-buying toilet paper and gels. Some customers are rude and aggressive and shout at staff.

As the message to not make any unnecessary journeys, avoid pubs, theatres and clubs is absorbed, my thoughts go to those businesses and staff affected. Staff frantically cleaning ferries and trains after each trip, supermarket workers on the front line keeping shelves filled.

Then there are the companies whose businesses have lost virtually all custom. Restaurants, shops, theatres.

I hope by the time this gets printed, the government will have banned social gatherings as in other European countries, that way, businesses will be protected somewhat by their insurance.

The ‘bulldog’ spirit has to come to the fore to protect the vulnerable and see us through. We have a Whats App group down our road to look after such people. The hope is we pull together and by the summer, we’ll be over the worst. Stay safe and think of others.

My poor DIY skills have made me look just like Mrs Tishell

DIY is not my forte as you may have guessed. I decided not to fill the gaps between the bath and floor with expanding foam but loft insulation, it worked. Sadly, it caused the mother of all leaks.

My wife sent me a photo of water cascading down the walls by the front door after her morning shower. Turns out the insulation had loosened to pipe from the plug.

Anyway, removal of all material, tightening up and reapplying did the trick. But with all that contortionism, I’ve cricked my neck. Boy it’s painful. I can’t move my head much at all. I have to move my whole body to be able to look around, I’m like Mrs Tishell, from Doc Martin!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Kids will have to run behind while I warm my bottom…

I’ve finally bought a new car. After months of exhaustive online research, I went for a Hyundai Santa Fe.

We need seven seats and lots of room and this had the right balance of price, space and toys! Things like a heads up display, heated and cooled seats, a glass sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The car virtually drives itself.

I looked at lots of other cars, all excellent in their own way, but this ticked all the boxes. Now at 5am, I drive to work with a warm bottom and hands too as it has a heated steering wheel!

Unfortunately, I want to keep the car in top condition with that lovely new car smell. Not possible with a four and five-year-old with sticky fingers and manic feet!