Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 November 19

= November 19 =

COVID-19 numbers in Turkey
Is there somewhere an unbiased estimate of the COVID-19 numbers in Turkey independent of official numbers that Turkish government gives? The stories I hear from hospital doctors and nurses make me scared. Thank you. Hevesli (talk) 17:20, 19 November 2020 (UTC)
 * I would never say these resources are "unbiased," but they reflect the views of the United States:
 * Alerts and Messages from the US Embassy in Ankara - links and information updated November 18, 2020.
 * Travel Advisory for U.S. Citizens.
 * The US Embassy publishes their opinions on the COVID-19 situation in Turkey (and elsewhere). I could not find "alternative" published numbers on cases or infection rates except for a link to official sources of the Turkish government; but there is an American interpretation of the situation, which can be summarized as serious, but below the level of the worst emergency conditions.  There is not, at this time, a travel restriction nor even a "do not travel" advisory.  That doesn't mean it's good: it just means we've seen worse situations in recent history.
 * Though in many respects our government is very broken right now, and our State Department has its deficiencies, I can truthfully say that the very first warning I received in late 2019 was from the fine civil servants in the STEP Advisory program who sent a travel advisory about this virus long, long, long before it was a political issue or even catching the top headlines at major news networks. American citizens and other American nationals can sign up for STEP notices at STEP via the Department of State.  The opinions expressed through that program are meant to keep traveling Americans safe, and do not necessarily coincide with the official policy statements and political messaging of the rest of the Department or government at large.
 * Nimur (talk) 03:40, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

Neutralising bleach
Is there a safe chemical for neutralising bleach for adding to the last rinse for making sure clothings will not be damaged by remaining bleach? Thank you. Hevesli (talk) 17:22, 19 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Bleach is an oxidizing agent, so to neutralize it you would need a reducing agent. Most advice I see here recommends sodium metabisulfite, as well as several commercial products designed for the purpose.  -- Jayron 32 19:03, 19 November 2020 (UTC)
 * One well known manufacturer of bleach recommends hydrogen peroxide for a neutralising rinse. [//www.clorox.com/how-to/laundry-basics/bleach-101/neutralizing-rinse/] However they also suggest simply rinsing is generally enough, and you only normally need such a rinse if you need to quickly stop further bleaching, such as when your using bleach for some sort of decorative effect. Nil Einne (talk) 19:28, 19 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Interesting question. My wife does any occasional bleaching in a separate bin, hand-washing. I wonder, would running a washer for a full cycle, with no laundry in it, serve to wash away all or most of any bleach residue? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 23:53, 19 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Most household Bleach are only a 3—6% solution of sodium hypochlorite and excess is easily removed simply by further dilution with water. A full wash cycle would not be needed, simply a brief rinse. Mike Turnbull (talk) 12:00, 20 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Aha, so running the washer in "second rinse" mode, for example, should be enough to take care of it. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:33, 20 November 2020 (UTC)
 * I don't even bother with an extra rinse. The residual bleach stops any mold/smells from developing. 41.165.67.114 (talk) 12:51, 20 November 2020 (UTC)
 * Sure. But what about the OP's original question? If the residual bleach neutralizes molds and smalls, what impact might it have on laundry? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:01, 20 November 2020 (UTC)
 * When I started living on my own, I had no washing machine and could not spare the money to go to a launderette. I also did not have a centrifuge or wringer, and not enough space in my 100 square foot attic room to properly hang out the laundry to dry. So on wet days it stayed damp for a relatively long time, long enough that any bleach remnants, while preventing mould from developing, could easily have damaged the fabric. --Lambiam 17:33, 20 November 2020 (UTC)