Whyis everyne so obsessed with buying _antibacterial_ wipes and hand sanitisers?

Antibacterial sanitiser contains at least 70% alcohol. It will therefore kill this virus. We used it after shopping and before getting into the car, then a good hand wash at home.

Sanitiser outside, soap and water inside.

M0nica a disinfecting agent of some kind to kill a HCID like Covid-19 is what's required really so as long as the cleansing product does that (and doesn't cause damage & serious irritation by overuse) then that's all anyone does need to use on their skin. Using hand sanitisers is ok in small doses over a few day but without incorporating breaks of a day or two after a few days of use it can cause dermatitis ( something approximately 15% of nurses will suffer at some point) so I don't understand obsession about buying it except to use when out & about. People are being advised to socially distance and for some this means self isolating so the pragmatic approach to have it on one's person when outdoors is less significant. If, on the other hand, you do have to go out because it's unavoidable then it has its advantages so it's worth having one. Having a stockpile? Probably not necessary.

My husband has bottles of water and a bar of soap in the car with some paper towels. A bit primitive, but we couldnt get any antibac.

My husband’s business premises has no running water and therefore needs to have a 75% alcohol sanitiser available .He only managed to get one yesterday.

No idea! Yesterday we put disinfectant on kitchen roll and used it to clean our shopping trolley handle. We washed our hands when we got home.

Apparently good old soap and water are just as good as anti bac ( and kinder to your skin and wallet!) We have bought no anti bac gel, but we have soap and disinfectant.

A bit of both, perhaps?

I agree - is it just clever marketing, trading on public ignorance?