Reckitt Benckiser (RB), the company behind Dettol and Lysol, has warned that ‘under no circumstance’ should the products be administered into the human body – following bizarre comments from Donald Trump yesterday that suggested injecting disinfectant could help treat coronavirus.
In a press briefing, the US president said it would be ‘interesting to check’ whether or not a disinfectant injection might help fight the novel coronavirus.
In front of reporters, he said: “I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute, one minute, and is there a way we can do something like that? By injection inside or almost a cleaning.
“As you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So that you’re going to have to use medical doctors. But it sounds interesting to me.”
Dr. Deborah Birx, who is heading the President’s Covid-19 task force, sat in silence beside him.
RB has since confirmed what we all expected, saying in a statement that people DEFINITELY should not start injecting or ingesting any disinfectant products.
The statement said: “Due to recent speculation and social media activity, RB (the makers of Lysol and Dettol) has been asked whether internal administration of disinfectants may be appropriate for investigation or use as a treatment for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
“As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).
“As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information.
“We have a responsibility in providing consumers with access to accurate, up-to-date information as advised by leading public health experts. For this and other myth-busting facts, please visit Covid-19facts.com.”
At the press briefing, Trump also relayed other techniques that scientists are reportedly looking into that could help, such as using UV radiation.
He said: “Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light?”
“And I think you said, that hasn’t been checked but you’re going to test it.
“And then I said supposing you brought the light inside the body which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. And I think you said you’re going to test that too. Sounds interesting.”
