As the world is struggling with the coronavirus epidemic, many are waking up to the importance of hand sanitizers. Even though the world has been using hand sanitizers for 50 years now, but it’s demand increased manifold in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
No one could deny that hand sanitizer is one of the most important tools in our fight against Coronavirus. According to one report, the demand for hand sanitizers and liquid soaps has gone up by 400%.
While many of us are aware of hand sanitizer and its dire need to maintain hygiene, there are very few who know the woman behind the idea of hand sanitizers.
Today, we are celebrating Lupe Hernandez, a student nurse from Bakersfield, who gave us the lifeline against coronavirus 50 years ago.
Her concern about the availability of water and soap for medical professionals before coming into contact with patients led to the discovery of hand-sanitizers. She realized the solution to her concern was in the alcohol-based gel.
According to a report published by The Guardian in 2012, she called an invention hotline she had heard about on television to register the patent.
Over 50 years from then, many lives have been saved from the infections because of hand sanitizers. As recently, many people took to social media to thank Lupe Hernandez for her invention.
Lupe Hernandez (Inventor of hand sanitizer) pic.twitter.com/PyAsqPRr4I
— SJWJamesBond Wants Nazis Banned ︽✵︽ Agent of GIRL (@mvbrat91) March 18, 2020
Thankkkkk You Lupe Hernandez ????????????????????????????????. Remembering the Life-Saving Lupe Hernandez, Hand Sanitizer Inventor https://t.co/YjqkjKKZAD
— Jose (@Mr_Hernandez_81) March 19, 2020
Hand sanitizer was invented by a woman named Lupe Hernandez. For that, we are eternally grateful. #WomensHistoryMonth https://t.co/qzTUu62ly2
— Fordham University Libraries (@FordhamLibrary) March 18, 2020
At IFORHER, we thank Lupe Hernandez as her invention has proven a life-line in these testing times. Though it is heartbreaking to see how the world almost took 50 years to appreciate Lupe’s magnificent discovery, it is a high time we express our gratitude to this amazing woman!