Nairobi, Kenya’s governor proposed an interesting coronavirus plan that he felt could be beneficial to the needy. During a press conference Tuesday, Governor Mike Sonko revealed that along with the food packages being distributed to poor families in the community, he’d also be including “small bottles of Hennessy.”
According to Sonko, he has a logical reason for handing out care packages including 100ml bottles of Hennessy.
“From the research which has been conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) and various health organizations, it has been revealed that alcohol plays a very major role in killing the coronavirus or any sort of virus,” he said during the presser.
Sonko goes on to refer to the alcohol content in hand sanitizers and its disinfectant properties as part of his reasoning.
“If you take any sanitizer and check the alcohol content, you’ll find this to be true,” he explained.
In order to disinfect and protect against COVID-19, WHO recommends that alcohol-based sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizers have an alcohol content of at least 70%. Hennessy, like many cognac brands, only has an alcohol content of 40%, which is not strong enough to kill viruses. Furthermore, consuming alcohol will have the opposite effect, as it actually weakens the immune system when consumed in excess.
In response, Anne-Claire Delamere, Hennessy Kenya’s general manager released a statement saying, “Hennessy would like to stress that the consumption of our brand or any other alcoholic beverage does not protect against the virus.
In line with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health Kenya (MoH), Hennessy advises on washing hands regularly with soap and water or hydro-alcoholic gels, wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and staying at home.”
Sonko did include some very useful items in his care packages, however. Families will receive food, hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning products, and other household basics to go along with their Henny.
Although the government called for a ban on unofficial direct distribution of food due to a stampede leaving dozens injured last Friday, Sonko is working with officials to overturn their decision.
To date, Kenya has 225 confirmed cases of COVID-19.