As brands step on one another to cash in on the pandemic ravaging the world now, Nigerian brands, as usual, are not left out with creative eggheads shunning out different copy to capture the attention of consumers.
While some are ingenious, some are downright unconvincing.
One of such is Hypo Bleach, which is a homecare product mostly used in washing plates, cleaning of toilets and tiles. The Sodium Hypochlorite bleach, where the product also got its name from, boasts of being a multipurpose product ‘aims to significantly impact the availability of hygiene and sanitation solutions for Nigeria’.
In a TV ad released by the manufacturing company behind Hypo, under ‘public interest’, to subtly hammer into consumers the existence of the dreaded virus here in Nigeria, it indirectly went ahead to inform them the need to stock up on Hypo Bleach to ensure cleanliness and be safe from the virus.
Coronaviruses (CoV), according to World Health Organisation, are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
WHO also stated that the standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.
It also warned that close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing should be avoided.
Whereas, sodium hypochlorite is an acid. And while sodium hypochlorite is used on a large scale in agriculture, chemical industries, paint- and lime industries, food industries, glass industries, paper industries, pharmaceutical industries, synthetics industries and waste disposal industries, various health effects occur after exposure to sodium hypochlorite.
Exposure by inhalation of aerosols causes coughing and a sore throat and if swallowed, sodium hypochlorite can cause stomach ache, a burning sensation, coughing, diarrhea, a sore throat and vomiting.
Sodium hypochlorite on skin or eyes causes redness and pain, this is why most often people suffer these effects after using the swimming pool, because it is often used to disinfect the water.
This means that misuse of Hypo Bleach causes most effects inherent in the symptoms of coronavirus.
Shouldn’t it have been better if Hypo Bleach had opted for just mentioning the prevention of the deadly disease as recommended by WHO instead of misinforming the public?
In addition to this, a quick check on its official website showed that information on safety use of the product is either intentionally omitted or otherwise.
See the video and let us know what you think in the comment section.
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