We all know that finding hand sanitizer is especially hard right now, and its scarcity is really starting to stress people out, especially those who are the most vulnerable. Since stress weakens the immune system, it’s a problem that needs quick solutions.

Thankfully, there are some out there who aren’t waiting to be told what to do in this crisis and are doing what they can to help. Via CNN:

Distilleries are stepping in to help combat the hand sanitizer shortage by using the alcohol in their facilities to create their own alcohol-based solutions. Some are packaging it in small bottles while others are encouraging people to bring in their own containers for refills.

Old Fourth Distillery in Atlanta started making hand sanitizer and distributing it for free on Thursday.

“Due to the recent reports of outages and low supply in our community, We have decided to provide hand sanitizer free of charge to anyone in need. Made with aloe vera gel and 95% ethanol,” the business wrote in an Instagram post last week. “This is no substitute for washing your hands but in a pinch it will get the job done.”

According to the distillery’s IG page, they’ve already run out:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

March 16th update: Thanks everyone for the tremendous amount of support! Due to the overwhelming need of first responders and healthcare workers we have shifted our efforts to fulfill those needs as they are on the front lines dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. We will no longer be providing hand sanitizer to individuals at our 487 Edgewood location. Please stay home if you can!

A post shared by Old Fourth Distillery (@oldfourthdistillery) on Mar 17, 2020 at 9:04am PDT

Via the BBC, we learn that Scottish distilleries are doing the same:

Verdant Spirits, based in Dundee’s west end, hopes to produce 400 litres of the gel, starting this week. The company, and two other distilleries in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, were approached by care partnerships. Owner Andrew Mackenzie tracked down the ingredients listed on the World Health Organisation’s website.

He said: “We put out a Facebook call because we couldn’t track down any hydrogen peroxide and that paid off, so we’ve got that covered.

“We’ve got 20 litres of glycerine coming which is all we can get, because they’re rationing.”

Any interested distillers (and moonshiners) can find the ingredients list and directions from the World Health Organisation here.

UPDATE: It looks like the North Shore’s Sons of Vancouver is already on it:

UPDATE: And so is East Van’s own Odd Society Spirits:

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Hello// Many of you have been asking/wondering. Yes, we have been working hard to produce a hand sanitizer for the past week. Based on limited supply and incredible demand, we have decided to DESIGNATE it for not-for-profit organizations helping Vancouver’s most vulnerable population. Supply is very limited so it will NOT be available for retail or personal use at this time. We are having trouble sourcing some ingredients (aloe vera and glycerin). Without these necessary ingredients we can not produce more hand sanitizer. We ask for your patience and understanding as we find solutions. If your organization is not-for-profit and in need of hand sanitizer, we ask that you email us at [email protected] and include: ??Name of your organization ??Name of your executive director and please cc them ??Your name and role within the organization ??Address ??Website link If anyone has a line on glycerin, please let us know. Aloe would also be great but we can make it without aloe but not without glycerin. We are also desperately trying to partner with an organization that will donate 100mL spray bottles or smaller so we can stretch out our supply and get it into more hands. If you are that compassionate business, please email us at [email protected].

A post shared by Odd Society Spirits (@oddsocietyspirits) on Mar 19, 2020 at 2:16pm PDT