Q. When you spray bleach solution on a doorknob, how long does it take to disinfect? I recall from an online class you should leave the spray on for at least five minutes before you wipe it down. Is that correct?

It would be helpful if you could do an article or maybe provide a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved link that would give specific and accurate info on exactly how to properly disinfect a doorknob or any surface. Is there any other way to disinfect a doorknob or other surface besides using bleach?

A. You are correct that a bleach solution of 4 teaspoons per quart should be left on the doorknob or tap handle for five minutes. That is adequate for disinfection. The CDC offers its guidance on a page titled Cleaning and Disinfection for Households.

The head of scientific research for Homeland Security, William Bryan, described tests conducted at the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center. The dilute bleach solution kills the coronavirus in five minutes. Isopropyl alcohol (70%) kills it in about 30 seconds.

Q. As a grieving father who lost his beautiful son to suicide, I would like to write about the dramatic increase in antidepressant drug use. Too many doctors are writing prescriptions for off-label use.

Doctors expect their patients to monitor changes in their own mental health even though antidepressants carry a black box warning about suicide ideation. This clearly states: “Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber.” In my experience, this is not happening.

People with mental health concerns should receive counseling before being prescribed any psychotropic drug. In my son’s case, his university psychiatrist treated “age-appropriate stress” as a mental illness and prescribed him paroxetine and clonazepam. That resulted in suicide ideation.

The thing that angers me the most is an answer my son wrote on a questionnaire in his medical records: “I wish I could feel the same as I did before taking psychotropic drugs.” If my son had never been prescribed psychotropic drugs, he would be alive today, happy and healthy.

A. We are so sorry to learn about this tragedy. We agree everyone who takes antidepressants should be monitored for suicidal thoughts.