COVID-19…
Is your state opening up?
May 12, 2020
This is good, straightforward scientific info. If you're leaving your home and going out into the world, heed this information. Knowing the risks is the only way to avoid them. Here’s an excerpt:
The risks. Know them. Avoid them.
By Professor Erin Bromage
Comparative Immunologist and Professor of Biology (specializing in Immunology) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
“It seems many people are breathing some relief, and I’m not sure why. An epidemic curve has a relatively predictable upslope and once the peak is reached, the back slope can also be predicted. We have robust data from outbreaks in China…
“As states reopen, and we give the virus more fuel, all bets are off. I understand the reasons for reopening the economy, but I've said before, if you don't solve the biology, the economy won't recover…
“There are very few states that have demonstrated a sustained decline in numbers of new infections. Indeed, as of May 3rd the majority are still increasing and reopening…So throughout most of the country we are going to add fuel to the viral fire by reopening. It's going to happen if I like it or not, so my goal here is to try to guide you away from situations of high risk.
“Where are people getting sick?…”
Excellent advice on dealing with Covid-19
March 29, 2020
I’m spending an inordinate amount of my self-isolation time doing research, and learning a lot. I won’t burden you with technical information or information you’ve probably already heard, but I will post info I find enlightening and important. Here are two of the most recent:
WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS VIRUS?
Covid-19 virus information from the State of California info sheet:
The Covid virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (a mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed. Rather, it decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity, and type of material upon which it rests.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam cuts the fat. That, in turn, is why one needs to wash hands for a full 20 seconds, to make a lot of foam. By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule collapses.
* Heat melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes, and everything. In addition, hot water makes more soap foam and that makes it even more useful.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% dissolves fat, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water helps because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but one must use it pure and it hurts skin.
* Antibiotics are useless. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; one cannot kill what is not alive, and that is what anthobiotics do.
* Never shake used or unused clothing, sheets, or cloth. While the virus is lying on most porous surfaces, such as fabric, it is quite inert... but will still take roughly 3-6 hours to degenerate to a non-threat; 4 hours on copper surfaces (copper is naturally antiseptic) and wood; 24 hours for cardboard; 42 hours for hours metals other than copper; and 72 hours plastics. If one shakes a piece of cloth or use a feather duster, any virus molecules resting on these items can float in the air for up as fine particulate, not unlike dust, and could conceivably lodge in one's nose.
* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold or artificially induced chilled areas, such as air conditioners in houses and cars. The virus molecules also need moisture to stay stable, and they need darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm, and bright environments will degrade it more quickly.
* UV light on any breaks down the virus protein. But be careful, as it also breaks down collagen (which is a protein) in the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and potentially skin cancer.
* The virus CANNOT penetrate healthy skin!
* Vinegar is not useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
* Only alcohol that is 130 proof (65% alcohol) or higher will work.
* Listerine will not work. It is not 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* This is a given: wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc., and of course when using the bathroom.
* You should moisturize hands that are dry from too much washing, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
*Keep your nails clipped so that the virus does not easily hide there.
Coronavirus can survive on common materials for hours or even days. Here's what you need to know and how to protect yourself.
If you suspect a material in your environment may have been infected with the virus, wipe or spray it down with disinfectant and let it dry. If it’s in your home, on a hard surface like a countertop, first clean the surface with soap and hot water. When that dries, use a disinfectant and let it dry.
Here’s how long the virus can stay viable on common materials:
In air: 24 hours
On cardboard: 24 hours
On plastic: Up to 72 hours
On stainless steel: 203 days
On copper: 4 hours
On glass: 4 days
Source: The New England Journal of Medicine via USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2020/03/25/coronavirus-survives-on-metal-plastic-cardboard-common-objects/2866340001/
THE PROPER WAY TO DISINFECT
From the Washington Post, March 26, 2020
To begin, we need to understand that most of us will not contract covid-19 by staying at home. Joseph Vinetz, a Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist, says, “We have no evidence whatsoever that people can get this virus at home. Period.” Unless, of course, somebody who has been exposed enters your house and coughs, sneezes or is in close proximity to you for more than 15 minutes. The real risk of contracting the disease is going out in public.
Vinetz says that people need to think logically; if you are quarantined at home and no one in your house is infected or showing symptoms, then regular good household hygiene should be sufficient.
Good household hygiene means cleaning and disinfecting the same areas you tackle in normal times. Brian Sansoni, senior vice president at the American Cleaning Institute, says to pay attention to food preparation surfaces and other high-touch surfaces, including light switches, faucets, remote controls, doorknobs, refrigerator door and microwave handles, and your computer keyboard. Sansoni echoes Vinetz’s advice, “You don’t need to panic-clean. Smart, targeted hygiene throughout the day and week is the best way to go.”
Before disinfecting, remove any visible dirt and grime; this will help the disinfectant do its job. Vinetz and Sansoni recommend using tried-and-true disinfectants such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite), hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide expires six months after opening but can last up to three years unopened), grain alcohol (ethanol, found in beverages), and rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. If you purchase any over-over-the-counter products that say “disinfectant” on the label, Sansoni says they are required to meet government specifications; but to be sure the product has met all government requirements for effectiveness, look for an EPA Registration Number on the label. He also says you must follow the product label instructions exactly for the disinfectant to be effective. Vinetz says to look for any product that has an alcohol content of 60 percent or higher.
When using any type of disinfectant, both Vinetz and Sansoni emphasize the importance of waiting 30 seconds to several minutes (check the label for timing) for the product to effectively kill a germ or virus. Vinetz also says it’s a myth that wiping surfaces in circles spreads the virus around; no matter how you apply a disinfectant — spraying or wiping — as long as you wait for the area to dry, the germs will be killed.
Sansoni says bleach is one of the most economical disinfecting agents. He says to create a bleach/water solution per the label instructions, or follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended recipe of a third-cup bleach per gallon of water or four teaspoons bleach per quart of water. But when using bleach, Sansoni and Vinetz stress one thing: Never mix bleach and ammonia together, as it creates a dangerous and potentially deadly chlorine gas.
Kurt Zilm, chair of the Yale University Chemistry Department, cautions against mixing any products together because the outcome could be dangerous (or one product could simply neutralize another, causing it to be ineffective).
For hard, durable surfaces that are meant to be chemically resistant, such as metals, granite or tile, use any disinfectant you have on hand. For porous surfaces including marble, consult the surface manufacturers’ recommendations for the best ways to clean them to avoid damage. Don’t use any cleaners that are acidic on a porous material; it will ruin the surface. And last, if disinfecting any surfaces that come into contact with food (like counters or cutting boards), rinse them with water after the disinfectant dries.
Zilm says that just about any disinfectant and cleaner is safe to use on glass because glass is chemically inert. “But,” he cautions, “you need to be careful particularly with other clear plastic materials like polycarbonate and Plexiglass, because a lot of cleaners can cloud those by breaking up their surfaces.” In those cases, use a specially formulated product (check with the manufacturer) or use soap and water, which Vinetz and Zilm say, in most cases, will render the virus less effective or kill it.
When you bring mail or boxes into your house, washing your hands after handling is sufficient, but Vinetz says you should spray the outside of reusable shopping and grocery bags with a disinfectant, because they have been in a highly public place.
And when it comes to protecting yourself and your family, Vinetz says to ditch the gloves. “Unless you are wearing gloves to protect your hands from drying and cracking while washing the dishes, then you should forget them. They are harmful, because they will just give you a false sense of protection.” Better to just wash your hands and not touch your face.
Facts (and myths) about boosting your immune system
April 24, 2020
As the new coronavirus continues to spread across the country, having an optimally functioning immune system is more important than ever. Medical professionals say it is important not to rush to buy supplements and vitamins that promise to enhance your immune system; there isn’t much evidence that such products do any good. Instead, they say, stick with the seven more mundane, but proven, approaches:
Keep stress levels down
Exercise
Get adequate sleep
Make sure your vaccines are up to date
Eat nutritional foods
Eat plenty of plain yogurt every day
Don’t smoke or vape
For more info on these five approaches to boosting your immune system, check out The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2020: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facts-and-myths-about-boosting-your-immune-system-11584050588
pfas harm immunity
April 25, 2020
“Toxic PFAS chemicals, notorious for contaminating drinking water supplies across the U.S., are harmful to nearly every human organ, and the immune system is particularly vulnerable. PFAS mixtures, which are used in a variety of consumer products, can be found in the body of nearly every American and in the developing fetus.
Now studies suggest a connection between PFAS exposure and health problems, including suppressed immune function, lower vaccine effectiveness, hypersensitivity and greater risk of autoimmune diseases. A recent review of human epidemiological studies shows that PFAS may influence antibody response to vaccination and other health issues, such as asthma.
Read on: “PFAS Harm the Immune System, Decrease Response to Vaccines” by Tasha Stoiber Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Environmental Working Group. https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2019/06/pfas-chemicals-harm-immune-system-decrease-response-vaccines-new-ewg?utm_
Where To Find PFAs
Scientists are increasingly concerned about a new class of chemicals found in our houses. They are polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS, known as "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment and in the human body—meaning they don’t break down and accumulate over time, leading to adverse health effects, like cancer, increased cholesterol, thyroid conditions, and auto-immune disorders.
They’re widely used to make water-, grease-, and stain-repellant coatings. You’ll find them on carpets and clothing, in microwave popcorn bags, and fast-food wrappers. The fabric may be labeled with brands such as Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster, Polartec, or Gore-Tex, to name but a few. The wristband of the new Apple watch sport model is made with PFAS chemicals. They’re even in Oral-B dental floss. Their presence in human blood is a near-universal phenomenon in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: https://www.ewg.org/key-issues/toxics/nonstick-chemicals
immune-boosting foods
March 20, 2020
Here are a few immune-boosting foods for eating clean, from my favorite web-based cook, Heather Christo:
COCONUT OIL: Coconut Oil is jam-packed with lauric acid, which is a natural antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. Coconut oil also boosts an already weakened immune system by improving white blood cell counts, which helps the body directly fight viruses.
GARLIC: Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs and enhance immune function. Garlic is particularly protective against the common cold and the flu.
GINGER: Ginger is a strong antioxidant that has been shown to naturally boost the immune system. It contains tons of vitamins, some of which are magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium. Ginger helps kill cold viruses and has been said to combat chills and fever.
ONION: Onions are packed with immune-boosting nutrients like selenium, sulfur compounds, zinc, and vitamin C. In addition, they are one of the best sources of quercetin, a potent flavonoid, and antioxidant that has antiviral properties as well as histamine regulating effects.
ALMONDS: Almonds are high in vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant in your body and helps immune system function. Almonds are also high in iron and protein that are also essential for your immune system.
TURMERIC: Turmeric is a natural way to help bolster the immune system by increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the body. Try adding extra turmeric into your diet during periods of stress or during flu season to help give your immune system a little boost.
CURRY: The spice has also been used in India’s traditional Ayurvedic remedies for 2,500 years. Now American and Danish scientists have found curcumin increases levels of a protein called CAMP that helps the immune system to fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi the first time they try to attack.
BAYLEAF: Eugenol also has anti-oxidant properties and bay leaves themselves are packed full of other vitamins and minerals necessary for a high-functioning body. Because of this, burning and ingesting bay leaves has the capacity to boost your immune system.
RED BELL PEPPERS: Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus.
SWEET POTATOES: Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene — a carotenoid that converts into vitamin A — which helps boost the immune system and lower the risk for various diseases.
Naturopathic tips
By Gayle Curtis, Whispers, Des Moines, Iowa
April 2, 2020
Stay hydrated, keep a warm drink with you and sip on it all day. Water is good, but the warm drinks seem to also be very beneficial. Warming herbs (think chai spices) are very good right now. We take our Immune Boost tincture daily as well as the virus tincture I put together and an additional lung support because we lived in a mold filled home for a time. We are also taking a good multi vitamin and addition E and D.
Deep breathing mulitple times daily, fill the lungs, preferable after a warm beverage. Propolis - as long as you don't have bee allergies. Propolis is thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, but there haven't been any studies to verify this. I use propolis and think it's pretty amazing stuff. Do your best to keep your stress levels at a minimum. Stay well.
If you smoke or vape, now’s the time to stop
April 15, 2020
Smoking anything--or almost worse, vaping--is a big problem. Medical professionals tell us that smoking tobacco, cannabis, or vaping paralyzes nose hairs so they can’t filter out pollutants and droplets. In addition, smoking suppresses the immune system, and it hits the lungs, compounding complications. Even occasional use raises complications.
During this time of high tension, many people are smoking cannabis to calm themselves. Smoking weed makes it more difficult for a doctor to diagnose symptoms. You can’t tell if the cough is from smoking or from the coronoavirus. It’s important, if you do need to see a doctor, to be honest about your drug use. After all, it’s your health that’s at stake.
Pulmonologist Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, summed up the problem this way: "It's common sense that anything you inhale that has been combusted and contains particles or chemicals can inflame your airways. So you're already making your body fight off foreign particles before it even has to fight off the infection."
If you smoke or vape, please take this time to stop and cleanse your body of pollutants.
Source: https://www.kcci.com/article/smoking-weed-and-coronavirus-even-occasional-use-raises-risk-of-complications/32104521. And https://www.kcci.com/article/how-smoking-vaping-and-drug-use-might-increase-risks-from-covid-19/31805653
Take it easy on alcohol
April 18, 2020
It comes as no surprise that, during this pandemic, Americans are buying alcoholic beverages in bulk. Alcohol sales went up 22 percent for the week ending March 28th when compared to the same week a year ago.
It should also come as no surprise that alcohol can be bad for you, especially when you’re stuck at home in the midst of a health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Not something you’d particularly want in the midst of a pandemic.
Consuming alcohol raises your risk of contracting COVID-19, according to the WHO, and will also make matters worse if you do get infected. The Organization also debunked the dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the coronavirus.
Conquering fear
April 7, 2020
If you’re like me, you’re having a difficult time dealing with anxiety and fear during this pandemic. That’s only natural. It takes an act of will to shut down anxiety. The problem is that most people have not learned how to distinguish the teaching of their inner voice from their fears. They have not learned to tell the difference between the voice of the ego and the voice of the spirit. The ego is constantly blaring about disaster and guilt. The spirit or inner teacher is whispering calm, centered guidance, as The Course in Miracles teaches.
The following helpful advice comes from The Washington Post, on how to conquer fear during the COVID-19 pandemic:
“First, eat whole foods, which are dense with immunity boosting nutrients. Second, talk with other humans by phone or video. Third, sleep (ideally at the same time each night, more or less). Fourth, exercise at least 30 minutes a day. And finally, try to do something that keeps your brain resting in the present for a little while (whether it’s gardening, listening to music or meditating). Maybe cleaning is that thing for you. Fine. But read up first. Make sure you’re going to war with the weapon you need, not the weapon that slowly poisons you.”
Source: “Five ways to conquer your COVID-19 fears,” by Amanda Ripley, April 6, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/06/five-ways-conquer-your-covid-19-fears/?arc404=true
Face mask info
April 8, 2020
Good tip: To disinfect and reuse your face mask, put it in a Ziplock bag and microwave for two to three minutes.
what you need to know about face masks
Source: Mother Nature Network, mnn.com, by Mary Jo Dillonardo, April 9, 2020. https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/face-masks-expert-health-advice-directions?
how to clean, reuse, or hack a covid mask
Please, wear a mask when out in public. For your safety, and for the safety of others.
When it comes to social distancing, think of your household as one unit
April 15, 2020
In terms of virus transmission, seemingly small social chains get large and complex with alarming speed. If one person puts themselves at risk, everyone in the unit is at risk. If your son visits his girlfriend, and you later sneak over for coffee with a neighbor, your neighbor is now connected to the infected office worker that your son's girlfriend's mother shook hands with. This sounds silly, but it's not. It’s borne out in the data.
You can't cheat it. People are already itching to cheat on social distancing precautions just a "little"- a playdate, a haircut, picking up a needless item at the store. This very quickly recreates a highly connected social network that undermines all of the work the community at large has done so far.
Until we get a viable vaccine this unprecedented outbreak will only be overcome by the collection of individual choices we all make in the coming months. This virus is unforgiving to unwise choices. In the coming weeks it will be easy to be drawn to the idea that we can 'cheat' a little bit. Don’t do it. We all need to persevere in this time of uncertainty.
Keep being good to each other. Keep each other safe.
Double your bubble
May 9, 2020
Three Canadian provinces have rolled out a new pandemic policy, called “double bubble.” In Newfoundland, Labrador, and New Brunswick (which are loosening restrictions in phases) households are now allowed to “double their bubble” by choosing one other household with which to interact.
Sounds like a good idea, if everyone is being very careful and if it doesn't lead to resentment over which household to choose.
I’ve doubled my bubble by welcoming my middle-aged son into my bubble. He swears he’s been distancing for over a month now, and I believe him. He’s alone in his bubble. I’ve been distancing, too.
One caveat: An article in The Atlantic advised against no hugging.
Deep breathing may help with COVID symptoms
May 10, 2020
Ordering takeout food IS a safe option…
…if you handle food and packages in a proper manner.
April 16, 2020
Though it’s likely safer to cook with ingredients at home, takeout orders from restaurants are generally safe, as well. And it has the added benefit of helping local restaurants survive during this pandemic. Always remember to wash your hands after touching the delivery bag, plate, utensils or anything that someone else may have touched. The food itself, especially hot food, should be fine.
Be sure to discard the delivery bag and outer packaging outside of your home. Place any containers you do bring inside in the sink rather than on the counter or kitchen table, and disinfect the sink after your meal. If you have any leftovers you want to save for a future meal, store them in your own storage containers. As an extra precaution, use your own plates, utensils, and napkins instead of the disposable ones that come with your meal.
Source: “Takeout food and package delivery: Is it safe?” https://scrubbing.in/takeout-food-and-package-delivery-is-it-safe/?utm_
Practice package safety
April 16, 2020
A common question during this pandemic is whether it’s safe to order goods online to be delivered to your home, including meal delivery kits. The answer? Yes! But always make a point to wash your hands after touching a package. The same goes for mail.
In one study, remnants of the COVID-19 virus lasted 24 hours on the surface of cardboard. Though it’s not certain if that remnant of the virus was alive and contagious, we should assume that it might be. Though the CDC has stated the risk of acquiring COVID-19 from mail or packages is low, always proceed to wash and disinfect your hands before and after you open a package of any kind.
Source: “Takeout food and package delivery: Is it safe?”, https://scrubbing.in/takeout-food-and-package-delivery-is-it-safe/?utm_
A piece of good news
April 20, 2020
One effect of the coronovirus situation is that humanity in total is creating fewer toxins and less pollution. The air, the skies, and the waterways are all cleaner. Before this crisis, 37,000 barrels of jet fuel per day were burned. Now, that is close to zero. Burning of motor fuels has been reduced vastly, as well. So, it turns out we can reduce if we have to.
Now we know what radical action looks and feels like. We might make a point to decide now to set some limits when we bring things back up to some speed. We have, at least, demonstrated that it's possible to use less, do less, and slow down.
However it may work out, we are at a transition point in the history of our global civilization. This is a rare moment when we can make a better world; we just have to decide what that means. Most of us would need to agree on a few basics, like we need to keep the planet, the food, the water, and the air much cleaner.
Source: https://www.barrons.com/articles/fuel-demand-is-cratering-like-never-before-51586379540
No need to disinfect groceries
April 13, 2020
You don’t need to disinfect your groceries after bringing them home, according to many experts. This, from Maria Godoy for National Public Radio:
“Many shoppers are now following elaborate routines to disinfect their groceries, thanks to a viral video put out by a Michigan family doctor. But all of the experts we spoke with say that disinfecting and hand-washing every last item in your grocery haul is really not necessary. You might find it comforting to know that none of these experts are doing this themselves.
Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, “explains that the probability of getting infected from a contaminated surface is not zero, but it is fairly low. That's because respiratory droplets would have to have landed on the exact spot on, say, a box of cereal that you are touching. And even then, you'd have to get enough residual virus on your hand to start an infection — and you'd have to transfer that virus to your face. Bottom line: If you follow good hand-hygiene practices — washing your hands after unpacking your groceries, before cooking and before eating — then, she says, your risk is probably "very, very low."
Dr. David Aronoff, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, notes, "Time is really on your side here." That's because as soon as the virus lands on a surface, it starts to lose infectiousness. "After 24 hours, the vast majority of virus is no longer infectious," he says. And after 72 hours, he notes that research has found the virus is trace or undetectable on most surfaces. So if you know that you're not going to use a can of soup for two or three days, he says, just put it away, wash your hands and go about your day. And one more thing: Make sure to wipe down your countertops after you unpack.
“If you're still worried and it's a food that doesn't need to be refrigerated, just leave it out for 24 hours.'‘
shopping safely
For more information on shopping safely, this is an excellent source:
Get a pulse oximeter
May 4, 2020
The coronavirus appears to have two tracks—one is respiratory (cough, fever, body aches) the other a depletion of oxygen leading to shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. Though both can be be fatal if not caught in time, you can save yourself some time and worry by testing for oxygen depletion at home.
Dr. Richard Levitan, an emergency physician based in Littleton, New Hampshire, argues patients should be going to hospitals sooner and that medical professionals and people experiencing early symptoms could use a small device you clip on your fingertip, called a pulse oximeter, to help detect the virus earlier by revealing oxygenation problems and elevated heart rates. Dr. Levitan, who volunteered at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for 10 days at the height of the COVID-19 surge in April, based his opinion on what he saw on the COVID ward.
A pulse oximeter is a measure of identifying how well the lungs are working, and can be an early warning system for patients with COVID pneumonia, according to Dr. Levitan. Because it’s an early warning, a low oxygen level recorded by a pulse oximeter can save COVID patients the experience of being put on a ventilator. Doctors stress, though, that trouble breathing is a serious symptom that means you should get medical attention right away.
Pulse oximeters are available on Amazon for between $25 and $80.
Source: “ER Doctor: Pulse Oximeters Detect Oxygen Deprivation Earlier from COVID-19, Help Avoid Ventilators,” Democracy Now, May 4, 2020. https://www.democracynow.org/2020/5/4/dr_richard_levitan_pulse_oximeter?utm_source=Democracy+Now%21&utm_campaign=f5e4323c3e-
Doing laundry
April 10, 2020
According to the Atlantic, the coronavirus is not very good at surviving on porous surfaces (like clothes) and is especially bad at surviving in extremely hot and dry conditions (like the inside of your dryer). The wash/dry cycle of your washing machine is enough to sanitize your clothes, so don’t worry too much about the virus on clothing, unless you’re taking care of someone who is sick. If that’s the case, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using gloves when handling laundry from a patient—as well as washing it in the warmest possible water and letting it dry completely. In general, heat and dryness are your friends here. You might also consider just letting dirty laundry sit for a few days.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2020/04/finding-happiness-during-a-pandemic/609778/
DIY hand sanitizer
March, 2020
With coronavirus spreading across the globe, it’s becoming difficult to find commercial hand sanitizer. No worries. Here’s a recipe for sanitizer you can make at home. It’s easy.
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), at least 60% alcohol by volume
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
Mixing bowl and spoon
Funnel
Recycled and washed hand sanitizer bottle or liquid soap bottle
Directions:
Simply mix the alcohol and aloe vera together well and pour it into the bottle using the funnel. You can double, triple or quadruple the recipe as needed.
Use a dollop about the size of a quarter and rub it all over the front and back of your hands until they are dry.
Note: You shouldn't use fresh aloe vera, but should use a commercial gel because fresh won't remain stable long-term. And while some people might suggest the addition of essential oils like lavender or peppermint, these can irritate some people's skin.
Remember, hand sanitizer is no substitute for washing your hands. Only use sanitizer when the situation makes it impossible to immediately wash your hands.
Take care of your hands
April 22, 2020
We’re all washing our hands more frequently these days. Such frequent handwashing can leave your hands dry and cracked. It’s important to moisturize your hands if they’re dry, because virus molecules can hide in micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better. Moisture often, several times a day.
Also, keep your fingernails clipped so the virus does not easily hide there. Remember, when washing your hands, to get the soapy water underneath your fingernails.
DIY disinfectant
March, 2020
Create a disinfectant using one-third cup bleach per gallon of water, or four teaspoons bleach per quart of water. Wait at least 30 seconds to several minutes for the solution to effectively kill germs and viruses. Or, wait for the surface to dry. On countertops, clean with soap and water before applying disinfectant. Never mix bleach and ammonia together, as it creates a dangerous and potentially deadly chlorine gas.
To make disinfectant wipes, mix a capful of Clorox bleach in five cups of water. Use a washcloth to wipe down surfaces.
Make sure your bleach has not expired before using. After opening bleach has a shelf of six months before it starts to degrade. Even in its original bottle, bleach becomes 20 percent less effective as each year goes by. Bleach mixed with water at a 1:9 ratio (i.e. 10 percent bleach) is potent for about a day (it's more unstable in its diluted form).
Stock up on zinc lozenges
April 11, 2020
James Robb, one of the early researchers into coronaviruses, said these viruses are deactivated by zinc. It’s a good idea to stock up on zinc lozenges now. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx.
What to do if you get sick
April 8, 2020
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo is recovering from a nasty bout of COVID-19. He received excellent advice from a doctor. Watch this: https://www.newsweek.com/chris-cuomo-cnn-covid-19-battle-1496488
Take care with garbage bins
April 8, 2020
