Wow. Suddenly we find ourselves in a whole new world with the dramatic and rapid spread of the coronavirus a/k/a COVID-19.
First, let me say that the spread of the disease has already reached pandemic levels, whatever public health officials are saying. In a world where air travel is pervasive, where we now have community-generated infections and where people can carry the virus and still be symptom-free for days, maybe even weeks, there is no stopping it.
Second, the coronavirus is pretty much like a regular flu for most of us. For the very young, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and compromised lungs, that could be a much more serious medical problem. We know the coronavirus has already resulted in some deaths, mostly in people with the risks I mentioned above.
No, I’m not being alarmist. I’m just being realistic. My hope is that this column will give you some practical tools to protect yourself and your family.
The recommendations to wash your hands (A LOT) and avoid touching your face (that’s harder than you might think) are absolutely solid. They are probably the two most effective things you can do to prevent infections.
And, of course, it goes without saying: If you’re not feeling well or you know you have been exposed, STAY HOME! This virus seems to spread very easily. You don’t want to pass it on to someone with chronic health problems who might not survive an infection.
Here’s your checklist of other and natural things you can do to protect yourself:
Wear a scarf: Use it to protect your hands when you have to open doors or hold onto stair rails or even flush toilets in public places. Wash that scarf often because the virus can remain on clothing. I‘ve done this for years. It’s a fashion statement for all gender preferences. There’s no evidence that the virus survives on fabric and other soft surfaces, but be sure to wash your scarf every couple of days anyway.
Colloidal silver nasal spray: Several doctors I know highly recommend this nasal spray to neutralize a wide range of viral infections, especially if you must be around large numbers of people or if you are flying.
Disinfect hard surfaces: The virus can survive on hard surfaces for as long as 9 days, especially at cold temperatures. If you’re in a plane, an office with shared spaces or someone in your home is ill, wiping down hard surfaces with a simple solution of .5% hydrogen peroxide and water will successfully eliminate viruses in 1 minute. (So you don’t have to do the math, that would be a little more than a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in a two-ounce bottle.)
Salt scrubs: The chloride in salt is a known anti-microbial. I use a salt scrub with essential oils for hand-washing at home.
If you get the disease or even anything that feels like a cold these days, first SEE YOUR DOCTOR. This is important. The coronavirus is a serious and potentially deadly disease. Second, even if you don’t feel too bad, STAY HOME!
If you get sick, the following won’t “cure” the virus, but it will ease symptoms:
Gargle cooled sage tea to soothe your throat.
Suck on a dark chocolate: It eases cough and tastes good.
Essential oils in diffusers can ease breathing, especially tea tree and eucalyptus.
Consider taking oregano oil in capsules. It is a proven anti-microbial, which means it has been study-proven to be effective against viral bacterial and fungal infections.
Ditto for olive leaf extract. (See scientific validations at the end of this article.)
Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water.
One final caveat: Do not take antibiotics if you get sick. Coronavirus (and all colds and flu) are viral infections. Antibiotics are anti=bacterial. They are completely ineffective against viruses. If you take them when you don’t need them, you will likely build resistance, which can make them ineffective when you really need them.
This is not a time to panic. But it is a time to be wise and to be considerate of others.
Wow. Suddenly we find ourselves in a whole new world with the dramatic and rapid spread of the coronavirus a/k/a COVID-19.
