Don’t Panic

It is important to stay calm and focused on reality. While this situation and the word pandemic are very scary, panic only minimizes our ability to think rationally. One of the greatest ways to curtail panic is with knowledge and awareness. I personally sit through the Task Force daily updates, that often take more than 90 minutes. I want to be informed and not allow any news network to decide what sound bites I do hear.

Prepare

First, let’s talk about what you need in order to prepare.

• The main thing you might face is prolonged periods of quarantine. This has happened in China and Italy both, and is happening in parts of the US already. In the case of quarantine, you will have to stay inside your home. I live in a state that is under a “stay at home” order, only essential businesses remain open.
• According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) there are some key things you can do to prepare (just in case): 
• “Create an emergency contact list.” This should include emergency contacts for neighbors, friends, family, your health care team, employers, schools and your local health department. 
• “Learn about your employer’s emergency operations plan.” Find out exactly what your plan covers as to sick leave, work from home possibilities and how your employer plans to deal with this outbreak. 
• Most important, stay informed, look to credible sources for information about COVID-19 and reject gossip and hype, which only propagate panic and anxiety.

Precautions

Let’s talk about what you can do to prevent getting the virus in the first place.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), clean your hands often for at least 20 seconds each wash. Definitely wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. Place hand soap in the kitchen and all the bathroom sinks in your house.

If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Soap and water are better than hand sanitizer if they are available, so please don’t stock pile hand sanitizer. There are many videos on YouTube showing you how to make your own hand sanitizer, but some ingredients are already in short supply.

Clean your home well and regularly.

The CDC precautions, whenever possible avoid touching surfaces in public areas that are touched by many, such as doorknobs, handrails, and elevator buttons. The virus seems to live the longest on non-porous surfaces, such as plastic and metal, so you want to limit your contact as much as possible. Handshakes need to be postponed for now. Personally, I would not even elbow bump, no contact is the best choice. Wash your hands right after any contact.

Stay away from anyone you know who has a cold or flu symptoms. The World Health Organization recommends at least a 3-foot distance away from someone who is coughing or sneezing. Social distancing guidelines recommends keeping at least 6 feet apart for maximum safety.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), you should follow safe respiratory hygiene. When sneezing or coughing, make sure to cover nose and mouth with either a bent elbow or tissue. Throw away all tissues right after use. This is because droplets spread virus by way of spores.

Both the WHO and the CDC advise that if you are sick, stay home. Even when you don’t know if it is Corona or just a cold, it is better to stay home until you feel well again. And in many cases of Coronavirus there are no symptoms, so stay home even if you are not sick.

Dr. William Schaffner, an internist and infectious disease specialist from Vanderbilt University told CNN on March 9, that the elderly and those with existing compromised health are best served by staying away from crowds, so for now postpone going to concerts, philharmonic and other places where large crowds gather in small spaces. The president has advised all older Americans to stay home as much as possible.

Respiratory infection spreads faster in poor ventilated areas and closed in settings. So if you need to be with others, stay outdoors and keep a safe social distance.

Who Is At Highest Risk?

Older adults (Over 60) and those who have existing medical conditions including, lung disease, heart disease and diabetes will suffer the most and have the highest mortality rate if infected, according to the CDC.

The director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Dr. Nancy Messonnier says, the highest risk of COVID-19 is for those over age 80 who have other medical conditions.

If you or someone you know fits into a high risk category, stock up on groceries and any required medications, leave space between you and others, avoid crowds and travel, clean your hands and your house often, and stay home as much as possible.

Symptoms

Normal Symptoms:

The CDC lists the following symptoms to look for, which are much like a cold:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you have the normal symptoms, call your health care provider for an evaluation. Do not go to a doctor or hospital without calling first, there are steps you may need to take if you have Coronavirus.

Emergency warning signs:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish face or lips

If you experience the emergency warning signs, seek medical assistance immediately. Call 911 and make sure to let them know that you think it is COVID-19 and tell them why.

(Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html)

Obviously, if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 you should contact your doctor or seek emergency services immediately to get tested and do not come into contact with others to prevent spread.

More Information and Resources

• General hygiene and cleanliness along with correspondence with your health care provider will go a long way.
• Wash your hands for twenty seconds often, especially after touching things many others have touched.
• Clean your house regularly, especially high use surfaces.
• When at home change your clothes daily.

For more information on COVID-19, consult the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The post Protecting Yourself From The Corona Virus Pandemic appeared first on Healthy Mature Aging.

While it is true that many people have died from this virus, many more have recovered. My intention is to offer common sense ways to protect yourself and your family.

Why is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) considered a Pandemic?

It is considered a pandemic because it has spread worldwide. Officially it has not been declared a pandemic – but that time is very near. Unlike epidemics which are contained in one specific location, a pandemic crosses borders without a care in the world and infects anyone who may cross its path. You want to stay alert and take precautions to stay safe.

At the moment, there is no cure for the coronavirus. Creating a vaccine will take time and a lot of money… and by the time one is found, it will be too late for thousands of lives. There are several countries actively working to discover a vaccine, it is a top priority.

How Can You Really Stay Safe?

The best way to avoid the problem will be to act proactively and take a few extra measures. We’ve not reached a widespread pandemic that’s has created a panic yet. While there are some reports of empty shelves, there are no reports of food or water hoarding.

Surgical masks are most effective if worn by the sick rather than the healthy. The N95 masks for health care professionals are truly intended for those individuals and have to be properly fit to be effective. In most Asian countries masks are sold out. Here in the US pharmacies are reporting that there may be short term shortages of hand sanitizers and household cleansers.

Since we still don’t know how the virus is spread, we can only take common sense measures to keep ourselves safe. But, right now nothing can promise to keep you 100 percent safe.

“So, What Do I Do Now???”

Whatever the case may be, there are a few precautionary measures you can take to mitigate your risks.
The basic principles of staying safe apply regardless of the pandemic. It could be Ebola, SARS, Zika or the coronavirus – the tips below will still apply.

1. Limit exposure to crowds

This is the first and most important step of the lot. The less contact you have with other human beings, the lower your risks will be. This is common sense. Avoid crowded places as much as you can. If you work in an office, you may request to work from home temporarily. Your boss just might allow it.
Less people. Less contact. Less risk… Make that your mantra.

I made a point of doing my grocery shopping during off peak hours to limit the number of people I would be exposed to. Just think and plan ahead and you will be able to reduce at least some of your exposure.

2. Do NOT touch your face, nose or eyes

This is one of the BIGGEST mistakes that people inadvertently make. In a typical day, you’ll come into contact with countless surfaces when you’re out in public. Public transport handles and seats, restaurant tables, chairs, grocery cart handles, etc. are all common surfaces that you are likely to come into contact with. When you touch these surfaces, any bacteria (including  viruses) there may get transferred onto your hands.

Do NOT touch your face. This is the easiest way to infect yourself. Learn to be more aware at all times. I am very bad about this – it turns out I touch my face all the time – so I’m working on creating new habits.

3. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly

Most health professionals agree that regular handwashing is far more effective than wearing masks.  Some say it’s even even better than using commercially-sold hand sanitizers. The fact that you’re more likely to get infected from surfaces covered with droplets emitted by someone who is infected (because you touched the surfaces and then your face), the best safety measure is to wash your hands regularly.

Everything from the kitchen utensils you use to your cell phone, keys, steering wheel in your car, etc. comes in contact with your hands. So, it’s best to keep them as clean as possible. If you have no access to water, use hand sanitizers as a back up. If you are in an area where hand sanitizer is hard to find, there are many videos on YouTube showing you how to make your own.

4. Limit the bacteria you track into your home.

Another area people often overlook is the fact that they can invite bacteria into their home without even realizing it. most commonly on the soles of their shoes. The surest way to limit the bacteria brought into your home is to make sure not to wear your shoes indoors. Take your shoes off at the door and leave them outside. If you can easily take your shoes off, you can step onto a towel soaked in a bleach solution before stepping inside, this will help to kill most bacteria.

If you typically come home and plop down on the couch to watch TV, you will want to make sure to change your clothes before you sit down. The clothes that you wore all day have come into contact with public surfaces too. Remove your clothes and put them in the laundry (which you’ll wash with detergent and disinfectant later). You may even want to shower when you get home if you will feel more comfortable. At this time they don’t know if the virus can live on your clothes, so you may just want to err on the side of caution.

I work with the public and it has been a long standing habit to change my clothes when I come home at night. My husband doesn’t work directly with the public, but he gets dirty at work, so he is also already in the habit of shedding those clothes when he comes home too.

And when you walk your pets outside, remember to wash their paws when you get home. They are touching the same surfaces as your shoes and feet.

5. Strengthen your immune system

If you do get infected, your immune system may be your last hope. If it’s strong, your chances of survival will be much higher. We don’t really know why some people survive the virus and some don’t, but having a strong immune system is only beneficial. Personally, I worry since I suffer from Asthma, that makes me more likely to have a more severe response to the virus, so I’m making sure I take my vitamins.

The best and most common supplements to help you boost your immune system are: Vitamin C, Fish oil, Garlic, Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin D. These will help to give your body a fighting chance to boot the virus out should it decide to take you on. I have asthma and had recently started drinking orange juice daily to help with my symptoms, it has helped and I believe it has also helped to have that extra vitamin C each day.

6. Seek medical help

Besides the coronavirus, there are many other influenza strains going around. Since the symptoms are mostly the same, only a qualified doctor will be able to diagnose your condition accurately. Do not try to self diagnose or self treat yourself out of fear. If you notice you have flu symptoms seek professional help. Swallowing two aspirin with a diet soda and calling it a day is NOT a smart choice. Remember, time is of the essence, especially if it is COVID-19.

Early detection will help to limit the spread of the virus and you’ll be less likely to infect those you come into contact with. If you’re not infected, but just down with the common cold, do take a few days off work and stay home to rest and recuperate. Your immune system will be compromised and you don’t want to be outside where you could get infected with something worse. You’ll also be less likely to pass on your contagious flu to others. Stay home until you’re well. Period.

7. Keep your home clean

There’s a saying that goes, ‘Nothing inspires cleanliness more than an unexpected guest.’ And while this is meant to be funny, in this case, we are trying to PREVENT unexpected ‘virus guests’ into our home.  Keep the house clean by vacuuming your house daily and mop your floors with a bleach or disinfecting solution. Wipe down counters and table tops after each use with a disinfectant, and don’t forget those door knobs. You may choose to use an air purifier to clean the air in your household too.

Since the stores have already announced that there may be shortages of cleaning supplies, there is an alternative. Alcohol does the trick. Vodka or gin are the best choices, both are effective for wiping surfaces too. The higher the proof, the better. Just don’t drink all of your supply.

8. Stay calm

Last but not least, stay calm. Don’t panic or rush to hoard items – it is not necessary. According to the CDC, you should have enough food and medical supplies to last about 2 weeks if needed. Make sure you have adequate supplies of non-perishable items, liked canned fruits and vegetables, since the fresh items will be the hardest to replace. You do not have to wildly grab everything you can get your hands on. Stay positive and know that several potential pandemics prior to the coronavirus have been effectively contained. This one will be probably be no different. Do not stress yourself out or get paranoid. When you’re stressed, your immune system is lower and you’re at a higher risk.

Follow the tips above and you’ll be much safer during this coronavirus ‘climate’.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin

The post Common Sense Tips to Stay Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Healthy Mature Aging.