With increasing awareness of the coronavirus, a lot of people are wondering what we can do to avoid getting sick.
But first, it’s important to understand a little about the virus—and what makes it so contagious. The coronavirus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. All the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average. Everything that’s associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious.
The virus lives on surfaces, which means you won’t be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon.
The coronavirus only has cell receptors for lung cells (meaning it only infects your lungs). The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. (Some people believe airborne spread is possible. The virologist I spoke with doesn’t think airborne spread is possible.)
Based on my research, and after talking to this virologist who has studied the coronavirus, here’s how I’m preparing for the coronavirus:
1. Have three months of prescription medication available. Many drugs are made with ingredients imported from China, which may lead to drug shortages. If you rely on a prescription medication, be sure you have enough if a shortage does occur.
2. Stock up on non-perishable items. When more cases are diagnosed in the US, there may be some “panic” buying of food. Having what you need on hand will prevent unnecessary stress on your end.
3. Avoid touching your face. This is hard to do but very effective as touching your face is one way the virus spreads. And no handshaking, as the virologist says. Instead, use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.
4. Use hand sanitizer with greater than 60 percent alcohol. Apply it immediately after touching anything with your hands, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, etc. The virologist I spoke with recommends keeping a bottle of sanitizer at each of your home’s entrances and one in your car too—and using it after any activity that involves other people or after touching potentially contaminated objects (when you can’t immediately wash your hands).
5. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. When you don’t have access to hand sanitizer, thoroughly wash your hands. You must do this for a long enough to kill the virus. Sing the Happy Birthday song twice (about 10 to 20 seconds) and that should be long enough.
6. If you feel unwell, call your doctor. Do not go to the emergency room unless you feel very unwell. Most people can recover at home.
7. Wear a mask if you’re coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a mask, use a disposable tissue and then throw it out immediately. And if you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow. Then your clothes must be cleaned. Otherwise, the clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!
8. Press elevator buttons with a glove, or use a pencil or pen, or even a toothpick, to press the buttons. My virologist contact also recommends lifting the gas pump dispenser with a paper towel or using a disposable glove.
Open doors with your closed fist or hip. Don’t grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. This is especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.
The goal is to avoid pressing buttons or holding communal items with your hands. And use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.
9. Consider anything you touch to be contaminated. Wipe all surfaces with cleaning wipes or bleach once a day. If you touch anything, such as the screen at the ATM, a payment screen in a taxi, door handles, etc., clean your hands. Visualize all surfaces “covered in dirt” or a gross substance, and it will help you follow this recommendation.
10. Have some cash on hand in the event your bank is not open for several days.
11. Eat garlic. Garlic is a potent anti-viral. Either eat a lot, or take it in the form of a supplement called Allimax. If you eat garlic, be sure to cut it or crush it and leave out for 15 minutes before eating it. Doing so allows the potent anti-viral allicin to become most effective.
12. Avoid sugar and processed food. Sugar suppresses the immune system. Whole foods, such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, healthy fats, and proteins, are best.
13. Boost your immune system. This is something very proactive that you can do, starting today.
• Get enough sleep. When you don’t get enough shut-eye, the body produces less infection-fighting antibodies and cells. That’s why people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus than those who get plenty of sleep.
• Stay well hydrated. Viruses do better when tissues in the nose and mouth are dry, so drink enough fluids: water, juice, seltzer, tea, and coffee (all can help keep you hydrated).
• Get enough key immune-boosting supplements. This is a recommended protocol to boost your immune system, but check with your doctor for proper dosing. The most important nutrients to take are vitamins C and D, as well as zinc.
- Vitamin C: 2,000mg per day. Vitamin C is critical for immune functioning. Not getting enough results in a higher susceptibility to infections.
- Zinc: 50 to 100mg per day with food. This nutrient helps the body fight off invading viruses and bacteria.
- Vitamin A: 5,000 to 10,000 IU with food. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that enhances immune function and helps the lungs work properly.
- Vitamin D: 2,000 to 10,000 units per day. A deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to an increased susceptibility to infection.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC): 1,200 to 1,800mg per day (don’t take with food). NAC is an amino acid that helps with chronic respiratory infections.
- Liposomal glutathione: 1 pill 2x per day. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that may reduce respiratory disease symptoms.
- Glucosamine: 3,000mg per day. Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage, the tissue that cushions joints. It has been found to reduce inflammation in the body.
- Oscillococcinum: 1x per week. This homeopathic remedy may help to temporarily reduce flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, fever, chills, headache, and fatigue.
- Probiotic: 1 to 2 pills per day. Taking a probiotic every day is key to keeping your microbiome, or gut, healthy. Seventy percent of your immune cells are found in your gut, therefore, a healthy gut results in a strong immune system.
- Allimax (garlic): 1 to 2 capsules per day. As I mentioned earlier, garlic is a potent immune booster.
What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US:
• Latex or nitrile disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas. (Be sure to get the appropriate sizes for your family.)
• Disposable surgical masks. Use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth. (We touch our nose/mouth 90 times a day without knowing it!) This is the only way this coronavirus can infect you as it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth. It is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60 percent alcohol (what’s necessary to be effective against the coronavirus).
• Zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) 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. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.
Importantly, stay informed. We are a community and together we will get through this situation. Do not be alarmed when the number of cases rises sharply in the US. This is expected. Follow the above guidelines to reduce chances of infection. Try to visualize that surfaces are covered in dust; that way it becomes easier to clean every surface you touch.
Also, don’t forget to say something nice to healthcare workers who work in hospitals and nursing homes. They may be under a lot of pressure in the next few weeks.