Do not panic from the Coronavirus updates. Take action! You may not be able to control how quickly the virus is spreading, but you can take measures to decrease your chances of catching the disease. As a starter, here are some helpful tips to put in place to cover the basics and take precautionary measures:
Cover the Basics
- Know the symptoms: According to the CDC, cough, fever, and shortness of breath are notable symptoms of COVID-19. Like most other diseases, symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease may mimic those of other diseases. Please seek medical attention when unsure.
- With similar modes of transmission like the cold or flu, take all the precautions you would to prevent a common cold or flu:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before you eat, after you use the bathroom, blow your nose, sneeze, or cough.
- When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Make sure to use soap and water when available, or when your hands are visibly dirty.
- When you cough, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose, and throw away the tissue after use.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Stay home when you are sick, to prevent spreading germs to others.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. Use regular household cleaning products.
- The CDC recommends the use of facemasks by people who show symptoms of the COVID-19 and their caregivers.
- Get to know more about the virus that causes the Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, from the CDC and follow Coronavirus updates as research continues.
- Keep up with updates and findings, because these would evolve over time. Do the best you can to stay safe.
Strengthen Your Immune Health
It is also very important to strengthen your immune health and arm your body, in case you get exposed to the virus. Your immune system is the part of your body that would help you to “fight” when you encounter any germ, including the COVID-19. Strengthening your immune health is especially important when faced with the unknown, as may be the situation with the Coronavirus. Research is still ongoing, and we certainly do not know all about this virus.
Did you know that not everyone who encounters a germ develops its associated disease? Think about this: do you always get the flu or cough when you are exposed to someone with a flu or cough? Could it be that some people have encountered the Coronavirus but not experienced the disease? Very possible. Furthermore, some people may experience a disease but “fight” it well and recover quicker than others would. The same principle may apply to the Coronavirus. Generally, the bodies of those who recover quicker are in better shape to fight or respond to treatment faster. Would you fall within this group? You can aim for this, and you should.
A major trend I continue to see in following the Coronavirus updates is that many related deaths have been people with underlying conditions. There have also been a few related deaths among healthy individuals, but the number of deaths of people with underlying conditions is significantly higher. One common observation among people with underlying conditions is the fact that they tend to have relatively weaker immune health, when compared to averagely healthy individuals.
Practical Tips
When you have the basic precautions in place and don’t know what else to do, I highly encourage you to focus on doing what you can to strengthen your immune health. You can use your everyday choices of food and activity to strengthen your immune health. Here are some practical tips:
- Eat a balanced healthy meal, enriched with veggies and fruits. This will ensure you have good amounts of vitamin C and other antioxidants to support and strengthen your immune health.
- Purposefully consume antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory-rich foods. There are many options. For example, warm green tea, and fresh lemon juice are helpful and easy to obtain. Just choose what is most suitable for you.
- Consume sufficient proteins. Proteins help in the formation of antibodies that will help your body to fight “germs”.
- Get some exercise. This will help to provide good oxygenation to support the health of your tissues. Your exercise does not have to be overwhelming, especially if you have physical limitations. Start with the little you can. Even occasional walks within your house can be helpful as you work your way up.
- Rest sufficiently! For adults, try to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep on most days. Your immune health would be in better shape to fight infections when you get adequate sleep.
- Don’t worry, don’t panic. Worry and panic will decrease the strength of your immune health. Instead, take concrete actions to support and strengthen your immune health.
Share these practical tips with your family and loved ones. The elderly and children particularly need your support. You can provide prompts with choices and activities that would help them to boost their immune health.
Challenge yourself to learn more and explore immune-strengthening tactics! And take care of yourself the best way you can. Be safe. Do your best to cover the basics, and then move on to strengthening your immune health. You can do this!
Wishing you great health and happiness,
—
Yvonne Longmatey
