All is Not Lost to Respiratory Viruses Like COVID-19 (Corona Virus)

As with all viruses they are diseases of opportunity.  In other words they infect when given the opportunity in a receptive host (body) that is less than healthy. This is proved by the fact that we are surrounded by germs and viruses everyday yet only occasionally if seldom get sick.  So, the person best equipped to take care of you is you. Keeping your body and immune system as healthy as possible. Your routine through the day can have a great impact on your body's resistance to viral infections.

Here are some tips from our friends at NCMIC to help you and your family feel safe and ready to face the world.

In General

Wash, wash, wash your hands. Did you know soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizer
(and apparently easier to find right now)? To really get rid of any germs, wash for at least 20 seconds – which just happens to be how long it takes to hum Row-Row-Row Your Boat three times.

Be sneeze- and cough-courteous. Coughing or sneezing into the inner crook of your arm catches the droplets that would otherwise end up in the air or on the surfaces around you. The COVID-19 virus is transmitted through droplets, not through breathing, so this is important.

Save the mask for Halloween. The benefit of a mask is that it controls the outbound expression of germs when someone coughs or sneezes. If you’re healthy, a mask won’t be very effective in preventing the spread of germs. If you’re sick and need to be out in the world, a mask can help protect those around you from the germs you send out when you cough or sneeze.

Don’t touch your face! The easiest way to get sick (with any kind of virus) is to introduce germs from your hands to mucus membranes – like your eyes, nose and mouth.

Netflix and chill. If you’re not feeling well (whether it’s coronavirus or an old-school cold) please stay home, cuddle with your dog and catch up on your favorite show.

Out in the World

Wipe it out. Many of us do this anyway, but grab one of those wet wipes at the grocery store entrance to clean the cart (buggy for you southerners) handle.

Declutter! A clean desk or counter makes it easier to run a cleaning cloth across.

Personal space. Keep at least 3 feet between you and someone who is sneezing or coughing.
 
Sharing = caring? Not right now! We’re usually all about sharing, but for now the kindest thing you can do is avoid sharing food, drinks, even lotion or sanitizers – and the germs that ride with them.

Breathe in, breathe out. Ventilation is a good thing. Weather and location permitting, crack a window.

Taking Care of Yourself

Be on your best behavior. Keep yourself in good shape by getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking lots of water and
eating nutritious foods. A stressed body is a weak body, so manage your stress through exercise, meditation or conversation with a trusted friend.

Self-care matters. Caring for yourself is the best thing you can do for your overall health.

Websites

For additional trusted resources about the coronavirus, we recommend these websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus