DUers: join the fight against coronavirus
I propose we create a thread ( let's try this one, unless it gets derailed quickly by too much meta) wherein we propose and discuss concrete measures that we can take daily in our lives, to mitigate the reach and effect of our new sworn enemy, the coronavirus ( formally known as SARS-CoV-2).
Beyond just personal protection, I'm talking about active (practical) measures that each of us can take to destroy as many virus particles as possible.
Obviously, the first line of defense is your own body. Since the virus needs our body in order to replicate and spread, deny it that by preventing infection of your body. Failing that, deny it the ability to transmit itself beyond your body. Those are two steps that YOU (yes, I'm looking right at YOU) very likely have some level of control over.
The opposite of what I'm proposing is thinking that "oh well, it's inevitable, I'll just take my chances".
Next level is those immediately around you, usually family. Same principle.
Keep widening the circle, and let's come up with steps we can take to do our part.
I'd like to start with the concept of us, those of us that still interact with the environment outside our house, but it still applies inside your house, and that is: destroying the virus.
Not just running away from it or hiding from it, because those are viable strategies to prevent #1 above (denying it use if your body as host), but DESTROYING it where it may lurk waiting to hitch a ride onto another host.
Take every opportunity you have to destroy the virus where it most likely lingers.
The big question is how to practically do this. Of course, it may prove meaningless due to the scope, but why not try?
The goal is to buy time. Time for a vaccine to be developed.
Here's an example of the sort of measures I'm thinking about: instead of just avoiding touching that doorknob that you think may be covered in virus, how about spraying it with 70% alcohol, or 3% hydrogen peroxide, or wiping it off with an alcohol wipe (not just a wet wipe, but something that will destroy the virus).
Get my drift? What ideas do you have for guerilla warfare in your neighborhood against SARS-CoV-2?
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thank you. 
We need to be balanced in terms of resource management though. I'm concerned about supply chain over the next year.
please me if everyone would social distance if/when they see me coming
Last edited Thu Mar 12, 2020, 09:12 AM - Edit history (1)
with a good balanced diet and herbs and vitamins if needed and desired, and stay hydrated.
I think it's up to each individual to study this subject and make decisions based on your individual dietary environment, special health needs and the medications you take (some rob us of nutrients).
Regarding supplements, perhaps at a minimum if your situation allows (*) would be a quality multivitamin, a Vitamin C booster (or lots of citrus fruit) and a Vitamin D supplement. Your doctor or pharmacist should be willing to help make these decisions.
I also take a lot of herbal products for a number of health issues and for general health maintenance but won't mention any of those here because it can be quite controversial. In addition, those are best chosen by each individual based on his/her research.
There's tons of info on the web, but be sure to use those based at a respected university or hospital, or health research organization that's not trying to sell you something.
There's also thousands of good books available on preventative nutrition - all at your local library or on-line outlets like B&N or Amazon.
(cross-posted to Health)
KY...........
(*) For example, I have a highly sensitive system to some nutritional supplements, many prescription drugs and some OTC medications. I wanted a controlled amount of Vitamin B12 to help my depression, but standard OTC capsules gave me way too much and made me hyper and sleepless. I found that a kid's chewable multivitamin contained the standard RDA for B!2, and each day I break one in half to get just enough.
Last edited Thu Mar 12, 2020, 09:15 AM - Edit history (1)
Airway moisturizing and cleansing:1. Because household humidity is typically lower than desirable in the winter, I like to use the bottles of inexpensive nasal saline spray to moisten my sinuses and nasal cavities. This assists our system to expel dust, germs and viruses by thinning the mucus. Those things saved my butt many times during my days of busy air travel where the air is extremely dry.
2. Periodic use of a netti pot or rubber syringe to irrigate our sinuses and nasal cavities can rid our mucus system of infectious germs and irritants. I use a baby ear syringe and a homemade saline solution recommended by my ENT specialist.
3. Deep breathing during a hot shower can help us clear thickened mucus from our bronchial system and lungs. We also use just a pot of steamy water on the stove, or a Vicks brand personal vaporizer ($30 at drugstores) that works really well.
Note that these are the methods I've used for many years and may or may not work for you. If in doubt, consult an ENT doctor.
(cross-posted to Health)
KY.........
Dermatologists tell us our skin has a protective oily & acidic layer that protects our skin from irritation and infections. When we use lots of soap, alcohols or other harsh chemical on our skin, we can make things worst in the long run if we don't do proper follow-up care.
From Wikipedia on Sebaceous gland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_gland#Sebum
(snip)
Sebaceous glands are part of the body's integumentary system and serve to protect the body against microorganisms. Sebaceous glands secrete acids that form the acid mantle. This is a thin, slightly acidic film on the surface of the skin that acts as a barrier to microbes that might penetrate the skin. The pH of the skin is between 4.5 and 6.2, an acidity that helps to neutralize the alkaline nature of contaminants. Sebaceous lipids help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier and supply vitamin E to the skin.
This is a good primer on dry skin from Wikipedia as a starter:
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeroderma
Excerpt:
Xeroderma
Xeroderma, xerosis or xerosis cutis, or simply dry skin, is a skin condition characterized by excessively dry skin. The medical term xeroderma is derived from the Greek words meaning dry skin.
In most cases, dry skin can safely be treated with emollients or moisturizers. Xeroderma occurs most commonly on the scalp, lower legs, arms, hands, the knuckles, the sides of the abdomen, and thighs. Symptoms most associated with xeroderma are scaling (the visible peeling of the outer skin layer), itching, and skin cracking.
Causes
Xeroderma is a very common condition. It happens more often in the winter when the cold air outside and the hot air inside creates a low relative humidity. This causes the skin to lose moisture and it may crack and peel. Bathing or hand washing too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, can contribute to xeroderma. Xeroderma can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, systemic illness, severe sunburn, or some medication. Xeroderma can be caused by choline inhibitors. Detergents such as washing powder and dishwashing liquid can cause xeroderma.
Prevention
Today, many creams and lotions, commonly based on vegetable oils/butters, petroleum oils/jellies, and even lanolin are widely available. As a preventive measure, such products may be rubbed onto the affected area as needed (often every other day) to prevent dry skin. The skin is then patted dry to prevent removal of natural lipids from the skin.
Treatment
Repeated application (typically over a few days) of emollients or skin lotions/creams to the affected area will likely result in quick alleviation of xeroderma. In particular, application of highly occlusive barriers to moisture, such as petrolatum, vegetable oils/butters, and mineral oil have been shown to provide excellent results. Many individuals find specific commercial skin creams and lotions (often comprising oils, butters, and or waxes emulsified in water) quite effective (although individual preferences and results vary among the wide array of commercially available creams). Lanolin, a natural mixture of lipids derived from sheep's wool, helps replace natural lipids in human skin and has been used since ancient times (and in modern medicine) as among the most powerful treatments for xeroderma. However, lanolin is a common allergen. Also, pure lanolin is a thick waxy substance which, for many individuals, proves difficult and inconvenient for general use on dry skin (especially over large areas of the body). As a result, many formulated lanolin products, having a softer consistency than pure lanolin, are available.
(cross-posting to Health)
Note that airway and dietary moisture (water or saline) and skin moisture (sebum, acids and lipids) are two totally different animals.
KY............
