We've already had enough toxic exposures in life, and along comes this COVID-19 to add its miseries to the mess. Bummer, but that's it and we'll just have to deal with it. You've all faced worse challenges and you might be old...but you're old and you're ornery!
We need to take even more seriously than others the precautions recommended by our health officials. I'm going to stress the special steps I believe we must follow. If you have instructions from your own physician, of course obey them faithfully.
Simple stuff first.
• Wash your hands several times an hour and especially when you've touched others, handled money, used the bathroom and coughed or sneezed. Wash again before you eat. It you need to scratch or touch your face, use a tissue. Wash before you go to bed because you'll touch your face while sleeping. The virus can enter via the eyes, nose and mouth.
Coronavirus infects cells below the voice box, in the airways and deep in the lungs, unlike flu viruses which start with your nose and throat. Other than via tiny particles inhaled in air, coronavirus reaches those cells via fluid in the nose or throat that sneaks past your voice box (this is called aspiration) and slides down your windpipe, or trachea. Bingo – COVID-19.
• Eat well and hydrate to stay healthy and to be strong should you become ill.
• Avoid contact with others in every way possible. The virus is shed from one's respiratory track and travels for several feet just in the water vapor of
normal breathing, and 30 feet or so in a sneeze.
• Stock up on a couple weeks' worth of supplies. That's not because society will collapse and stores overcome by insane looters....No, it is simply so you can stay home should you or your family become ill, not spread the virus to others, and have your needs for food and medicine comfortably met. Add some books and Netflix and all the better. Weather permitting, get outside and enjoy the sun on your lawn or deck. Perhaps you'll enjoy home delivery of meals, but just ask the delivery person to leave the food outside the door. Tip generously.
• Ask your physician for a month's worth of medication. In addition, consider the discomforts COVID-19 brings and also stock up on "comfort items" to make one more comfortable.
• If you're ill, don't see your doctor or go to the hospital without phoning first. Above all, we have to keep our medical folks and first responders healthy!
• If you're ill or in self-quarantine, tape a sign to your front door to that effect.
• Check on your friends and family, offering what help you can if needed.
• If you give
home care for a family member who is ill or might be ill, take precautions immediately: a separate bedroom, a separate bathroom, separate meals, minimal contact if possible. The sick person should wear an N95 mask if available and everyone washes hands like crazy. Try to stay six feet apart, remembering that the virus travels even in normal breathing.
• If I were to care for a COVID-19 patient, I'd want to wear an N95 mask, goggles and gloves. Check online for the proper manner to remove after patient care.
• Clean. Clean. Clean more. COVID-19 virus can stay vaporized in the air where a sick person has breathed for about three hours. On surfaces that touching, breath or coughs settle on, it can stay active for three days and longer. Do some more cleaning. We're lucky compared to Agent Orange...no amount of cleaning could rid a C-123 of dioxin contamination, but everyday strong cleaners can tackle COVID-19 just fine. Paper towels will run out but microfiber cloths can be used, washed in hot water and used again.
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Hot water and soap suds do a great job on the virus; save your spray cleaners for where you can't use a cloth. The coronavirus breaks down quite nicely with plain ordinary laundry, dishwasher and hand soap.
• Ventilate the home with an air conditioner, or have a window open.
Some extra ideas:
• The COVID-19 virus affects the respiratory track so there'll be coughing and difficulty breathing at times. Have many boxes of tissues at home and discard after each cough. It is not scientific and cures nothing, but I've found Vicks VapoRub and other ointments and cough tablets with eucalyptus to give some breathing comfort and help keep the nose clear.
• Keep hydrated. Consider electrolyte replacement; some folks benefit from
Pedialyte or similar liquids.
• Adults (not small children) can consider fever-fighting meds like aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Don't share eating utensils. Wash linens and clothing carefully, and wash your hands after.
• If caring for a family member, designate just one person to provide that care rather than everyone try to help.
• COVID-19 is weird. Older folks have more trouble with it than younger folks. Also, exposed younger folks seem to transmit the illness much more readily than do old folks. Maybe the next few weeks are not the best time to have the grandkids over to visit.
God bless us all...keep safe.
Wes Carter, Major, USAF Retired
Medical Service Corps
