Protection And Prevention In A Pandemic

Protection And Prevention In A Pandemic

Note on 3/26/2020: This page was written before we actually had a pandemic, but it is still pertinent. At this point it is best to stay home as much as possible. Hopefully, you followed my advice below, early on, and prepared before the toilet paper disappeared and before lockdown in some of the bigger cities.  We really don't know what to expect from this virus, but the fact that we have no immunity and seeing what it has done in other countries, makes us all hesitant to take chances.  Therefore, until we start to see numbers decreasing it is best to continue distancing yourself from others and keeping yourself healthy as described on the original COVID-19 article page that I update as needed. The death numbers scare people, but please realize that we don't know the true percent of death numbers since we don't test everyone with the disease, only the sicker ones who are more likely to die. So far, the seasonal flu has killed many more people in the U.S. than has COVID-19. It is the fact that we do not know what the future will bring us that makes people worry. So, stay at home, distance yourself, use healthy practices as far as washing hands and not touching your face when you have to be out and about or after receiving items at your door. Support your immune system as described in original COVID-19 article page and don't allow fear to take over. Fear itself will lower your immune resistance. Just know you are taking precautions and being proactive and that goes a long way to protect you. Be in the moment and enjoy what you can. Focus on the simple things of life and be grateful.

There is concern that the COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) is becoming a worldwide pandemic. However, people in the United States are not being told how to prepare in case the new Corona Virus sweeps through the USA. This is because they don't want people to panic unnecessarily. The public is not being told how to get ready for a possible pandemic. Our government is preparing for it, but they are not letting citizens know what they should do. You will be at an advantage if you prepare for the possible pandemic.

Many of the things to consider are simply increasing the usual supplies you keep in your home, so you don't need to go out  in public. These items are often good to have on hand in case of a community disaster caused by weather, fires or other disasters anyway.

What People Should Be Told

If you read the data I wrote on the new CoronaVirus you will know that although it can kill anyone at any age, those who are more susceptible are the very young and the old. Please read the article for more details. Although, it appears to have been killing only 2-3% of the population, no one wants to be in that 2-3% who end up dead. keep in mind that 4 out of 5 people experience mild or no symptoms.

If a pandemic of any infectious disease hits your community, social distancing is an important strategy to reduce infection spread. Schools are closed, many businesses and community centers close. People do not go to public gatherings. You might be required to stay in your home for a significant time period. You will need to be able to be self-reliant.

Pandemics can last for years, but it would be  more likely to be a few months. Those who protect themselves from exposure will be the least likely to become sick. This means you need to shore up your resources in your home, so you do not need to go out in public. Keeping your distance from others in a pandemic is your number one way of protecting yourself. If you do go out, be sure to follow protocols normally used to protect yourself from infectious disease.

• Don't go to any events or hold events at your home with large amounts of people.
• Don't make travel plans.
• Plan to spend a lot of time at home and without visitors.
• Stockpile nonperishable food, prescription medicines and supplements, herbs or other necessities that you may not want to go out and get if there is a pandemic.
• Pay attention to the items you use on a daily basis and make sure you have enough of them for the next few months in case you can't get those items easily or prefer not to go out in public.
• Consider special care of sick family members and have supplies on hand for them.
• In businesses, cross-training work personnel so one person's absence won't be as big a burdeon - if the business stays open. Some businesses will need to as the public depends on them.

Most Recent Suggestions For Prevention From The World Health Organization

Based on the available evidence, the COVID-19 virus is transmitted between people through close contact and droplets, not by airborne transmission. The people most at risk of infection are those who are in close contact with a COVID-19 patient or who care for COVID-19 patients.

Preventive and mitigation measures are key in both healthcare and community settings. The most effective preventive measures in the community include:

• performing hand hygiene frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty or with soap and water if hands are dirty
• avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• practicing respiratory hygiene by coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow or tissue and then immediately disposing of the tissue
• wearing a medical mask if you have respiratory symptoms and performing hand hygiene after disposing of the mask
• maintaining social distance (a minimum of 2 m/6 feet) from individuals with respiratory symptoms.

Although the claim is that a mask is not protective, this is due to the fact that  someone can still sneeze in your face and your eyes are not protected, therefore you can still get the virus. You can also touch your eyes after contaminating your hands. Therefore you will see some people wearing goggles. Note that the WHO gives advice "based on the available evidence".  This means they are giving you advice with the limited data they have. It may change later. Ultimatlely, if there is an outbreak going on and you don't want to get it, stay home and don't forget to take my advise on supporting your immune system.

For details on the coronavirus go to the main coronavirus page.