Sick Prevention
Sick prevention in COVID time or any time (RSV, Flu, etc.) – take normal or likely further steps to prevent germs from spreading. Just do your part to stay healthy and well. Below – pick and choose what’s more appropriate for you to do (to do all is pretty much over-kill for most people – unless you have reasons to fear). COVID variants are challenging us – we may be carriers or fall sick even if vaccinated.
Times have changed recently and even gone back to Spanish flu times. Your best protection is to prevent sickness – vaccines have eradicated polio and smallpox, for instance. But to keep from getting or spreading various illnesses like the flu or other infectious illnesses, you can do the preventive steps and have a great chance to stay well with a vaccine.
God Gives us the Tools for health issues.
When there is an outbreak, first make sure you wash your hands thoroughly as often as you touch something that is dirty or foreign to you. If you can’t wash, just don’t touch your mouth, nose, eyes – or your face. When you can, wash your hands and everything you touched. Use a hand sanitizer – take a small bottle with you and keep a pump bottle in the car to prevent sickness from germs you picked up.
Wear a mask in bad times of exposure (or when you are sick) – both to protect others and to protect yourself (N95 or KN95 are of the best against COVID, though as it mutates it is usually less severe). Masks are more socially acceptable now – we used to see Asians wear them commonly but now it’s ok worldwide. If people wear masks, less germs end up in the air and there is less exposure between people. This is an important tool in sick prevention.
Wash your mask (if you can) or throw out the disposable ones daily – the germs that stick to the outer part can drop off or get on your hands. Don’t flip it inside out – the outside has the germs you’ve picked up and the inside has your nose drips and mouth germs. Do not share masks (think of them like underwear)!
Take your temperature and do not go around people until the fever is gone for a day, when you are no longer susceptible. If you are coughing try to stay away from others. You can still transmit the virus to others while not showing a fever or other symptoms at first exposure while a carrier. Many people have no symptoms but are carriers – they won’t show a fever or symptoms. So, continue to be vigilant – wear masks and socially distance if you do feel bad.
If you are concerned about getting sick or are sick, take precautions:
Disinfectant wipes or isopropyl alcohol on a rag can be swiped over everything you touched – If you are worried about catching something (it was more important in early COVID days because we didn’t know enough about it). You can keep a few wipes in a sealed sandwich bag and place the bags in various areas – car, purse, jacket pockets, etc. You can make your own – paper towels soaked in isopropyl alcohol or other disinfectant, then bag in an air-tight bag. There was a woman on flight I was on who wiped everything down including the armrest and tray table, then offered me a wipe.
Remember that everything in a store has been touched by other hands – so even if you wash everything above, you will then touch something from the store that was touched by other people. Wash or wipe your hands after shopping. Wash all produce before eating.
When shopping, eating out, or being around other people, avoid ones who are coughing (some people have allergies, others asthma, and others may be sick). Wipe surfaces with disinfectant wipes. Wipe the menu. Many items are not cleaned between uses (menu, packets of sugar, ketchup, plastic-wrapped utensils, and such). Some surfaces can keep the viruses alive longer than others.
On that note – make sure to leave your shoes off before going in the house – otherwise you might spread the virus/germs on the floors and carpets, where pets and family lie down and continue to spread it all over the house.
Respiratory and other compromised health issues are hit worse.
Just so you know – I had surgery during COVID with complications – I was intubated 5 times over 2 weeks. It is NOT something you should feel is no big deal if you get COVID – intubation IS a big deal. Thankfully I was under anesthesia each time, but the after-effects were unpleasant. Raw, sore throat, hard to speak, and nothing helped except time. I can’t even fathom having the tube down my throat while conscious!
Cough and sneeze into a tissue then toss it to the trash – or at least into your elbow so not to infect your hands or spread germs into the air.
Use elbows and towels to open doors when in a public restroom. Wipe all surfaces on airplanes that you would touch or at least your hands after touching (seat, seat belt, tray both sides, armrest, fan and light control, window shade, etc.) plus in taxis or other rides. Be mindful of theater seating, concert seating, airplanes, etc. Or at least wipe or wash your hands after touching them and before touching your nose or eyes or mouth.
Boost your immune system – healthy food (lots of produce and ditch the processed foods and sugars), activity, vitamins, drink a lot of water, and get good sleep. Try not to stress about things – keep your best game going. Don’t stress over the illness – at least not until you get it – but then be sensible and fight it without getting stressed. Stay home if you get sick – self quarantine and call your doctor to discuss symptoms. Get time in the sun for Vitamin D and take it as a supplement. Take zinc as a supplement too.
Don’t stockpile everything from the store – many canned and packaged foods have expiration dates – you need to eat it all at some point before then. Everyone needs the same supplies so let others have a chance. Buy from small businesses too – they are hurting for business. Order food to pick up or get delivered from restaurants – and add an appropriate tip.
Don’t go into panic mode. Stay optimally healthy and you can hopefully keep from getting a bad bout of a virus – by avoiding it or getting a mild case. Practice sick prevention as is appropriate for you (you might even keep from getting the flu if you are mindful). Keep enjoying life and support smaller businesses.
P.R.