March Madness and Being Prepared
March has arrived in full force. You can’t miss the non-stop reporting on the Coronavirus (Covid-19), which creates subtle and not so subtle stressors as we go about daily living.
Being prepared can be very grounding and provide a sense of stability in a topsy-turvy world. Here are some suggestions for your preparedness lists. Pick and choose what works for you.
Eleven Easy Things to Do for Coronavirus Prep
- Wash your hands! And not just a quick rinse under the cold faucet. At least 20 seconds on the clock with anti-bac soap and hot water. People have suggested singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice as a good measure of time. My favorite is “Tura Lura Lural,” an Irish lullaby I used to sing to my girls. I get to enjoy happy memories while washing ☺. Now, needless to say, washing isn’t just after using the bathroom, it’s every time you’ve been out and about, touching surfaces, interacting with people, food shopping, getting gas. This is a lot of hand washing, so make sure you have a nice hand cream to use to keep your hands from drying out.
- No handshaking! Elbow bump, give a slight bow, high five, whatever feels right.
- Don’t touch your face and eyes. Unless, you’ve followed the above and washed your hands.
- Keep disinfectant wipes in your purse, pocket, briefcase, car for those times when you are out and need to wipe down the gas pump, the grocery cart, table or chair. Or use them once you’ve gotten back in the car after being out. This is considered speed-washing, but doesn’t take the place of full hand washing when you get to where you are going.
- Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at the entrances to your home, your offices, in your car, so that if you are out and can’t wash your hands, you can use this in the short term.*
- If you take prescription meds or have a regular supplement protocol, try to get a month’s supply in the event that there is a disruption in their availability.
- If you don’t have one, get a thermometer! Just in case.
- Eat right, get extra sleep, exercise to keep your energy up, and take time to meditate. These sound like non-essentials, however, they really are the foundation for staying strong and mitigating stress during this unsettled times.
- If you haven’t already, get some surgical masks and latex or nitrile gloves and keep them handy. The gloves might come in handy when gassing up the car or bringing in all those boxes from Amazon.
- Stock up your pantry with dry goods and non-perishables. Should you need to self quarantine, you’ll be prepared.
- Get some tissues, and when you cough or sneeze, do so into the tissue and then discard. Use your elbow only when there’s no alternative, as you’ll carry germs on your clothing. Some reporting is showing that the germs can live for up to a week.
Peter has been researching this virus since early January, when we were on a trip to Florida, he spent his time hunched over his computer, mashing up data and following trends. He definitely was an early flag raiser about the potential disruption this virus could cause. Peter has been writing and updating his Facebook page with his research, and I suggest you go on FB and begin to follow this thread for daily and time sensitive updates.
Here’s a quick summary of the natural products Peter has written about that will be useful to have on hand:
- Selenium (200mcg daily): Evidence shows that areas of Africa with high levels of selenium in the diet have lower susceptibilities to many viruses. This may be due to selenium’s effects on glutathione, an important and necessary component of an effective immune response.
- Vitamin D (2000-4000iu daily): Studies show that high serum levels of vitamin D seems to protect against any tendencies of respiratory viruses to trigger more severe consequences (such as acute respiratory distress).
- Andrographis: Long known in traditional Chinese medicine as an effective natural medicine against respiratory infections, Andrographis has also been shown to inhibit processes inside the cell that are corrupted by the virus in its attempts to reproduce itself.
- Stinging Nettle Root: A well known herb for prostate wellness, the root of the herb Urtica dioica contains a lectin with known antiviral qualities that has in fact been shown to be effective against similar strains of Coronavirus.
- Elderberry: Long known for its anti-viral properties, elderberry may help block attempts by the virus to enter the cell by inhibiting an enzyme used to drill through the cell membrane.
- Other foods to consider: Leeks, onions and garlic contain ‘monocot mannose binding lectins’ and because of this quality may help block coronavirus. Media and so-called experts have been stating that ‘garlic is ineffectual’ but it seems they are ignorant of these attibributes.
Peter has also made an extensive database of anti-virals that play a role in treating the virus, and he continually updates this with new information.
Stay strong, be prepared and find pockets of joy in life as we go through these turbulent times.
A big high five!
Martha
*If you can’t find hand sanitizer or want to make your own, here’s an easy recipe:
- 1/2 cup 91% Rubbing Alcohol
- 1/2 cup Aloe vera gel
- 8-10 dropsEssential oils (your choice – lavender, vanilla, peppermint, grapefruit, clove, pre-blended wellness oils)