As MOST of you know and accept, COVID-19 (aka the Coronavirus disease) now is a worldwide pandemic. No-one is immune to it. So we need to understand it and get tips from physicians about what to do in the way of protective measures to avoid contact with the virus.
Image by Orna Wachman
Duc Vuong, M. D. Shows and Tells About the Coronavirus Pandemic
The following is the clearest explanation I’ve seen about how the virus works and why self-imposed isolation from others, physically, is essential. Dr. Duc Vuong’s 35-minute video is well worth watching from beginning to end. Don’t cheat! Watch it! Here’s the link, followed by the YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J0d59dd-qM&feature=share. Next, we’ll move on to tips from another physician and more.
In the Beginning of this COVID-19 Pandemic
Image by Mohammed Hassan
Once upon a time, I was among those responsible for pandemic planning as we faced the “Bird Flu” epidemic. So, last month – before I had learned about Dr. Vuong – I posted a bit of what I know about pandemic planning and the then-current state of things on my blog. You can compare where we were then with where we are at the time of this writing, now that the United States has the most known cases in the world.
More important, is to answer the question, “What can we do now?”
Keeping Your Distance From People and THINGS
I hope you are convinced that physical distancing is a requirement, along with greatly extended testing. We must do it if we are going to overcome this disease without catastrophic numbers of deaths and destruction of world-wide economies.
There is more we can do, so I’ll share Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s video showing the proper way in which to wash your hands and will talk a little about masks and gloves.
Then, Jeffrey van Wingen, M.D. will give you tips for sanitizing groceries, handling take-out food, cleansing containers and other things which may be delivered to you to start us thinking about the challenges COVID-19 presents.
Correct Hand Washing and When to Use Hand Sanitizers
Dr. Sanjay Gupta teaches proper handwashing.
Please share the link widely to teach others how to thoroughly cleanse hands. You can save the alcohol-based hand sanitizers for when you are not near soap and water.
I also use a fingernail brush to clean under the nails. It’s great for gardeners, auto techs, and others who regularly get dirty!
You can use these little brushes with the finger grips to clean your jewelry and other small surfaces. However, use the ones for your hygiene only for that purpose. They’re cheap. Buy more if you need more for other purposes.
Wearing Surgical Masks and Blue Nitrile Gloves During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Two Kinds of Masks
These masks do NOT prevent any virus from entering your body, but they may protect against bigger things like droplets when someone coughs or sneezes.
I see people wearing masks, but not covering their noses! This totally defeats the purpose. The virus enters the airways. Cover the nose and mouth. You also may wear eyeglasses or goggles to prevent entry into your eyes.
Only the N-95 mask is useful in viral protection, and those must be saved for front-line workers.
There is a tremendous shortage. Remember, at the time of this writing, health care workers and first responders, as well as those people in transportation, grocery stores, etc. need the protection more than the rest of us, and masks are in short supply. So, don’t hoard. If you have some, please share them with these heroic workers. The life they save may be YOURS!- If you are sick, please wear protection, like the surgical mask, to prevent giving your illness to others – to the greatest extent possible.
- Sharing – not hoarding – applies also to all other forms of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), like gloves and gowns. Let’s learn more.
Blue Nitrile Gloves – Details
Image by Christian Slater
- Traditionally Nitrile gloves come in a blue hue in order to differentiate them as a non-latex glove for people with latex allergies. Now, the reason for such color variation in Nitrile gloves is mostly due to industry preference.
How to Handle Groceries and Food Deliveries Responsibly During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This physician demonstrates ways in which to help protect yourself and others while handling groceries and items which are delivered to your home. I hope you find it helpful. When you are considering what to do, think of all the people – from start to finish – who probably have handled your goods. It’s not just the FEDEX or USPO person who delivered it last that matters. It starts at the beginning. Just use an expanded version of “Universal Precautions,” and act as if everything were contaminated, so you need to take the precautions before using anything.
Coronavirus Causes Creation of New Home Offices
I’m going to address this as a separate blog – probably on my other website for My Persuasive Presentations, LLC. Whereas some people will get exceedingly rich and will profit from the pandemic, others of us (including those of us in the “Gig Economy”) are suffering for lack of income. What can we do about it? I dunno, but I’m determined to find out! Stay tuned…
Meanwhile, let’s ~
Get Well, Stay Well, and Live Well Together Now!