The latest outbreak of the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has the nation shaken as everyone from young to old are breaking their necks to maintain personal hygiene and good health at all times. Originating from the Wuhan province in China, an older version of this formidable germ has existed since 2003 in the form of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (a pandemic which caused a worldwide scare 17 years prior). This means that the latest version of the airborne disease is, a family member of the aforementioned SARS Coronavirus “back for revenge” in this new (and possibly more dangerous) form after its defeat almost 2 decades ago. The COVID-19 coronavirus has only been here for a couple of months and it has caused a bigger stir than it did any other virus pandemic with people rushing to buy masks and hand sanitizers like their lives depend on it. So how exactly does one go about avoiding falling victim to this sweeping disaster? Let’s take a look into that.

Disinfect!

First things first, wash your hands – with soap. You may have heard from various resources that simply washing your hands as many times as you can with soap does the trick. Most of us were also brought up by our parents to practice the commendable habit of washing our hands after using the toilet, touching pets, or before meals. That adage isn’t untrue. In fact, the recommended time, according to the CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention), for washing hands is 20 seconds. You should rub your palm, the back of your hand, and in-between your fingers with soap in order to properly get rid of germs. If possible, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you wherever you go for emergency sanitation in the event a sink and a bottle of hand wash isn’t accessible. You can use it to cleanse your hand on-the-go after touching public door handles, elevator buttons, and escalator hand railings. These days, hand sanitizers are found in abundance at almost every convenience store and pharmacy – Dettol, Neutrogena, Sebamed, and etc. Some health and beauty outlets have even started retailing their own house brands (Guardians, Sephora, Watsons, etc). There has also been a hike in the sales of hand sanitizers since January (as reported by CNBC) in these outlets as more people are trying to protect themselves from the virus. It also helps to not touch your hands to your eyes, nose, and mouth throughout the day as the viruses from your hand can and will be transmitted to your body via these particular sensory organs, risking contamination- and subsequently, a doctor’s visit.

The silent killer

The Covid 19 coronavirus microbe under a microscope

Speaking of doctors’ visits, the COVID-19 coronavirus is quite the silent killer, working stealthily behind the scenes and rearing its ugly head only in the latter stages. By the time the sufferer reaches the latter stages of the disease, it’s too late to contain its exposure to the public. According to CNN, the symptoms only appear after 5 days. The supposed first symptom – a high fever – only occurs after the patient has collected enough harmful fibrosis in their lungs formed by the airborne Coronavirus particles (whose sinister-looking images you can find online by running a quick search on Google images). No, it isn’t really a first symptom but rather a second or third. At this stage, the COVID-19 coronavirus would have already run its full effects inside your body by making its way into your lungs via your respiratory tract. (Just like the SARS coronavirus, the COVID-19 is also a respiratory syndrome). By this stage, most attempts at diagnosis and medication would already be too late (although not totally impossible). Many have perished worldwide in this manner – due to only attending to their health after falling ill instead of taking basic preventive measures (which will be further expounded upon in this article) before falling ill. The fever functions as nothing more than a natural indication your body sends out in order to signal that all is not right within and isn’t really the beginning of the illness but rather, its climax.

The mask

In order to avoid any of this from happening, wear a mask – like what most people are doing, as prevention is better than cure. This is especially helpful for those who work outdoors – like construction and landscape workers. Besides that, constant self-monitoring techniques are also vital. Inhale deeply for more than 10 seconds daily – especially in the mornings and if you can manage an exhale at the end of it without coughing or wheezing, your lungs are in good shape and that means the deadly illness hasn’t got to you. Congratulations. This early detection technique is to nip any onsets of the disease in the bud and stop it before it is too late. One possible way to prevent the COVID-19 particles from even getting to you, wearing a savvy respirator may help. Some of these savvier respirators come with carbon and chlorophyll powder infused in the material and with a little, built-in air filter to filter out toxic air particles. These respirators are made out of 4 layers of cotton and nonwoven fabric. The carbon and chlorophyll function as a means to eliminate harmful toxins and toxic metals floating in the air. A surgical mask like the ones commonly worn (and also cheaper) are not very effective as those only function to prevent your viruses from spreading by confining them behind a mask rather than preventing viruses from spreading to you. Also, if you happen to have a cold (hopefully just the usual common cold and nothing serious), you would be doing yourself and everybody else around you a favour by covering your mouth using a mask or respirator so as to stop your bug from infecting them. In fact, WHO suggests just quarantining yourself by staying at home should you feel an onset of a headache or runny nose.  Let’s not forget also maintaining basic respiratory hygiene such as sneezing or coughing into the crook of your arm or facing away from people instead of facing them (rather rudely) – as you would usually do when you’re sick, regardless of whether there is a virus epidemic or not. Or better yet, sneeze or cough into tissue papers and throw them away immediately. Also, dispose of dirty tissue papers used for blowing your nose properly as the viruses in the mucus droplets are still active despite leaving you – and still capable of spreading.

Immune System: boost it up

As mentioned earlier, prevention is better than cure and in order to further prevent the COVID-19 coronavirus’s deadly grip, we are required to first strengthen our immune systems (as the immune system is the first thing the virus attacks). There are many ways to keep our immune systems strong during this period of disorder. First of all, remember that this is a virus we’re fighting and not a form of bacteria. Thus, antibiotics do nothing to help as those are more suited for fighting the latter. In fact, overconsumption of antibiotics for no significant reason could weaken the immune system, causing your intentions to backfire. Did you know that viruses have a hard time surviving in environments high in Vitamin C? This means to load up on all that citrus (oranges, lemons, and grapefruits) as these fruits are quite famous for their high vitamin C content. However, let’s not leave Vitamins B and D out in our efforts to boost up our immune system. Other helpful nutrients include zinc (found in ginger, pumpkin seeds, high-quality meat, and lentils).  Those are about the nutritional requirements. Essential oils such as those carried by international brands like doTERRA are not only a new health fad but also an interesting way to fight viruses around the house. As the COVID-19 coronavirus is airborne, burning these oils in an oil burner at your home or office to diffuse oil particles into the air fights the virus before it enters your respiratory symptom. There is also a therapy that involves placing a towel over your head, holding your face over a basin of steaming hot water with drops of your preferred essential oil extract for 10 minutes, and slowly inhaling the essential-oil-imbued steam in through your nose and into your lungs. This is especially helpful if you are suffering from a runny nose or cough brought on by a cold. Helpful extracts to consider in this regime include eucalyptus, tea tree oil, cloves, lavender, and lemon. However, if you don’t happen to be suffering from a cold or don’t feel particularly comfortable about holding your head over a steaming pot for 10 minutes and suffering from a strained neck, it’s perfectly okay. You could instead add the oils to a water-filled spray bottle to be sprayed around the home or office. The calming and soothing qualities of oils like lavender are also conducive to helping you relax and are great to be sprayed in personal spaces like bedrooms – so as to both fight viruses and help you sleep better at night. Its aromatic qualities help too. Or you could simply use an electric diffuser to diffuse the oil particles around your work or living space. There are also electric diffusers carried by doTERRA. .

Myth busters

Before we conclude, it is important to know the common misconceptions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus since its inception so as to not take certain things that require more attention for granted. First of all, the COVID-19 coronavirus is not something that only puts the elderly at risk. The virus harms all members of the community – regardless of whether you were literally born yesterday or on your deathbed. The Achilles heel for the coronavirus to catch you by is simply negligence of personal hygiene or a weak immunity system – or both. Another misconception that needs to be addressed immediately is that the only way for the virus to spread is by being near an infected person. As stated in this very article, touching contaminated surfaces and inhaling contaminated air is enough to trigger a bout of illness. Another rather baffling claim made – as reported on The Guardian is that “face masks don’t work”. If it is indeed true that face masks don’t work, look around. The simple fact that many people are wearing them might send a message: that it is something that actually works. If a simple observation doesn’t convince you, maybe The Telegraph UK will.  It may not be a 100% foolproof method to keep viruses at bay but it certainly does work to a certain extent and once again, prevention is better than cure. As mentioned earlier, there are more effective masks now as well for you to make use of and keep the germs at bay. Also, contrary to popular belief, there hasn’t been a vaccine developed for this illness yet. In fact, USA Today has predicted that a vaccine for the COVID-19 coronavirus isn’t until 2021 – which is next year. Therefore, do not rest on your laurels as there isn’t a definitive cure yet and for the time being, prevention still wins.

So, there you have it. At first, the COVID-19 coronavirus may seem threatening – from all the sinister close-up images of the microbe examined under scientists’ microscopes. However, now we know that it isn’t as menacing as it seems. The key to preventing ourselves from becoming a statistic of this epidemic lies in these steps: hygiene, prevention (including social distancing), and sustaining of our immune system.