COVID CLARIFICATIONS
Hello everyone,
I hope you are having as glorious a Sunday as we are having here in Downingtown, PA. I spent the morning weeding and getting our garden ready for planting.
There is a lot of mis-information floating around out there and a video on facebook which, although for the most part is correct, is not totally accurate. So I went through the video and would like to clarify some things, as well as I know them, as of this morning! Keep in mind, as a “novel” virus, there is a lot about it and its behavior that is still not clear. We are learning as we go.
Remember that the coronavirus is in many ways just like the many other viruses which cause the common cold. It’s just much more infection and for much longer. It also can overwhelm people’s immune system quickly. The basics still hold true.
The most common symptoms are:
1) Dry cough
2) Fever.
3) Shortness of breath.
There are some other, less common ones however like:
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion.
- Stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Sneezing.
- Aches and pains.
Here are some of the things from the circulating video and my commentary.
“If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold”. Probably but not necessarily. As far as sputum and other secretions are concerned, an interesting factoid is that in a normal healthy person, your lungs generate upwards of 1/4 of a gallon of mucus and the nose generates up to ½ a gallon! You also make 1/4 of a gallon of saliva. Also, mucus from your nose does not drain into the lungs. If that’s happening, you’re in dire straits (ie comatose or pretty out of it). That is what coughing and clearing your throat does. Clears it away so you swallow it.
“Corona virus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose”. Again, not necessarily true but who is to say you can’t have the infection as well as allergies simultaneously?
“The virus is not heat-resistant”. Appears to be the case. Certainly washing and drying clothes at normal temperatures kills it and leaving things out in the sun (I would leave for 3 days) will also kill a lot of viruses. This is how you can preserve masks. Just leave them in paper bags since plastic will trap moisture.
“If someone sneezes, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne”. Partly true.
When you sneeze or cough, you “spray” out the most number of virus particles but they are also imbeded in droplets of mucus. Those heavier particles do drop pretty fast but they also drop onto any surface. However, viral particles are airborne just from speaking and even breathing. Admittedly, far fewer particles but they can also remain airborne for at least a few minutes. It’s not clear for how long though.
“It will live for 12 hours on metal surfaces”. It will, but a lot longer than 12 hours. In fact, the outer limit has been documented as 9 days! Metal, like door handles and railings, are the worst. Don;t touch, but if you do, wash your hands and/or use sanitizer.
“It will live on clothing fabric for 12 hours and normal detergent will kill it”. Longer for the survivability, at least 24 hours and yes to the killing with detergent. I basically come home from work, strip down in the garage and those clothes go straight into a bag for cleaning. Now, I am in the line of fire but I would recommend changing clothes, and even showering if you have had to go out.
“Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink water with ice”. I’m not sure with this one and put it on par with the Eastern European practice of putting infants on the deck, in the snow, because it’s “good for their lungs”!. Any water is better than no water. Just drink lots.
“Wash your hands frequently because the virus can only live on the skin for 5-10 minutes” Washour hands, YES. 5-10 minutes is an underestimation. I think it is on the order of hours. All these timeframes give people a false sense of security. Assume it lives forever and just wash your freaking hands!
“Gargle as a prevention”. There is some literature supporting gargling with salt water helping reduce the severity of regular upper respiratory infections. This only works however with hypertonic (salty) solutions. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL BASED MOUTHWASHES. Now, or ever! They kill beneficial oral bacteria.
“Holding your breath for 10 seconds is a good screen for lung function”. Or, you’re just out of shape, which most people are! This is another test which creates a false sense of security. Trouble breathing is trouble breathing. If you really can’t breathe and are not having a panic attack, go to the ER. They can check out, check your oxygen levels, maybe get a chest xray and make a determination as to how sick you are. But DO NOT go, unless you have the triad. Cough, Fever and shortness of breath. Otherwise, you are probably negative vor covid but are going into an environment where you are for sure exposed to many people who are more likely to be sick.
“Drinking water every 15 minutes helps to wash away the virus so it does not go into your lungs”. Yes, drinking water frequently is a good idea because
it keeps you hydrated and each time you swallow, oral and nasal secretions are washed into your stomach where acid destroys the virus. ALSO, Don’t take antacids! If your acids are neutralized, they won’t kill the virus. In addition chronic acid reducing medications impact on nutrient absorption. If you have reflux, the #1 thing you can do is not to allow ANYTHING to pass your lips within 2-3 hours of bedtime, not even water. It’s basic physics. If your stomach is empty, there won;t be anything toere to reflux up.
I will be postiong something about “supplements” soon.
In the meantime, stay well. Get outdoors but social distance.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎