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Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

Please contact our office if you have symptoms, pre-existing lung and heart issues, or are interested in learning more about ongoing immune support.

802-387-0124

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Download our PDF on how to support your body through a fever

Addressing Common Fears About COVID-19

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A World Health Organization (WHO) consultant, Dr Bruce Aylward was dispatched to China to study the epidemic. He stated in his media briefing that China did an excellent job containing the epidemic and as a result the number of new cases are declining. He reported 80% of cases in China were mild, 14% were severe, and 6% became critically ill requiring hospitalization. The mortality rate was between 2% and 4% in Hubei province, and 0.7% in other parts of China. (Keep in mind that in many large cities in China, the air pollution is severe, which compromises lung health and may account for the disparity in these figures.) To put this in perspective, the estimated mortality rate was 10% during the SARS epidemic, and out of the estimated 45 Million influenza cases in the 2017-2018 flu season in the US, 61,000 (mostly elderly) people died (0.1% mortality rate).

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Global Projections


These are evolving as we learn more about this disease, however Jeremy Farr head of the Welcome Trust, an international health research foundation, led a discussion during the Welcome Trust COVID-19 conference call on February 25 2020. He reports the prevalence (the number of cases in a population at a given time) doubling every 6 days wherever there is uncontained community-based transmission. He estimates 25-40% of the world’s population will be infected by early in 2021. In contrast, in 2009 the H1N1 flu infected 16% of the world’s population.

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Risk

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Most people who are succumbing to this infection are over 50 years of age or have some associated illness like asthma, COPD, diabetes etc. For reasons that we do not understand yet, COVID-19 is usually NOT affecting children below the age of 18 and the children who are getting infected are only developing mild flu-like illness. So parents of young children can reduce their parental anxiety.

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The best prevention is ongoing self-care, lifestyle changes, and attention to you immune health. 

Our Recommendations


Focus on healthy habits and immune support prior to exposure, and be vigilant with regular anti-flu measures to protect yourself and others.

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Reduce the probability of being exposed

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Limit Travel and social engagements

  • Reduce or avoid all unnecessary travel, community activities, and social engagements.

  • Convert pharmacy to mail-order to avoid the need to visit the pharmacy.

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Avoid Touching your face – eyes, mouth, and nose! 

Unknowingly, we touch our face dozens of times a day. 

  • Wear a mask: This is the best way to prevent transmission if you think you are in the incubation period or actively ill. Colds (like COVID-19) and flus spreads via airborne droplets from coughing as well as from contact with inoculated hands. 

    • purchase surgical masks which do an excellent job to reduce self-inoculation which is likely the primary route of transmission.

    • Please read this CDC document describing how to put on and take off masks and personal protective equipment.

Reduce probability of becoming infected (if exposed):

  • Change how you greet others: Avoid shaking hands. Instead fist bump, bow, or wave hand, (one person suggested we reinstate the bow and curtsy ala Jane Austen (first person bows and second person curtseys in response regardless of gender.

  • Uplevel your Hand hygiene: Frequent hand washing is the most powerful method to avoid becoming infected.

    • You will inactivate the virus by hand washing with soap for 20 seconds (count it out) or using > 62% alcohol-based hand sanitizers for 1 minute.

    • Engage in hand washing after touching others, objects that others are touching, and also whenever you return home.

    • Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc…

    • Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.

    • Open doors with your closed fist or hip - do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.

    • Use disinfectant or hand-wipes to clean inanimate objects (door handles, shopping carts, counter tops etc.)

      • Ingredients should contain > 62% ethanol, > 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or > 0.1% sodium hypochlorite

      • NOTE: 0.05–0.2% benzalkonium chloride or 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate are less effective.

General Immune Support

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Where possible, keep on hand the following dietary supplements

 

  • Vitamins A, C E and Selenium- these antioxidants support the thymus gland and help detox from the chemicals released in your body during an illness.

  • Propolis/Echinacea throat spray 2-4 sprays in back of throat, 4 times daily

  • Elderberry syrup – take as directed for antiviral activity (has been shown to be as effective as Tamiflu)

  • Zinc lozenges – sucking on them delivers zinc (which kills viruses) to the back of the throat

  • Zinc capsules- to support your thymus gland and white blood cells

 

Call our office for individualized recommendations

 

What supplies to purchase

 

A Thermometer

  • A no-touch thermometer that scans the forehead temperature (with extra batteries)

  • A digital thermometer that can be used orally or in the armpit (with extra batteries)

  • A (non-mercury) analog thermometer that does not depend on batteries.

 

Disposable or washable gloves for use when

  • Going shopping and using carts or baskets

  • Pumping gasoline ( or use a paper towel from the dispenser)

  • All other outside activity in public places- opening doors etc

  • When you come in contact with contaminated areas

  • When you come in contact with those who are ill with the virus

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Disinfectant

  • Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. All the surfaces where these droplets land are potentially infectious from 1-4 days - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious and should be cleaned with soap and water, 60% isopropyl alcohol or chlorine  bleach wipes.

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Cloth Masks

  • These masks prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth, and prevent aerosol dispersal when you are speaking.  They protect others as well as yourself.

  • The mask will not prevent infection if you are in the direct line of fire of a cough or sneeze.

 

Hand Sanitizers

  • The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective. We now carry Between the Poppies hand sanitizer in the office for pick up orders.

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If you are experiencing difficulty due to symptoms or have a preexisting heart or lung issue, please contact our office by phone for immediate support. 

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