The GAIA Health Blog

…as I’ve stated a gazillion times in this Blog, I’m not licensed or certified in anything, but I think a pretty decent “self taught” wellness researcher.

But I’m getting a slew of questions from Family and Friends, so I wanted to put together a post just to have a link to send out.

(My family and friends are for the most part not into health and wellness research, they mostly read my site and do what I do, but that’s cool.)

Anyway, here are my most important thoughts on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Testing Positive for COVID-19 is not a death sentence…

…since, from what I understand, 80-90% of infected people will either not get sick or have symptoms or may only get sick to the level of the cold or flu. However that positive testing person can pass a “death sentence” on to a vulnerable family member, like an elderly mother or grandfather. So you still have to take a positive test seriously!!

Why do some people get sick and die and others don’t…

…as I understand, it’s all about one’s immune system. Elderly people and people with other per-existing illnesses have weakened immune systems and are thus more vulnerable to not being able to withstand the attack of a new virus.

What are the symptoms?

Flu symptoms often come on suddenly, while COVID-19 symptoms appear to develop more gradually (I think “more gradually” means a week or a little more from what I read). Seems its common for mild symptoms to linger, person will think things are fine, then the house of cards comes crashing in after a week or so. Common symptoms fever, chills, cough, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, body aches and pains, vomiting or diarrhea. (note some of these symptoms overlap with regular flu symptoms)

If one gets “mildly” ill…

Can only state my opinion here, but if I got flu-like symptoms, I would “self quarantine” and ride it out, overload my body with superfoods and nutrition. I would try too get tested if I can find a test (I heard the University of Washington here in Seattle now has a drive up test facility like is abundant in South Korea). I wouldn’t run to the hospital unless things felt serious, that’s just me. For mild flu-like symptoms that don’t escalate, there’s nothing the hospital can do but isolate you (from what I understand) and you can do that yourself anyway, without putting hospital staff and other patients at risk. But everyone has to make their own judgement call on this one.

What is a “Self Quarantine”…

…to isolate yourself from everyone so you don’t risk spreading COVID-19 to anyone else. I’m not yet clear on how long one should self-quarantine if they feel like they may have COVID-19, but I keep hearing of this period of 14 days as a self quarantine.

What I don’t understand, is, even after your self quarantine, say you don’t have any symptoms and things seem alright, do you just go back out in society? Only pondering because you can still have the virus and possibly spread it, even though you probably won’t get sick from it. I suppose that’s where getting tested comes in, but tests as of 3/15/2020 are still scarce in the USA.

A Face Mask “Might” (or Might Not) be a waste of time…

…though I don’t think anyone can stop people from the instinctive reflex of wearing masks. From the smart advice I’ve heard if you have COVID-19, the mask helps prevent coughs and sneezes from spreading. The main reason the professionals say it won’t help is that you can catch the virus via handshake and it can enter through your eyes or elsewhere. Also, one can continuously be adjusting one’s mask and thus touching one’s face which makes you more vulnerable.

However, always giving my [un-professional], but hopefully well thought and logical opinion to family and friends, there are two schools of thought to this mask thing. It seems like part of the reason people are being advised to not rush out and buy masks is because there is a shortage for health care professionals. That “might” imply the mask would have to have some value for health care professionals, right? That’s just me and my logical brain there. From what I understand, there is only one certain kind of mask that is really helpful and that is called an N95 mask, they are face fitting and have filters.

However, N95 masks are becoming harder to come by and many scam products are popping up. {sigh}. When going for groceries, once a week now, my only time I’m in a crowd, I wear what’s called an “Altitude Sports Mask”, which I already had, whether it is of any value or not, who knows (I must say, it looks much cooler and sleeker than every one else’s mask, it always draws admirable stares in the arena of “Mask Fashion” 🙂 ). But seriously, I would have to tell family and friends, “if you are following all other precautions (washing hands, avoiding crowds, avoiding handshakes, avoiding touching your face, etc.,) and if a mask will give you more peace of mind, calm your nerves (which helps keep your immune system strong) then by all means wear one it cause it can’t hurt” (just try not to keep adjusting it and touching your face). If I were on a plane, I’d be compelled to wear one…..

Handshakes are a thing of the past….

…at least for the time being. Don’t shake anyone’s hand for the next several months or longer. The “elbow bump” is becoming the popular thing to do, but in Seattle, it is not considered and insult anymore to refuse a handshake. No need to touch anyone at all when greeting, for the time being.

I get the “impression” this thing is VERY EASY TO CATCH…

…that’s my observation, instinct and assumption, and that’s how I’m approaching this thing, especially since I’m in one of the “Hot Spots” of the USA if not the world, Seattle Washington. I heard that Chinese studies showed that 4 of 5 people who caught it caught it from people who probably didn’t know they had it. Heard the story of 13 Americans on a ski trip to Italy, they ALL came back testing positive (strange enough, the oldest person in the group, in his 70’s or 80’s I think, got the least sick)

Rumors of intentional limiting of test kits in the USA?

…I’ve heard them too, who know knows what is true or not. I thought that might be one way they are trying to not overwhelm the medical system (which the medical industry seems to be justifiably paranoid about), but I’m not speculating too hard. I expect dozens if not hundreds of internet rumors to fly about in the near future, but I’m devoting my mental energy to protecting my health and taking practical precautions.

Don’t look for a vaccine anytime soon..

…from my research, a vaccine is not right around the corner (no matter what the President says), it could take a year or ore, if they ever create one at all. And in a year, the virus could have mutated to where the original vaccine is ineffective. I’m not the biggest fan of vaccines anyway, but I won’t get into all that here.

Can kids get Coronavirus?

…as I understand it, YES, kids can get it, but are less likely to get sick or have any effects. But once again, they are still vulnerable to spreading the virus, so it is still a serious issue with kids just as well as adults, and maybe moreso for kids, as kids can be more careless about taking precautions.

The hospital may not be able to help you…

…unless your situation is life threatening, say for example, your breathing is failing, and you need to be on a respirator. Imagine the strain on hospital staff of the rush of people coming in with no symptoms or very minor symptoms. There is no known cure or medications, and all you might accomplish by prematurely rushing to the hospital is infecting hospital staff and other patients.

“Social Distancing” might be the number one weapon…

I’ve been joking telling friends “I been doing that for years anyway”. But staying away from people and crowds whenever possible might be one of the best ways we can all participate in tackling this crisis.

Crowds…BAD!!!

…this may be a given, but Cruise Ships, airplanes, sports stadiums and such are taboo!!! Heard a health professional say yesterday on the news that he wouldn’t get on a plane unless it was an absolute emergency.

I had to change my entire routine…

…which might have been easier for me than the next person, since I live alone and just not around people that much anyway. I work from home, so I just had to address the gym and the supermarket. Other than that, I’m not out that much. I’ve cancelled going to the gym indefinitely, and now going to Whole Foods for groceries only once a week and at 7am when they first open, when there are very few people there. That’s gonna be life in Seattle for a while…..

You’ve heard the basic hygiene practices, but once again…

Wash your hands often for twenty seconds, don’t touch your face, don’t shake hands, cover mouth when you cough, and so on. You can find plenty of info on the web on basic precautions.

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition.

…my mantra that I live and breathe by is the body’s own immune system is the best protection against any disease, and quality nutrition is the best way to boost the immune system.

(As straight forward as that sounds, I’ve always felt the hardest thing for me to do is convince people of that).

Nobody truly knows where this is all going.

…so we gotta ride it out. But, your brain and thinking are powerful weapons, and can save you from many things, you gotta just crank that brain up and use it to the max in situations like this.

Be careful with this internet….

…I know I’m “on the internet” writing that very caution, but you gotta watch what you’re reading, so many false motives out here, so much misinformation, it’s just not an easy thing dealing with this internet. Use your instincts more than your emotions when pulling stuff off the internet.

Life IS gonna change…

…be that for the next 2 months or the next 15 years. But we’re a very resilient species of life. This may be a stretch, but maybe the virus will wipe all this divisiveness and get us into the mindset that we’re all in this together. We have to start watching out for and helping each other (Note to Self: What a novel idea!!!) Maybe compassion and love and respect for one’s fellow man and woman may spread faster than the virus (but, I freely admit I’ve always been an Idealist 🙂 )

Be at your wisest!!! Good luck, health and happiness to us all…

Doug at GAIA Health Blog

~stay healthy~

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