09/11/2020
COVID-19: Science Based Strategies To Avoid Getting SIck
(What We Know So Far)
It has been almost seven months since we all went into quarantine for “two weeks” to stop the spread of COVID-19. During the ensuing months, many of us have had to adjust to the reality that this virus is going to be with us for longer than most people anticipated.
When the virus hit the US back in March the medical community knew very little about the virus – how it spread, how it attacked the body and how to treat infected patients.
In the last several months, they've been able to examine and collate data on how to reduce transmission and infection: and there is some good news to share.
~~DON"T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT TOUCHING SURFACES~~
After examining transmission and infection data, the CDC and other epidemiologists have concluded that surface transmission—touching doorknobs, mail, delivery packages, and grocery carts —seems quite rare. Transmission is now thought to be primarily through large droplets expelled in sneezes and coughs, or through smaller aerosolized droplets, as from conversations.
It is important to note that ‘quite rare’ is not the same as ‘impossible’. Hand washing is still strongly recommended! But knowing that surface transmission is unlikely may ease some of the anxiety many of us feel while shopping for groceries, touching door handles or pumping gas. You can read details of these findings in this recent Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/scourge-hygiene-theater/614599/?fbclid=IwAR007OaSSX6WT5hmBeNfYjJJxO0Cf0ZMzywBj1CnaQncb9H31JZ81IXN-V4
(A quick note: at Whole Health we are still sanitizing all surfaces between every patient. While this may be unnecessary, it is an easy way for us to take every precaution possible to keep you safe.)
~~TAKE VITAMIN D~~
We mentioned the potential positive impact of Vitamin D in our March newsletter and the evidence has continued to grow. Vitamin D significantly reduces COVID-19 symptoms to the point where, even if you contract COVID-19, you may be completely symptom free.
The relationship between Vitamin D and mortality rates was first observed during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. Patients who were exposed to sun daily felt a significant decrease in symptoms by the evening and had a lower mortality rate than their counterparts who remained indoors.
In March and April of this year, widespread testing of the homeless population first in Boston and then in other major cities revealed that about 40% of the homeless population (in all cities) was testing positive for COVID – but none were showing symptoms. While there could be a number of variables that could lead to this outcome, spending most of the day outdoors in the sun is suspected to be the likely factor.
In England the first 10 doctors to die from COVID-19 were from ethnic minorities. In fact, early on, 65% of all NHS workers who have died from COVID-19 were from a black, Asian, or minority ethnic background. Why is this significant?People with darker skin tones have a harder time producing Vitamin D and are often deficient. When a physician in England noticed this trend, he instructed all medical workers with darker skin tones to start supplementing with Vitamin D daily. Since then, not one medical worker from an ethnic minority has died. Again, there may be several factors at play but it very well could be that Vitamin D is the game changer.
To hear about several more examples of Vitamin D reducing COVID-19, listen to the RadioLab podcast: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/invisible-allies
--Why Is Vitamin D So Effective?
Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system. It works in two ways. It can ‘turn up' certain parts of our immune system while 'turning down' others. Vitamin D supplements macrophages and makes them better fighters of invaders but is also reduces your body's cytokine reaction.
Cytokines are a natural by-product of fighting an infection. But with certain diseases – COVID being one of them – the body can get triggered into a ‘cytokine storm' which is what creates many of the more serious cases. When a cytokine storm occurs, it is like your immune system switches from targeting individual foes to aggressively fighting everything thus leading to more damage than protection.
--How much should I take?
To maintain adequate Vitamin D levels, either take a daily supplement or get 15 minutes of sun exposure sometime between 10am-2pm each day. Better yet, get your levels tested and supplement appropriately.
~~WEAR YOUR MASK _ IT WORKS~~
In Missouri, two hair stylists interacted with six employees and 139 clients before learning that they both had COVID. There was no transmission of COVID to any staff member or client. Why? All clients and all staff wore face masks. The CDC report on this case can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e2.htm
While we may not like wearing them, face masks significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19.
~~LIVE YOUR (NEW) LIFE~~
COVID-19 may be with us for months to come. There are some very simple steps we can take to keep ourselves and others safe.
-wear a mask
-take vitamin D
-worry a little less - stress negatively impacts your immune system!
Remember the clinic is open and seeing patients with new protocols in place designed to keep you safe. We would be happy to get you back on track with your health care needs! You can book an appointment here:https://wholehealthacupuncture.janeapp.com
In health,
Graham and Victoria
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