7 Ways to Stay Safe from Coronavirus
To date, more than 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with over 100,000 deaths, and many more new coronavirus cases are emerging on a daily basis. Already more than 500,000 cases have been confirmed within the United States with thousands of deaths. And health officials fear this is just the tip of the iceberg (1).
On Monday, March 2, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Tom Frieden declared, “Never before has a new pathogen emerged and caused a global spread like this. It has the ability to cause enormous social and economic disruption.”
It doesn’t help that this new coronavirus may have been circulating undetected in the United States, possibly for weeks. Or that test kits from the CDC were flawed and limited in number, so cases may have slipped through the net (2).
On Tuesday, March 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the mortality rate of the virus was much higher than previous estimates, an alarming 3.4% (3). Finally, on Wednesday, March 11 the WHO declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.
While many cases (an estimated 80%) are mild, the number of severe and critical cases is very worrisome. Research shows people over 60 and those with underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are at the greatest risk.
Public health officials in the U.S. have moved to try and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, with school closures, quarantines, and travel disruptions. Already some store shelves are empty of supplies. On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency to free up resources and funds to fight the rapid spread of cases and the economic impact. And now, the United States is considered the epicenter of the pandemic with the most confirmed cases in the world.
Yes, this is a new virus, and there are a lot of unknowns for the days and months ahead. But there are also some tried and true strategies that can help you be prepared and stay safe. Here are 7 top virus protection tips.
1. Wash Your Hands
Like other viruses, the majority of coronavirus infections may not happen from breathing viral droplets. Instead, most infections will come from your own hands. Or rather, from what your hands came in contact with.
Viral particles attach and stick to surfaces that we unconsciously touch – a door handle, a receipt, a coffee cup. And then we touch our faces, introducing the virus to our eyes, nose or mouth.
That’s why it’s vital to wash your hands often, with soap and water. Every time before you eat or drink, and really scrub them for about 20 seconds. This simple step can greatly reduce your chances of viral transmission.
2. Get Enough Sleep
What does sleep have to do with staying safe from viruses? It’s simple… without enough restful sleep your immune system is depressed and more vulnerable to viruses, and research shows that includes coronaviruses.
A study published in the prestigious JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who had less than 7 hours of sleep were 3 times more likely to develop a cold—a type of coronavirus—than those who had 8+ hours a night (4).
If you find it difficult to get enough sleep, consider CBD Oil before bed, and try these strategies to get the best sleep of your life.
3. Avoid Sick People
If you don’t come in contact with people who have signs of respiratory illnesses, your chances of catching one are greatly reduced. That means not shaking hands or getting close to someone who is coughing or sneezing.
Right now, most people with the sniffles are unlikely to have the coronavirus, but taking precautions such as avoiding packed trains, elevators or other places where personal space is compromised is a sensible step.
And when you do encounter coughing people, turn away if possible, and make a note to avoid touching your face until you can wash your hands thoroughly.
4. Manage Stress Levels
Life can be stressful enough on any given day. Add a new coronavirus into the mix and it’s hard not to worry that the world as we know it could end.
But using stress management techniques that work is vital. That’s because stress can weaken your immune system. In fact, researchers discovered that stress lowered all aspects of immunity, making it more likely you’ll get sick (5).
One of the best ways to keep calm is to include CBD-rich hemp oil in your day since cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective against stress (6).
5. Eat More Fruits & Veggies
Most emergency supplies consist of canned tuna and processed soup. Sure, it’ll give you calories, but not much else. Now’s the time to invest a little extra in good quality nutrition.
Organic berries (stock up on frozen), and organic green veggies are nature’s multivitamins. They come complete with the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs to stay healthy.
Short on time and space? Superfood powders are a shortcut to boost intake due to the high number of veggies and low cost per serving. And research shows drinking an organic green juice every day has huge health benefits.
Adding a few extra canisters of Super Green Juice or Organic Super Protein to your supplies can give you dozens of nutrient-dense smoothies without taking up much shelf space.
6. Detox Daily with Zeolite
Toxins are one of the little-known ways that your immune system can underperform. Research shows that heavy metals such as lead can decrease the number of NK (natural killer) cells, lowering immunity (7).
Clinoptilolite zeolite is renowned for detoxing heavy metals, and a wide range of health benefits. Initial clinical research suggests that natural zeolite Clinoptilolite may also have antiviral properties. This research showed that Clinoptilolite zeolite inhibited viral proliferation of several types of viruses (8).
Zeolite has not been tested against coronaviruses, and currently there is no approved treatment for covid-19. What we do know is that by removing toxins, the right zeolite can support your immune system and overall wellness.
7. Strengthen Your Immune System
The difference between a mild case of coronavirus and one that is more severe may very well come down to how someone’s immune system responds.
That’s why many of the previous steps speak to the importance of your own immune system being strong enough to evade and fight off any pathogens. Read our complete seasonal immunity guide here to stay healthy.
We’re in this together,
This article is provided for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. You are encouraged to form your own conclusions based on reputable sources. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.