There is something that is bugging me in this dark time of the COVID-19 health crisis besides the American President Trump’s lies, misinformation, and bullying of the press.
I must admit I am a bit guilty of it too but am trying to be honest and helpful while being stuck at home.
This is the idea of pushing some other agenda besides those dealing with COVID-19.
I am a huge believer in Greta Thunberg, but, although this may be controversial, I think as we are facing death on a mass scale, all else should become secondary.
I am guilty of this too because I have my own interests, like we all do, among them:
Proving that the world can run on open source and privacy-aware software
(This is a big contradiction) I too, like Greta, and millions of her followers, think we should not forget the environment ever
I believe strongly the US elections should go on as the most important democracy in the world needs to be totally renewed
Despite these bullet points, which are along the lines of my own personal agenda which we all have, I think we as a civilization need to focus to fight back this non-human, non-nation state threat, which is the virus COVID-19, otherwise known as a novel (or new) coronavirus.
In that light, here is a good story in my opinion called Food Safety and Coronavirus: A Comprehensive Guide | Serious Eats and below is some information I got from a trusted friend in London England.
Again, I am not a doctor or nurse, just a technical writer, but I feel a responsibility to share on my blog what I think seems like reasonable new information, as copy pasted from WhatsApp below:
⚠ Finally, some sensible advice on Covid-19
Good advice from a nurse..not from me!
“What I have seen a lot of are recommendations for how to try to avoid getting coronavirus in the first place — good hand washing, personal hygiene and social distancing — but what I have NOT seen a lot of is advice for what happens if you actually get it, which many of us will. So as your friendly neighborhood Nurse let me make some suggestions:
You basically just want to prepare as though you know you’re going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it might come your way!
Things you should actually buy ahead of time (not sure what the obsession with toilet paper is?):
Kleenex,
Paracetamol,
whatever your generic, mucus thinning cough medicine of choice is (check the label and make sure you’re not doubling up on Paracetamol)
Honey and lemon can work just as well!
Vick vaporub for your chest is also a great suggestion.If you don’t have a humidifier, that would be a good thing to buy and use in your room when you go to bed overnight. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam).
If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn’t expired and refill it/get a new one if necessary.
This is also a good time to meal prep: make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand.
Stock up on whatever your favorite clear fluids are to drink – though tap water is fine you may appreciate some variety!
For symptom management and a fever over 38°c, take Paracetamol rather than Ibuprofen.
Hydrate (drink!) hydrate, hydrate!
Rest lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better you may will still be infectious for fourteen days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided!
Ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact.You DO NOT NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 39°C) and unmanaged with meds. 90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds.
If you are worried or in distress or feel your symptoms are getting worse, ring 111 and they will advise if you need to go to hospital. The hospital beds will be used for people who actively need oxygen/breathing treatments/IV fluids.
If you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressants, now is a great time to talk to your Doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick.
One major relief to you parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus— they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious), Just use pediatric dosing.
Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine.
Share this as it’s great advice!”
