Living with Covid-19

Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus is invisible to the naked eye. That's one of the reasons it is so difficult to protect against. It is also airborne, that is, it is transmitted in the air that we all breathe. It is a respitory virus, so people who have the virus, have it in their lungs, and nose and wind pipe area, so that every time they exhale, they are pumping the virus into the air around them. When they sneeze or cough they pump larger amounts of the virus into the air around them at much higher speeds and greater concentrations that travel further. Thus, people who are exercising and breathing heavily are putting much more virus into the air around them than are people who are still or not moving, or moving slowly. 

There's increasing evidence to suggest that people who are not symptomatic are, in fact, transmitting the infection. In fact levels of the virus found in the nose or throat of asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals can be considerable and are equivalent to the amount of virus found in individuals with symptoms of coronavirus.

So, how do we try to prevent catching the virus in the first place? Here's a list of things to think about and guidelines to live by. (See the U.S. Center for Disease Control's recommendations here):

1). Practive social distancing at all times if possible. This means to remain 6 feet ( or 2 meters or yards) away from all other people at all times. Obviously this is not always possible, especially for people who live together. People who live together can act as one unit and they do not need to distance from each other (unless one of them becomes infected, or shows symptoms).

2) When meeting anyone, when exercising, when doing any activity, try to do it outside. Virus transmission is much lower outside in fresh air. The worst place to be close to other people is inside. It is much safer outside, especially if there is a breeze or wind, and especially if you practice social distancing.

3) Wear a high-quality mask, or better yet, a respirator. 3M (the US company formerly known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturig) N95, N99 and N100 respirators offer the best protection. Don't buy cheap, low-quality Chinese rip-offs, because that's exactly what they are - cheap, low-quality and most likely an Intellectial Property rip-off, and either counterfeit goods or fraudulent. For example the "KN95" sold that are made in China are just crap and are trading on the name and good reputation of 3M's famous and effective N95 respirators. Only respirators can prevent you from catching the virus, but masks are much better than nothing. Check for counterfeit products, shoddy goods or fraudulent offers and price gouging at the 3M website and the US CDC - Center for Disease Control - at the NIH.

4) Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use a minimum 60% alcohol hand sanitizer. Covid-19 can be transmitted via surfaces for hours, and in the case of a hard mettalic surface, like a door handle, for days. Do NOT touch your face, mouth, nostrils or eyes. Try to touch things as little as possible, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly often, after touching anything. Do not touch your mask or respirator. If you wear a mask or respirator, leave it on until you are done with it for the day. The outside of your mask could be a particularly dangerous thing to touch as it could harbor the virus.

5) Stay away from crowds, and indoor places with a lot of people in small spaces. Also, stay away from people who are exercising and / or breathing heavily. Thus stay away from nightclubs, gyms, crowded bars, indoor parties, dance halls, aerobics classes, indoor group fitness classes, and any large gatherings like concerts, performances, cinemas, etc.  Remember the lower the population density, the safer you are, and the more air current there is the safer you are.

6) Live healthily, exercise (outside!) and stay healthy. Now is the time to stop smoking and stop drinking (alcohol lowers your bodies immune system). Eat a balanced diet, and lose those extra pounds. Prepare your body NOW to be at its healthiest for your best survival chances should you become infected. Start to exercise your lungs now, and build up lung strength now, before you really need it. It is quite possible that this virus will infect everyone sooner or later, so start to prepare now.

7) Stay positive and stay alert. Keep calm with prayer and meditation and positive thinking. Stay alert to dangerous situations like crowds, a lack of social distancing, and too many people without masks. This is a great time to improve your health, discipline and fitness. Be the best that you can be, and be prepared.