"Communicate with family, friends and neighbours"
This is the last step recommended for being prepared as an individual by the Canadian government for COVID-19. I figure social media is often how we communicate these days, particularly when many of us are working from home or live far away from one another.
"Share your plan with them, as this might motivate them to make their own."
Ok, I'm doing it! May it inspire you to do the same. :) So here's my plan & my supplies. Supplies first, cause that took days to track down. LOL
My Supplies
1. Soap
This is something I always have in stock. It's Dr. Bronner's soap, the unscented version. It's all-natural and concentrated, so it has to be diluted with water. So I'm set for soap. :)
2. Anti-Viral Disinfectant
I chose to get the same natural cleaner I usually get, Seventh Generation's Cleanwell products. I found and bought one of each of this type of cleaner. The cleaners contain Thymol. Here's my evidence for believing Thymol works:
3. Toilet Paper
Yes, I got toilet paper, but not like a shopping cart full. LOL I got a package. Seemed reasonable to me. Wishing I had a bidet really. LOL
4. Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher)
Sadly, by the time I got to the stores there was none of this left, anywhere. I have a little bit left, but thought getting ingredients might be a good idea.
5. 70% & 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
This was also completely sold out by the time I got to the stores! I do have a little left, so I'll work with what I have until stores restock. From what I've read 70% is good for sanitizing & 99% can be used to make sanitizing solutions.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
Interestingly, even Aloe Vera gel was sold out many places I went to! I got something that was as pure as possible (98% aloe vera gel).
Note: If you choose to make your own hand sanitizer, should use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol + Aloe Vera Gel. You must include at least 60% alcohol and can go up to 72% alcohol in the mix.
7. Thyme Oil
I ran across Thyme oil at a store that sells essential oils and thought, yeah, why not? It's pure Thyme oil, or in other words, Thymol. Not diluted at all. I figure a drop of this in the homemade sanitizer won't hurt.
I also found a recipe for a sanitizing spray using Thyme oil, here it is:
I consider this kind of a last resort. I'd use the store-bought Thymol cleaners first or 70% alcohol, as I know those are proven to work. This recipe off the internet...hmmm...I don't know, but it's Thymol, so it should work.
8. Surgical Masks
I already had these in with my medical supplies. The general advice for the public is, if you have a cold, STAY HOME. If you must go out, for the love of all things, put on a surgical mask!
Rules for putting on a mask:
That's pretty much all the physical supplies. And people, buy what you need, but please don't overbuy! A few people stocking up does not help us all. Everyone needs basics.
It's already gotten to the point where Dentists in BC are having to cancel appointments because of surgical mask shortages!
And as I mentioned several items were not available anywhere, at any of the stores I visited & for some items that's been true for a while now.
My Plan
1. Washing Hands...more
I clean my hands a lot already. Anytime I come in from being outside, I wash my hands. Anytime I'm going to touch food, I wash my hands before. Just common sense, right?
2. Don't Touch Your face!
Seriously! This is one of the main transmission routes for any bacteria or virus. Your eyes, nose, mouth...so wash your hands before you touch your face! I already do this, just trying to be more conscious of it.
3. Namaste
Handshakes are definitely out these days. I'm kind of hoping we can all switch to Namaste. :)
4. Clean Your Phone
Really, it's one of those objects that gets dirty and you touch it a lot and you sometimes put it near your face. Clean it, often! Again, something I already do...
5. Avoid Touching Surfaces
Elevator buttons, handles on doors, etc. Alternatives:
6. Indoor/Outdoor Protocol
7. Avoid Crowded Places
Ok, this is new for me, but my friendly Canadian government says, if COVID-19 becomes common in your community, you will "want to have thought" about how to change your behaviours to reduce risk. I'm having thoughts...
Since we've now had at least one incident of "community transmission", I'd say the GVRD now qualifies as a community risk zone. In the Vancouver area, someone got COVID-19 and they have no idea where they got it or who they got it from, they didn't travel or have contact with anyone known to have it. I'm pretty sure it was a combination of that announcement, the first local death, and the WHO officially saying it was a pandemic that made everyone rush out to buy supplies at the stores this week.
So, the Canadian gov says your plan should include reducing exposure to crowded places. So here's my plan for that:
8. Wellness
I know the government is suggesting having some food on hand & that's probably a good idea & I generally do. Here are some highlights of what's in my kitchen.
I guess this is a good place to mention supplements too.
I think eating well is important. You need to make sure you're taking care of yourself physically. I think the same is true mentally. You need to take care of yourself mentally too.
Make sure you educate yourself. Make sure you meditate, pray, relax. Sleep well. We need calm rational actions the most right now & acts of compassion. And belief does play a large role in how we feel and even how well our immune systems work!
So go ahead and read about The Extraordinary Decisions Facing Italian Doctors, but also make sure you read Coronavirus: Ten reasons why you ought not to panic. Both perspectives are important to have.
If you're looking for some light edutainment, I highly recommend "Cells At Work", which is on Netflix. I think now is a great time to watch it, cause you'll understand how the immune system works so much better. And it's cute. :)
#pandemicpanic #coronavirus #covid19 #makeaplan
This is the last step recommended for being prepared as an individual by the Canadian government for COVID-19. I figure social media is often how we communicate these days, particularly when many of us are working from home or live far away from one another.
"Share your plan with them, as this might motivate them to make their own."
Ok, I'm doing it! May it inspire you to do the same. :) So here's my plan & my supplies. Supplies first, cause that took days to track down. LOL
My Supplies
1. Soap
This is something I always have in stock. It's Dr. Bronner's soap, the unscented version. It's all-natural and concentrated, so it has to be diluted with water. So I'm set for soap. :)
2. Anti-Viral Disinfectant
I chose to get the same natural cleaner I usually get, Seventh Generation's Cleanwell products. I found and bought one of each of this type of cleaner. The cleaners contain Thymol. Here's my evidence for believing Thymol works:
- I found a US government PDF that lists a Thymol based cleaner as a coronavirus disinfectant.
- Seventh Generation says they've submitted an application to the EPA to be on the list of official products recommended, but they haven't heard back yet.
- And Another Thymol product has issued a press release about their cleaner being effective against Coronavirus.
3. Toilet Paper
Yes, I got toilet paper, but not like a shopping cart full. LOL I got a package. Seemed reasonable to me. Wishing I had a bidet really. LOL
4. Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer (60% alcohol or higher)
Sadly, by the time I got to the stores there was none of this left, anywhere. I have a little bit left, but thought getting ingredients might be a good idea.
5. 70% & 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
This was also completely sold out by the time I got to the stores! I do have a little left, so I'll work with what I have until stores restock. From what I've read 70% is good for sanitizing & 99% can be used to make sanitizing solutions.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
Interestingly, even Aloe Vera gel was sold out many places I went to! I got something that was as pure as possible (98% aloe vera gel).
Note: If you choose to make your own hand sanitizer, should use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol + Aloe Vera Gel. You must include at least 60% alcohol and can go up to 72% alcohol in the mix.
7. Thyme Oil
I ran across Thyme oil at a store that sells essential oils and thought, yeah, why not? It's pure Thyme oil, or in other words, Thymol. Not diluted at all. I figure a drop of this in the homemade sanitizer won't hurt.
I also found a recipe for a sanitizing spray using Thyme oil, here it is:
- 10-30 drops thyme essential oil
- 1 oz. rubbing alcohol
- 8-ounce spray bottle
I consider this kind of a last resort. I'd use the store-bought Thymol cleaners first or 70% alcohol, as I know those are proven to work. This recipe off the internet...hmmm...I don't know, but it's Thymol, so it should work.
8. Surgical Masks
I already had these in with my medical supplies. The general advice for the public is, if you have a cold, STAY HOME. If you must go out, for the love of all things, put on a surgical mask!
Rules for putting on a mask:
- Wash your hands before!
- Put surgical masks on with the blue side facing out. (It's waterproof on that side.)
- Wash your hands before removing it & after you take it off. (Consider it contaminated.)
That's pretty much all the physical supplies. And people, buy what you need, but please don't overbuy! A few people stocking up does not help us all. Everyone needs basics.
It's already gotten to the point where Dentists in BC are having to cancel appointments because of surgical mask shortages!
And as I mentioned several items were not available anywhere, at any of the stores I visited & for some items that's been true for a while now.
My Plan
1. Washing Hands...more
I clean my hands a lot already. Anytime I come in from being outside, I wash my hands. Anytime I'm going to touch food, I wash my hands before. Just common sense, right?
2. Don't Touch Your face!
Seriously! This is one of the main transmission routes for any bacteria or virus. Your eyes, nose, mouth...so wash your hands before you touch your face! I already do this, just trying to be more conscious of it.
3. Namaste
Handshakes are definitely out these days. I'm kind of hoping we can all switch to Namaste. :)
4. Clean Your Phone
Really, it's one of those objects that gets dirty and you touch it a lot and you sometimes put it near your face. Clean it, often! Again, something I already do...
5. Avoid Touching Surfaces
Elevator buttons, handles on doors, etc. Alternatives:
- Gloves
- Edges of Jackets
- Paper Towels
- Sanitize surface &/or clean hands after contact
6. Indoor/Outdoor Protocol
- Shoes Off & Wash Hands
- Outdoor Clothes
7. Avoid Crowded Places
Ok, this is new for me, but my friendly Canadian government says, if COVID-19 becomes common in your community, you will "want to have thought" about how to change your behaviours to reduce risk. I'm having thoughts...
Since we've now had at least one incident of "community transmission", I'd say the GVRD now qualifies as a community risk zone. In the Vancouver area, someone got COVID-19 and they have no idea where they got it or who they got it from, they didn't travel or have contact with anyone known to have it. I'm pretty sure it was a combination of that announcement, the first local death, and the WHO officially saying it was a pandemic that made everyone rush out to buy supplies at the stores this week.
So, the Canadian gov says your plan should include reducing exposure to crowded places. So here's my plan for that:
- Working from home when/where possible.
- Limiting social contact. I spend time with a small number of people rn.
- Attempting to avoid peak times for stores. (I find this is getting hard, cause everyone seems to be doing this, so stores are busy off peak too.)
- Keeping my distance from people physically, particularly if they're coughing, etc. Nothing personal, just avoid, get away. (But isn't this always true?)
- Avoiding public transit. I've started avoiding public transit in general. Normally, I'd take Skytrain, but for now, my car is my friend.
- Considering whether I want to attend social events. I attended one small social event, but I'm considering if I want to do the larger gathering and events I'd normally do this month.
8. Wellness
I know the government is suggesting having some food on hand & that's probably a good idea & I generally do. Here are some highlights of what's in my kitchen.
- Powdered Bone Broth: Just add hot water for a basic broth, veggies &/or meat for soup, some egg for egg drop soup. Easy to use and versatile.
- Canned Soup: I always try to keep a couple cans around. :)
- Frozen Foods: My freezer is filled with fruits, vegetables, gluten-free bread, pre-made meals, lots of food...and that's the usual state of my freezer.
I guess this is a good place to mention supplements too.
- Vitamins: I usually keep Vitamin C & a multi-vitamin in stock.
- Spirulina: It's something I believe can be healthy based on the reading I've done, but you do need to be picky about brand, quality, purity. It's basically a supergreen food.
- Quercetin: I choose to buy some based on this article. I understand the Quercetin I got probably isn't the same thing they're testing, but from what I've read it seems like a relatively safe supplement that's good for lots of things, including recovering from colds. My theory was probably won't hurt, might help, I'll get some! :)
I think eating well is important. You need to make sure you're taking care of yourself physically. I think the same is true mentally. You need to take care of yourself mentally too.
Make sure you educate yourself. Make sure you meditate, pray, relax. Sleep well. We need calm rational actions the most right now & acts of compassion. And belief does play a large role in how we feel and even how well our immune systems work!
So go ahead and read about The Extraordinary Decisions Facing Italian Doctors, but also make sure you read Coronavirus: Ten reasons why you ought not to panic. Both perspectives are important to have.
If you're looking for some light edutainment, I highly recommend "Cells At Work", which is on Netflix. I think now is a great time to watch it, cause you'll understand how the immune system works so much better. And it's cute. :)
#pandemicpanic #coronavirus #covid19 #makeaplan
RSS Feed
