Your first defence: Your immune system
One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves in order to stay healthy is to have a strong immune system. Our immune system is our internal army of defence and if it’s strong, vital and healthy, our bodies can withstand all sorts of maladies like viruses, flus and colds and even more serious illnesses.
Our immune system can remain strong well into old age if we take good care of it.
So what causes our immune system to become weak? Stress. Poor diet. Lack of exercise. Lack of sleep. Too much screen time. Ingesting too many chemicals and toxins. Too much sugar. Research shows that once we consume even a small amount of sugar, our immune system becomes weakened for about six hours afterwards.
We all carry viruses and bacteria in our microbiome. But if our immune system is strong, vital and healthy it has a better chance of eradicating the bad bugs so they don’t take hold in our bodies.
In this time of heightened awareness of the coronavirus COVID-19, instead of succumbing to the fear of it, which only creates more stress, we can start to become proactive and look after our immune system to ensure it’s strong and healthy. It’s the best friend we can ever have.
Lia Fraser
Victoria
Without a home, can they quarantine?
There is a blind spot in public health emergency planning.
I’m talking about the “Hotel Homeless,” who comprise about half of these unfortunates, the invisible half who live in old motels and hotels with a microwave and a mini-fridge.
How are these homeless citizens supposed to quarantine? Anybody got an answer?
S.M. Shuler
Victoria
Sanitizers would help curb the disease
Everyone handles money multiple times every day. It is amazing that this rapid means of spreading disease is not being addressed or highlighted in the press, or in the provincial pandemic battle plan.
Every restaurant, food service, professional service or general merchandise business should have an action plan to protect their employees and customers.
It is simple enough. It requires, however, a conscious effort on the part of the host business to provide the necessary material and ensure employees are trained to follow a few basic rules.
1. Equip each cash station with hand sanitizing wipes or fresh latex gloves specifically for handling money.
2. Frequently use sanitizers to wipe down cash registers, credit card machines, and transaction tables.
3. Restaurants must properly sanitize tables and seats prior to seating new customers
4. Insist on both management and staff to stay home if they suspect or test positive for the virus.
These are but a few means available to help reduce the spread of the virus and reduce the predicted negative impact on business.
With a bit of imagination, common sense and commitment, the business community could substantially reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Steve Nielsen
Victoria
Wash your hands, wash your hands
As a former nurse, who worked in that profession for more than 40 years, I have seen numerous changes. Early in my career, we didn't use a lot of rubber gloves. They were used sparingly and for sterile procedures. We relied on good hand-washing technique. This was also during the early days of HIV/AIDS.
I have family and friends panicking over the lack of hand sterilizer. I have been trying to encourage hand washing. Restaurants, malls, bathrooms have sinks and water to frequently wash.
My suggestion is to contact Island Health and see if they have a hand-washing specialist available to educate the public on the option of hand washing and how to do that effectively.
Jacquie Mutch
Langford
Millions are dying of starvation
The coronavirus situation is concerning. But let’s put this in perspective.
Globally, six million men, women and children die from starvation every day. The carrier isn’t a virus; it is human neglect.
The daily death toll of these people has zero economic impact. They are simply invisible background noise. The coronavirus has economic impact and this is what gets it attention. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to fill in the sad blanks.
While we run around hoarding toilet paper and water, these poor souls having nothing. A human tragedy on a gigantic scale that has been going on for decades. Never a headline or real concern. Think before you react.
John Stevenson
Victoria
Drive-through testing would be efficient
South Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom have initiated drive-through testing for COVID-19.
This seems to be an efficient way to limit spread among patients and protect front-line family physicians.
Diana Chana
Medical office assistant
Saanich
Cruise ships getting an unfair reputation
I am wondering why cruise ships are being singled out since most of the cases of coronavirus in B.C. originated from people infected with the virus flying in from other countries, not on cruise ships.
The idea that the longer you stay on any mode of mass transportation the more likely you are to be infected is not substantiated by science.
Having contact with droplets from an infected person is all the virus needs to enter your body. We don’t need external petri dish conditions for any of us to contact the virus. Our bodies are the petri dish.
The World Health Organization says the incubation period for the COVID-19 virus is between one and 14 days before symptoms occur, and this is the reason why health authorities have people in isolation for 14 days.
The WHO also states that most people start showing symptoms about five days after being infected.
There should be equal concern about the 12 million passengers who will fly on a cramped airplane today around the world. Any form of transportation where people are in close contact for any length of time can be a vehicle for spreading any virus. It’s Virus 101!
What’s the likelihood that any of us will be infected with COVID-19? Health officials have given us simple tools to reduce the risk. Wash your hands often, keep your hands away from your face, and stay home if you’re sick. I’d add one more, if you can avoid being in close contact with others, do so.
One final point, I empathize with those who do not have sick leave or wages that they can rely on to weather the seven- to 14-day downtime. Governments need to assist those who are in this position.
Phil Le Good
Cobble Hill
Cruise industry is being irresponsible
Congratulations to Health Minister Adrian Dix for his frank comments and advice regarding whether, under current circumstances, British Columbians should take a cruise ship vacation.
His frequent and informative reports along with Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, are providing the unvarnished truth when it comes to their health.
Dix is not advocating an outright prohibition on cruising, but only that he would recommend against a cruise vacation as things stand.
In stark contrast, official statements coming from cruise industry officials are disappointing. By suggesting that all is fine and that people should continue to book cruises as normal is the height of irresponsibility and potentially very dangerous.
While it is understandable that this industry is important to the economy, these comments appear to be driven solely by selfish economic interests.
Thanks to the B.C. government for properly managing this difficult situation.
Dan Rowe
Sidney
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