12 Rules to Live by to Thwart COVID-19

1.   If you are sick, stay home.  Do not soldier on.  Self-quarantine for 14 days.  Work from home, if possible.  If you have workers, it is time to consider letting them work from home, too.

2.   Call the doctor, clinic or emergency room.  Don't just show up because critically vulnerable individuals may be there. Self-quarantine works well, but your doctor will know best.  (NOTE:  One key symptom is an unusually high fever.)

3.     Don't struggle to get to the supermarket or chemist for one more thing.  Use a delivery service or ask a friend to drop by what you need.  Tell them to leave it at the door and ring the bell, phone or send a text.  Don’t feel obligated to thank them in person – they will thank you for protecting them.  

4.     Wash your hands OFTEN, with soap, not disinfectant wipes.  And wash them the right way (see the segment on handwashing in this blog).

5.     If you can’t find any place to wash your hands properly, use disinfectant wipes with a liquid-based on 70% isopropyl alcohol - but do not rely on them over soap and water.  When you get to a place you can wash your hands with soap, be sure to wash your hands properly.

6.     Do not touch anything you don’t have to.  This includes handshaking and hugging for now.  Think before you touch anything!

7.     Carry a fresh handkerchief or supply of ‘Kleenex’ tissues with you at all times.  Use them to ‘touch’ things like ATM buttons, escalator handrails, doorknobs, etc., and then throw them away.

8.     If you must travel and take public transportation and someone is sputtering and coughing near you, move to another carriage or get off and catch the next one.  Try to avoid crowded carriages/buses - just avoid crowds as much as possible.

9.     Get at least seven hours of solid sleep.  It seems to be one of the great preventative keys.

10. Eat well.  If you don’t feel well enough to eat, perhaps try some protein shakes or fruit juices.  But you need your strength.

11. Do not underestimate the need to drink fluids.  If you’re as bad at this as I am, keep a couple of litre-(or quart-)bottles in the fridge and monitor it that way.  (Most people find cold water easier to drink and more refreshing than straight from the tap but just be sure to drink the equivalent of seven or eight (8oz) glasses per day).

12. Try to minimise coffee or other caffeinated drinks (I love them too, but they dehydrate you).  Fluids help flush out the bad stuff so water is best.