Prepping for a virus situation

[TomK]

Sorry, Rob, I know it's not directly related to Hawaii, but think some here will enjoy this video by John Oliver. It does touch on some of the things that have been discussed here plus the nonsense of so-called cures, something I'm sure we'll see more of in PW over the next few weeks. And it's quite entertaining as well.

https://youtu.be/c09m5f7Gnic

[terracore]

"To add to your preppers list, get a oximeter. They cost about $45. at Longs."

They are about $10 on eBay. Our daughter who works at Queens in HNL say the cheap ones work as well as the expensive ones. Disclaimer: She's not a oximeter scientist.

[My 2 cents]

Sound advice from Dr. Robb, but I question this part:

"Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon.

This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth."

Most other accounts that I have seen suggest it can be spread by large droplets AND AEROSOL. I'm no expert. Just making an observation and trying to determine what is real.

[ironyak]

The recommendations are a bit out-of-date; note the "snake-associated virus" reference to the old hypothesized intermediate animal. There have been several more recent indications that the virus can be spread by aerosol under certain conditions.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02...798935.htm

But at least the letter is legit!
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/zinc-l...ronavirus/

[PaulW]

Thanks for the snopes link ironyak, it explains a lot.

As for aerosol, I'm no expert either but I'm guessing it means the virus doesn't free-float through the air, when coughed out it will land somewhere immediately and that's where you can catch it.

Thanks for the John Oliver video, TomK, very informative and amusing. I see there was a mention of the now (thankfully) mostly forgotten conspiracy theory, the bleach gargling and that silver does little but lighten your wallet.

I know people mean well but repeating some unproven cure you saw on facebook does not help anyone.

[Guest]

I know people mean well but repeating condemning some unproven unknown to them cure you saw on facebook they are not familiar with does not help anyone.

[My 2 cents]

From the link provided by Ironyak:

"The aerosol transmission refers to the mixing of the virus with droplets in the air to form aerosols, which can float for long distances and cause infection after inhalation."

[My 2 cents]

BTW, thanks Ironyak. Shootz, I was hoping Dr. Robb was correct in his assessment.

[PaulW]

Sorry glindakine, but it's not a cure unless there is actual scientific evidence that it works. How does it help anyone if I buy copper futures then tell facebook that munching on brass keeps you safe?

ETA:
The WHO says:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases...for-public
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

[ironyak]

The 1-2 meter suggestion (depending on who you ask) is just for droplets. Aerosol transmission can be across longer distances and through cracks such as around doors and windows.

As explained by Dr. (Nursing) John Campbell, it's not like it is a hard cut-off between droplet and aerosolation - there is a continuum of how well the virus may spread through the air, so the distance traveled is likely more than 1-2 meters but less than hundreds of meters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4FLqWw0CbQ

Regardless, on prep side, it's helpful to have supplies for cleaning possibly contaminated surfaces and plans for isolating sick individuals in their own space and using respirators if you are directly caring for them.