Gacad: Back to normal

AS AN adjective, "back to normal" would mean "conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected." As a noun, it would refer to "the usual, average, or typical state or condition." Nowadays, "back to normal" may "negatively" refer to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) conditions. It is really sad, and disappointing, that some areas in the country may again revert to ECQ. Because of the increasing number of new confirmed covid19 positive cases, the affected LGUs are now contemplating declaring ECQ from what is now a modified general community quarantine. That means going back to square 1. Hay naku!

What went wrong? I think everyone knows the answer. The basic protocols may have been forgotten, or utterly disregarded. Restrictions have been lifted but the "pasaways" have lived up to their billing. In fact, it is scarier now because even while we got used to the new normal of having a face mask and physically distancing ourselves, the "rambos" don't seem to care. It's hard enough adjusting to the new way of doing things and once you've managed to make it your second nature, you hear that more people are still getting infected. What else should we do?

The government has declared that the economy has to move. We need to have economic recovery activities. In fact, everyone agrees, well most everyone, I guess. How much longer can we live like this? How much longer should we live like this?

I've written several times over that it all depends on us. We know what to do but we don't do it. Complacency will lead to death! The call is for everyone to cooperate.

Let us, therefore, think ahead. Without sounding like a pessimist, perhaps we should now think about what to fo if infected with the virus. Information about preventing infection has been disseminated a lot of times. Information on how not to infect others has also been disseminated a lot of times. Maybe it's time we think about what one can, and should do, if and when infected.

It does not have to come to this point but with what a minority is doing, the majority is facing a very big risk. Previously, it would take 100 days to reach 1 million infections. Now, it seems it only takes a week or two. It appears that the virus has become very "powerful," but I don't think it has. We have just become too complacent.

I can go on and on and plead that we practice basic personal hygiene. If we do and others do not, then there's a problem there somewhere. I think the other way to do it is to boost our individual immune systems. How do we do that? Here's something I picked up in social media that gives us some information (ctto): "So as your friendly neighborhood Nurse let me make some suggestions: If you get Covid-19, you basically just want to prepare as though you know you're going to get a nasty respiratory bug, like bronchitis or pneumonia. You just have the foresight to know it might come your way! Things to start doing now: Get 20 minutes sun on your entire body (or as much as possible) every day. This will dramatically increase your Vitamin D levels, which improves your immune system.

If affordable take a good general supplement, plus 2000 mg Vit C a day. Include zinc, selenium and glutathione. Scott's Emulsion is a great general tonic (cod liver oil). Things you should actually buy ahead of time: tissue paper, paracetamol, cough medicine of choice (check the label and make sure you're not doubling up on paracetamol), zinc lozenges, throat spray. Honey and lemon can work just as well! A humidifier would be a good thing to buy and use in your room when you go to bed overnight. (You can also just turn the shower on hot and sit in the bathroom breathing in the steam).

If you have a history of asthma and you have a prescription inhaler, make sure the one you have isn't expired and refill it/get a new one if necessary. This is also a good time to meal prep: make a big batch of your favorite soup to freeze and have on hand. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Stock up on whatever your favorite clear fluids are to drink, though tap water is fine you may appreciate some variety!

For symptom management and a fever over 38°c take Paracetamol rather than Ibuprofen. Rest lots. You should not be leaving your house! Even if you are feeling better you may still be infectious for fourteen days and older people and those with existing health conditions should be avoided! Wear gloves and a mask to avoid contaminating others in your house. Isolate in your bedroom if not living alone, ask friends and family to leave supplies outside to avoid contact.

Sanitize your bed linen and clothes frequently by washing and clean your bathroom with recommended sanitizers. You do not need to go to the hospital unless you are having trouble breathing or your fever is very high (over 39°C) and unmanaged with meds. 90% of healthy adult cases thus far have been managed at home with basic rest/hydration/over-the-counter meds.

If you are worried or in distress or feel your symptoms are getting worse: Pre-existing risks -- if you have a pre-existing lung condition (COPD, emphysema, lung cancer) or are on immunosuppressant, now is a great time to talk to your doctor or specialist about what they would like you to do if you get sick. One major relief to parents is that kids do VERY well with coronavirus, they usually bounce back in a few days (but they will still be infectious) Just use pediatric dosing.

Be calm and prepare rationally and everything will be fine. This is to inform us all that the pH for coronavirus varies from 5.5 to 8.5. All we need to do, to beat coronavirus, we need to take more of alkaline foods that are above the above pH level of the Virus. Some of which are: lemon - 9.9pH, lime - 8.2pH, avocado - 15.6pH, garlic - 13.2pH, mango - 8.7pH, tangerine - 8.5pH, pineapple - 12.7pH, dandelion - 22.7pH, orange - 9.2pH.

How do you know you have coronavirus? Itching in the throat, dry throat, dry cough, high temperature, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste and smell, and Covid toes - toes turning blue/black. So where you notice these things, quickly take warm water with lemon and drink."

"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it." -- Tori Amos

"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind." -- Caroline Myss

"Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you -- all of the expectations, all of the beliefs -- and becoming who you are." -- Rachel Naomi Remen

"Healing yourself is connected with healing others." -- Yoko Ono

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