by Tonya L. Breaux-Shropshire, Ph.D., MPH, RN –
How to protect yourself and your family from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) now that we are open as a country. Many of my family and friends are essential workers and have asked me how to protect themselves and their families . My answer is the same for everyone, although they have different work and health situations.
Hypertensives and COVID-19
We now know that hypertension is a risk factor for COVID-19. Being 60 years old or older puts you at even more risk. Therefore, you should protect yourself and family by continuing to take precautions. In the video below, Dr. Gupta explains why high blood pressure contributes to the high risk of COVID-19.
How to Protect Yourself & Your Family from COVID-19
Just as with everything else, prevention is the key. Staying the course of protecting yourself might feel like overreacting, but overreacting is likely not harmful in this case. Overreact and prevent exposure to the COVID-19 virus. So, see the list below to prevent exposure.
1). Continue all three aspects of social distancing: Wear a mask (N95 for essential workers). stay 3 arm lengths away from everybody, and frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your face.
2). Shower immediately upon returning from work and sanitize your steering wheel, your car seat, and everywhere you touched before leaving your vehicle, including your phone.
3). Leave your work shoes outside the door in a covered area and place your work clothes in the washer immediately
4). Clean your watch, phone, glasses, keys and any other items you brought into the house with a towel slightly saturated with warm soapy water
5) Take your zinc, elderberry, vitamin C, and other supplements before you leave home to boost your immunity
6). Take breaks every 2-3 hours in your car or away for the work area and other people to take a break from the mask and hydrate. Anytime you touch the outside of the mask, wash your hands
What Supplements Might Protect You and Your Family From COVID-19
As was stated above, continue to take your supplements. The three main supplements are zinc, elderberry, and vitamin C. Although elderberry has been observed to possibly prevent the virus, if you come down with symptoms, discontinue it. Research conducted by medical doctors has recommended stopping elderberry to prevent making things worst. However, quercetin is promising in children and adults.
See Dr. David Moskowitz’s tweet below for his recommendations. It also contains the dosages for children.
My first guess would be: 125 mg/day for children under 60 lb; 250 mg/day for 60-100 lb; 500 mg/day for 100 lb or above.
If symptoms develop, I would double the dose, e.g. 125 mg TWICE a day, etc.
Kawasaki's disease is not worth getting.
The good news is quercetin is safe.— dwmoskowitz (@dwmoskowitz) May 17, 2020
Conclusion of Protecting Yourself & Your Family from COVID-19
The country is open for business, but I encourage you to overact. Overreact because you have hypertension and you are at a higher risk for severe illness from the virus. Being elderly places you at an even higher risk. Don’t let up, and keep yourself safe.
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