Being a farm/country girl.... even tho I now live in semi-rural area... I have 3 cats... dedicated mousers all 3. When I lived in the country we had all kinds of critters come in "share" our abode - and old 1920's farmhouse modernized up a bit. Mice,snakes and others always came in during inclement weather.. or ..were brought in by the kids LOL Have you ever considered getting a cat? Lovely creatures and shelters are always full fo those in need of loving homes. ;-)
I have had three cats in the course of my adult life(no pets as a child except goldfish - long story)
Perhaps this is why I've gone this long without sharing my home with mice.
I lost my last beloved cat Jasmine about three months after I lost my mom in 2016. Admittedly, I have retreated emotionally since then. My beautiful dog (god spelled backwards as all of us who have them will attest) Lucy loves to eat cat leavings, and I have used that as an excuse not to adopt a new cat. Four years later and I still feel raw. Definitely need to open my heart again - and I am imperfectly working on doing just that.
Here in Washington State, the governor has declared a state of emergency after the first death of a Coronavirus patient occurred near Seattle. This patient was in a care facility and many more patients and staff are ill, a definite Coronavirus outbreak yet to be confirmed. The latest I read is that the virus was probably spreading in Washington over the past six weeks and that the few confirmed cases are probably the tip of the iceberg. Most cases are mild as you know and people can treat themselves at home. However the State Department of Health has cautioned people to prepare in case schools need to be closed. People may need to work from home, if possible. I understand that grocery stores, Costco and other provision outlets in Seattle have had a run on food supplies, cleaning products, Clorox and hand sanitizer. Where I live, there doesn't seem to be any panic buying.
So this is how it begins. I'm not writing this to scare anyone because I do believe we will get through this experience, but there will be disruptions to normal life.
I think it's a good idea to be pragmatic and ask yourself what items you would need if your community asked you to self quarantine for several weeks. Everyone has been so helpful with useful ideas here and I have a few more for you. Considering that 80% of people infected have a mild case, they will be able to care for themselves at home. There's no cure or treatment for this virus, but you could prepare to treat symptoms and make yourself more comfortable. So do you have Tylenol, Advil or Alleve for a fever? Do you have cough syrup on hand? Or Mucinex or Theraflu? The virus can also cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. Immodium would be good to have on hand. Many of you probably know herbal remedies to treat symptoms and I would be interested in what you recommend.
Eucalyptus and menthol are good at combating mild breathing difficulties- they open the sinus and lungs. Vaporubs and "halls" like cough drops are good. Mint and citrus essential oils in a diffuser or vaporizer are good. I've heard turmeric and ginco also help with lung issues. I've cooked with turmeric, and find it undetectable as far as my tastebuds and gastrointestinal tract goes. It does make food more yellow/orange.
Ginger root is great for stomach problems. Add it to soups, tea, get the pickled version (think sushi) and eat it. Yes, they sell the pickled version- talk to your friendly grocery clerk. I wouldn't advise eating it raw, but maybe that's just me.
Certainly have a fever reducer on hand and mucinex has saved me from many a sinus infection - the super meth ingredient version you have to register for is not necessary unless you're already too far gone. If any of these methods don't help within a week, contact a health line for further instructions - then decide if those instructions work for you.
And please - if you have a fever (unexplained chills or feeling overheated) dry cough (not having flem come up in your throat when you cough, or feeling like there is something you need to spit out after a coughing bout) lung congestion (can't get a normal full breath or feeling like your chest is on fire when you breathe) take as much time as you can to keep out of your normal daily life. I get that many feel they can't call in sick for a variety of reasons from personal "duty" to a very real need to be paid so they can pay bills.
Now is the time to call in sick with these symptoms. In doing so, you're putting on your oxygen mask first for all of humanity.
How to clean your hands:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
For more info, including the science behind hand-washing, go here. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html
Big hugs... at my age I have had many come and go in my life... each..as special ...each took a piece of my heart.. and left me a piece of theirs. To paraphrase the lovely poem by unknown author..." “It came to me that every time I lose a pet they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new pet who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be pets, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”
My heart is made up of horses,goats,cows,chickens,squirrels,wild song birds I rehabbed, a fawn I rehabbed,dogs,cats and a raccoon and an opposum. :-) Hmmm.. perhaps that is why I love animals much more than people. ;-)
When your heart is ready... those who went ahead of you..will send the right one to you. Promise.
@luminata and @bluebelle, Thanks for your recommendations. Something both my husband and I like are Olbas Pastilles Herbal Cough Drops. Besides helping with our coughs, it really helps to open our sinuses and soothes our sore throats. The cough suppressant in it is primarily Menthol, and it also contains clove oil, eucalyptus oil, juniper berry oil, and wintergreen oil.
I also use the Olbas aromatherapy and massage oil. You can inhale in it a tissue, vaporizer, or add it to a bowl of hot water to steam your sinuses. I purchased both online, but I saw that Whole Foods also carries it.
@luminata, you mentioned Mucinex, which I've taken in the past -- do you know if it only thins mucus in the chest, or does it also work on head congestion?
I love fresh ginger root -- I add it to freshly squeezed lemon juice, and/or tea. I also love curcumin/turmeric as an anti-inflammatory, but never knew until recently that it's also an anti-viral. I'd be curious to know about the maximum safe dosing.
Something that my integrative doctor highly recommended for my seasonal allergies is D-Hist. I love that stuff. I'm recovering well from the flu symptoms but still have some head congestion, so I decided to try taking D-Hist now, and surprisingly, it's helping to drain my head. D-Hist contains a combination of Vitamin C, Quercetin Dihydrate, Stinging Nettle, Bromelain, and NAC. I purchase mine online.
If I'm not too clogged in the sinuses, I irrigate with warm purified water, sea salt and 1/2 tsp. Xylitol. I also like XClear Nasal Spray. The spray contains water, Xylitol, Saline, Aloe Vera, and Grapefruit Seed Extract. Grapefruit seed extract is supposed to be a natural antibacterial, although it's listed last under the ingredients. XClear also has another one that contains all of those ingredients plus capsicum.
As I imagine many of you know, best to stay away from all dairy when you're in the middle of a respiratory bug. It creates too much mucus.
Bone broth soups are great.
I went to our local CVS in Northern Virginia and saw they were totally out of hand sanitizers, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide. Our grocery stores were also out of them. They still had a few Lysol and Clorox antibacterial wipes and sprays.
@triciact I saw the same article in The Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Israeli-scientists-In-three-weeks-we-will-have-coronavirus-vaccine-619101
Looks like it's getting very serious here in Washington: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/coronavirus-washington-state-nursing-home-lockdown
How to clean your hands:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
For more info, including the science behind hand-washing, go here. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html
was thinking that we should use a tissue or something to turn off the faucet, since we had turned it on w dirty hands? Also to open the bathroom door?
@unk-p Yes, or use your elbow to leverage things if possible. It’s a good idea to wipe down all of your house door knobs, faucets, remotes and other commonly handled devices routinely.
So this is not considered an official pandemic because...?
It is like popcorn popping right now. New cases are happening all over the world including Nigeria, Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia The Dominican Republic, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Algeria and the entire Middle East. Well, except for Saudi Arabia (I wonder how many they have and are just not reporting because there is no way they don't have any given what is happening around them).
New York reports first confirmed case.
Nike headquarters in Europe is closed after an employee was determined to have Covid-19.
A second case in Rhode Island.
Italy said confirmed infections had risen 40% in 24 hours to 1,576, with the death toll now at 34. In Germany the number of people infected had almost doubled to 129 on Sunday, while France’s total stood at 100 – up from 38 on Friday – nine of them in a serious condition.
Other than Slovakia, I don't think there is a place in Europe that doesn't have a confirmed case.
The spreading coronavirus epidemic shut down France’s Louvre Museum on Sunday, with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum’s flow of tourists from around the world.
In Israel, 3 more people have been diagnosed, this time from Italy connections. 2 were on a recent EL Al flight and the entire plane of people is now under quarantine. The third is an IDF soldier. 334 IDF soldiers have been quarantined for fears of having possibly contracted the virus, Israeli media reported. The majority of the soldiers were quarantined after returning from regions with major outbreaks.
Lots of troubles in Washington State
On Sunday night, the International Association of Fire Fighters said 25 members who responded to calls for help at the LifeCare nursing facility in Washington All three were from the LifeCare nursing facility in, where health officials said 50 people are sick and being tested for the virus.facility are being quarantined. Three are in now the hospital.
Also in Washington, researches have determined the virus could have spread in the state for almost six weeks. The two infections in Snohomish County shared a rare genetic variation, indicating they likely were related.
Mike Famulare, a principal research scientist at the Institute for Disease Modeling in Bellevue, Wa., conducted the analysis and said his “best guess, with broad uncertainty” is that between 150 and 1,500 people may have the virus, with the likely range being between 300 and 500 people, according to the New York Times. He said the patients have either been “infected and recovered” or are “infected now.”
I have another question?
How long do you think it will be before a city or county says a democratic candidate rally can't be held in a given location because it is too risky and will transmit more infections?
How will campaigning change in the near future? Empty town halls? Kinda defeats the purpose right?
How about sporting events in the US? When do those start getting canceled? Will they be played for tv to empty arenas? That has happened in a another country with soccer.