12/10/2020
THE WELL
THE COVID-19 BRIEF
Why Viruses Spread More Easily in Winter
Beyond the obvious reason — we tend to spend more time indoors, where ventilation is poor and we’re in closer proximity to people — here are other reasons viruses (presumably, the novel coronavirus included) spread more easily in colder weather:
The Air Outside is Less Humid
Quick meteorology lesson: Viruses stay stable and linger for longer when the air is less humid. There isn’t anything that can be done about this fact, but it’s good to be aware of it. You can, however, increase the moisture indoors by using a humidifier. Just be sure to monitor the level of humidity and to properly clean your device.
Nasal Membranes Are Drier
You know the feeling — the inside of your nose (along with the rest of your body) feels dry and cracked. These cracks make you more vulnerable to infection. Staying hydrated and using a saline nasal spray can help.
Other Illnesses Cause Coughing and Sneezing
As cruel as it sounds, it’s possible to have co-infections of COVID-19 and say, the seasonal flu. So even if a person has an asymptomatic case of COVID-19, another infection may cause the coughing and sneezing that is known to increase the spread of the coronavirus.
To learn how the coronavirus really spreads indoors, read this. And for supplements that help keep your immune system functioning at its best, check these out.
Mask Fatigue and the Need for Vigilance
An outcropping of crisis fatigue is mask fatigue. As the pandemic wears on, experts say it’s getting harder for some people to comply with the safety rules needed to get the spread under control.
But with nearly 15 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 282,312 (and counting) dead Americans, it’s imperative to remain vigilant when it comes to precautionary measures. On a briefing call attended by THE WELL Editorial Director Michele Promaulayko, Dr. Vanessa Kerry, a critical care physician and CEO of Seed Global Health, was emphatic: “I cannot underscore enough the importance of a mask — a mask is life saving. I have been one foot away from COVID-positive patients breathing on me, and I have not contracted it. A mask matters immensely.”
Dr. Kerry went on to give these additional safety tips:
“Don’t wear gloves, honestly, because it gives you a false sense of security — just use your hands and wash them when you get home.”
“If you do need to fly, wear eye protection, a mask and minimize the time the mask is down — eat a protein bar, then put up your mask immediately after you take a bite while you chew. There are studies on how air circulates on airplanes, it goes in a downward direction which reduces the transmission between rows as well."
"When you arrive at your destination, change your clothes and take a shower to minimize the risk. COVID does live on the skin for up to six to nine hours and can live on surfaces. It’s been shown to live on plastic for up to 72 hours and on cardboard and paper for 24 hours.”
“Don’t eat indoors with people outside of your household — that is a major scientifically-proven mechanism of transmission. If you are sitting across the table from someone, you can still transmit it, so please be thoughtful about those things.”
We Can All Use it — Some Good News
Walmart, Sam's Club Begin Selling At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits Online
Arkansas Woman Turns 106 After Beating COVID-19
Physicist Uses a Cotton Candy Machine to Make Respirator Filters for N95 Masks Cheaper
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