What Should I Do?

At this point, it seems that writing about anything other than COVID-19 is doing you, the reader, a disservice. But it also seems wrong to continue to talk about the topic you can’t escape hearing, talking, and thinking about, so I’m going to head back to reviewing research and health headlines next week.

For today, I’ve got some ideas about what you should be doing right now. We’re facing a new reality every time we step out our door. In fact, we may not be going out the door. It’s time to take control of those things we can control. But first, a slightly different view of what the next six months could be like.

A Solution Will Be Found

As you read this, someone is testing a new way of trying to treat the people who’ve acquired the COVID-19 virus. Someone else is trying to develop a faster way to test for the virus. For sure, there are many people working on a vaccine for the virus. That’s a logical order when you think about it. We need to be able to treat the people who have the disease now. Slow it down. Find a way to help the lungs resist the bacteria. It may be a drug approved for another purpose or it may be something brand new. That’s what we hope happens first. It will happen. We just want it to be sooner.

The ability to test for the virus quickly will be developed. When I say quickly, I mean a test that can be done to get the results in ten, five, or even two minutes, without using exotic metals or difficult-to-produce chemicals. One that can be performed at schools, restaurants, and especially at places of business. You get tested once in the morning in a drive-through center that takes a swab and get notified by cell phone with a code that says you’re virus free for that moment. It won’t be perfect, but it will bring back some semblance of normalcy. A new normalcy. At least for awhile.

Would a business want to develop that test? With mass production, it could drive the costs down. Would a place of business invest in that to protect workers? Or maybe the new reality will see some of the things we take for granted go away. Maybe more people will work remotely. As a teacher, I want to see your eyes to see whether you’re getting it or not, but maybe that won’t happen every time.

The vaccine will be made. Maybe it will finally force those who oppose vaccinations to take a hard look at why vaccinations should be a part of our lives. We’ll leave that fight for another day, and it’s one that will be waged.

A solution will be found for each area.

But What Should I Do Today?

As the virus moves on, we’re being asked to avoid human contact, which is really the only way to stop the spread of the virus. We should be hunkering down, if we are non-essential personnel, in our homes. I guess the next question is what do we do with all of this time?

Start tracking your temperature every day. Just as I recommend for blood pressure, start taking the temperature of everyone in the house every morning to establish a baseline. When it starts to deviate, check it more often. This is one of the key signs of the virus, so track your temperature every day.

Disinfect the main touchable surfaces in your home as often as reasonable but especially after you or another family member get home from a visit outside the home. I was fortunate—I had a quart of isopropyl alcohol. I saturate a paper towel and I wipe every door handle, the refrigerator handle, light switches, faucets, and finally the flushing handle in every bathroom. It takes about five minutes because you can let it air dry.

We’re all relying even more on electronics, so clean the surfaces you touch all the time: your phone, keyboard, mice, tablet, and remotes. (Follow special instructions for cleaning your screens.)

Finally, start working on really boosting your immune system. Get more sleep. Eat more vegetables and fruit. Start walking more every day; you can find exercise ideas on drchet.com and many other websites, and even DIY exercise equipment. Your immune system isn’t determined by taking a few supplements, although they can help; it’s determined by the lifestyle you live. Your normal routine is gone anyway, so start changing your lifestyle now.

The Bottom Line

Life as we’ve been living it has changed, and we will end up in a new normal. Take the time you have now and get your body prepared for it. That’s what you should be doing right now. Your body. Your choice.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet