Coronavirus Update and Prevention

Ok, so by now we have heard so much about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and many of us are completely freaked out, but is it as bad as it seems?  The fast spread of the coronavirus has prompted global alarm, with some states closing their borders, airlines suspending flights and some governments barring entry to those who have recently been to Wuhan as it is thought to originate there in late December.  The virus has since been detected in more than two dozen countries, has infected at least 74,000 people and killed over 2,000 in mainland China.  According to the Chinese CCDC, as of February 11^th, and published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, found that the risk of death increases the older you are.  They published the following ages of deaths from the coronavirus:

To date, approximately 3,000 people have died from the coronavirus worldwide.  So, considering the virus is spreading around the world, just how dangerous is the coronavirus and how worried should we be?  The simple answer is that they do not know enough yet and will not know until more data becomes available.  But, putting the coronavirus aside, lets look at some other statistics on the seasonal flu around the world:

The seasonal flu kills 291,000 to 646,000 people worldwide each year.  These figures come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other groups and were published in The Lancet Medical Journal on Dec 13^th.   The updated numbers, which do not include deaths during flu pandemics, are based on more recent data from a larger and more diverse group of countries than the previous estimate, according to the CDC.  The data comes from 33 countries that have 57% of the world’s population and had seasonal flu numbers for a minimum of 4 years between 1999 and 2015.  That information was used to create an estimate of flu-related respiratory deaths in 185 countries worldwide.  The study found that the risk of flu-related death was highest in the poorest regions of the world and again, among older adults.

Influenza is a viral infection.  More commonly called the flu, this disease’s symptoms range from mild to severe.  The flu can cause hospitalization or even death for people who are already frail but not so much for the healthy individual.  Healthy people can be infected by the flu virus and transmit it to others but young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of suffering serious complications from the flu.  The bottom line is that the flu is never going to go away, no matter what type of virus is affecting us from year to year.  The key is to keep your body healthy and strong so it can fight off the virus should it enter your body.

Some interesting tid-bits for you to ponder:

* This coronavirus (COVID-19) is contagious, but so far, it’s not as deadly as other outbreaks.  In China, more than ¾ of the cases have been classified as mild.  Symptoms include low-grade fever and cough.  Some people also experience fatigue, headaches and, less frequently, diarrhea.

* Overall, the death rate in China is estimated at 2%, and the average age of death among those with COVID-19 is in the 70’s.  People with underlying medical problems, and particularly smokers seem to be at higher risk.

* Compared to prior outbreaks of novel viruses, this coronavirus appears less deadly than other human coronaviruses that have spread in recent years.  For instance, the death rate was about 34% MERS and about 10% for SARS.

Here is a list of things you can do to help you to ward off those nasty bugs:

Olive Leaf:  This is my favorite product for colds, flus and any infection.  Olive leaf is anti-microbial, meaning that it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal etc., and it boosts the production of antibodies, natural killer cells and all of the soldiers of the body.  You can get olive leaf in a tincture or liquid and capsules.  You can take one capsule every day to keep your immune system strong and defending you against nasty germs.  Note:  Oil of Oregano has very similar properties.

Probiotics:  Probiotics are the friendly helpful bacteria that naturally occur in our guts. They protect our digestive tracts, help us to digest food, assist in toxin clearance, and shield us from invading bacteria and viruses. When this bacterial balance becomes disrupted, we can see changes in one’s ability to fend off infections.  You can also make sure to get foods in your diet that contain good bacteria such as yogurt, kefir (tasty yogurt drink), sauerkraut, miso, and other fermented foods.

Berries:  Berries are full of antioxidants, which help your body fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals.  This helps keep our immune system fighting! There are many different berries you should try to include in your diet:  strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries, to name a few.  Don’t worry; when berries aren’t in season frozen berries are just as nutritious.  Add the berries to your yogurt for a tasty snack.

Omega 3 Fats:  Not only are these fats essential for developing brains, they also reduce inflammation, which increases airflow and protects the lungs from colds and respiratory infections.  The latest research also indicates that these fatty acids may boost your immune system by enhancing the function of immune cells.  Liquid omega’s now come in so many different flavors such as cotton candy, maple syrup and berry flavors or you can get them in capsule form.

Other foods that pack loads of antioxidants are: broccoli, spinach (and other dark leaf veggies), nuts and seeds, and fruit, to name a few.

Mushrooms are a great comprehensive immune support such as Reishi, Mitake, Shiitake, Turkey Tail etc.  I personally take mushrooms every day to keep my immune system strong and to also fight cancer.  There are many brands available and many with a combination of mushrooms.  If you are interested in learning more about mushrooms and how it fights cancer, I suggest that you watch this video:  Click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjkzfeJz66o   Dr Li talks about this in detail.  It’s really quite fascinating and hopefully you will want to share this with your friends.  He lists foods that are natural anti-angiogenesis foods.

Also, it is vital that you:

• Wash your hands frequently (with soap), especially when in public places and when you get home
• DO NOT touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is where the virus will enter your body
• Drink plenty of water
• Stay away from anyone who is sick
• Be sure to cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze