Pandemic Self protocol - The average man's Options

 

The internet is plush with articles , blogs , knowledge articles , websites and what not running content on the pandemic from dispelling rumors to finding its root cause , from discussing about its symptoms and cures , statistics and theories etc to such an extent that some of us mentally blocked out all this data. We turn our eyes from any article that talks about the C-19,C-20,C-21 strain . The covid virus has been continuing like a series of its own , with each new year bringing in fresh drama ever since it all started. But , I request you to read further with the promise that this is not yet another boring piece of information. Care to pursue reading further. This article has been written under Indian contexts , but if these methods are possible to be followed in your place you can certainly try them and benefit out of it. 

What can we do in our daily lifestyle that will contribute towards our well being ?

To start off things - Let's try answering these questions :

1. Do you get some exercise , physical activity ?

2. Are you obese ?

3. Are you spice and garlic tolerant ?

4. Do you smoke/drink ?

5. Do you take any medications ?

6. Are you a cardiac patient or suffer from asthma ?

7. Have you suffered from any viral/bacterial diseases before like chicken pox, dengue, malaria , tb , typhoid, jaundice ?

8. Are you a vegetarian or non-vegetarian ?

9. Do you get frequent headaches/ migraines/ common colds ?

These questions are self explanatory, so let me get to the point. Those with pre-existing conditions need to advise utmost caution and care, so be absolutely well prepared. See, the human body has it's own army of infection fighting soldiers( let's skip the medical jargons for simplicity) . These soldiers are used to fighting off the expected visitors. A person who has gone through #7 mentioned diseases would have trained their body to respond, react to such germs . But this Covid strain is something that appears to be over all these germs, it has found a novel way to enter and stealthily cause trouble from within. It has great potential to remain unnoticed both within and outside the human body, on non living items and even use the air we breathe as a magic carpet. So, a body that has gone through an existing viral attack will only use the existing protocol to fight off Covid, but its sporadic capacity to defend itself is what makes it tough. Each person's army is putting up a different battle , some win with little effort and unfortunately many succumb. While the cures that are being promoted around are being followed with desperation, even before we succumb to the attack, we can do some preparation to fight from a higher ground. You can train, add muscle to your army in good hopes that there won't be any immediate malefic effects on our systems.  

Spice The right way !

Once we get up in the morning, there is an option to take few speckles of crystal salt along with 5-7 balls of pepper , nicely grind and chew them and swallow in an empty stomach. Pepper is an efficacious compound. After 30 minutes, we can drink any medicated water like one described in next para. In this time, it is advisable if we can get some exercise like power walking, cardio activities like jogging, running, stretching, skipping, surya namaskar etc to get the blood pumping through the veins. After a brief break, we can have our morning cuppa coffee or tea with sugar in moderation. It is advisable to go for jaggery powder or healthier forms of jaggery instead of processed sugar.

While the Indian palette largely operates around spices such as turmeric, pepper, cumin, chilly , the regular and combined use of these compounds indeed greatly help us. Drinking medicated water laced with black pepper, turmeric , cinnamon powder and elaichi , with a hint of honey, for brief intervals is one way to go. We should not consistently drink this as well, as the body goes numb to its absorption. So, drink for a week, give a break of 3 days and resume . The body recognizes these helpful agents only when they are administered properly. Turmeric, as much helpful it is, should be taken with caution due to it's powerful effects. 

Even sniffing Elaichi , Clove tied within a cloth at regular intervals or during travel are suggested for cleaner respiratory tracts. Having Kadukka (Haritaki) powder daily after food mixed in lukewarm water is also known to impact positively on our overall health and vitality. 

Alpinia officinarum (சிற்றரத்தை) - It is very effective for treatment of cold and cough. Regular intake of Sitharathai during a cold can easily make the phlegm come out and help you to free from chest congestion. It is also used for stomach complaints. We can place small quantity under our tongue , keep salivating and swallowing the spicy juice. It acts with an instant hot effect on throat. 

Obesity Issues 

Eat in moderation during the day, for your breakfast, lunch, dinner as these days we don't have the luxury of burning calories by going out and pumping iron. We tend to stay indoors more and our body doesn't need the same amount of food we were consuming three years ago. We in fact should consume with a deficit of 500 calories and alter it , in case we feel tired. Go for smaller portions, less carbs and more of proteins and required healthy fats. Meat, rice, milk fats  in moderation  is recommended . So many of us have fallen prey to obesity, fat around waist and overall fat layering. Sometimes the stress of things and the lack of choices due to the mundane new routine that we are going through pushes us to do snacking and raiding the kitchen/ fridge looking for mood lightening junk foods. If you have already gained weight, please consider getting adequate exercise and restructuring your daily intake of food.

The Power Soldiers - Vit-C, Zinc and Iron 

While Zinc and Iron is being popularized widely as add-ons for our good health and immunity, you can get this from natural sources by eating right. Marry your foods correctly and don't just gulp them all in , as each food needs to be absorbed correctly. For eg, Vit-D and zinc, etc. Time and eat right by doing research based on what you eat through the day. We see government officials handing out Iron ( ferrous sulphate folic acid ) and Zinc based tablets to be consumed at night and morning respectively after food. These compounds in general appear to be more effective when amply available in the body. Keeping yourself adequately hydrated is equally important, as the body needs enough lubrication to transport all the incoming agents of healthy compounds. 

If you can tolerate the bitterness of amla or indian gooseberry, you can mash and squeeze an amla and drink with water for a period of 7 days with a break of 3 days and repeat again. Vitamin-C amps up the immune system and amla is a promising provider. Some people tend to react negatively to amla, so you be the judge of it for yourself on its consumption. There is always an option of buying strips of Vit-C from pharmacies available , but take the right dosage by consulting a professional considering your own body type, nature and lifestyle including any drugs that you already take. Another easiest source of vitamin c that can be taken right away before covid, during covid and post covid is a decoction of lemon with ginger and honey mixed in lukewarm water. 

Clean and Clear the Saline Alcohol Way !

Gargle with crystal salt and moderate lukewarm water if you go out to controversial places, or crowded places . Gargling crystal salt mixed hot water disinfects the throat area . To say the least, it disables the germs and ultimately either it gets it spit out or it goes into the stomach where the HCL acid squashes it out. Keep adequate quantity of hand washes, alcohol based cleaning agents for the body and the premises. Keep a separate floor cleaner for the space in front of your main door where we keep all the sandals and shoes. Once in a while, wash and clean using Dettol/Savlon the footwear you use. Breath in steam with eucalyptus oil and turmeric if you show symptoms in earlier stages. If needed you can use those green colored vapor capsules to amplify your steam but not too much. Have few pieces of fried or steamed garlic regularly in your diet as garlic has health and immunity boosting capabilities. Have a bottle of Betadine solution handy to mix in the water you use for taking bath . If you are a shower person , you can still sprinkle few drops and thoroughly rinse yourself. There are also laundry sanitizers available in the market to disinfect and clean our clothes. 

Of-course, wear good quality well layered masks , gloves when in public. Keep a thermometer handy with you, its available in affordable prices in many pharmacies. 

Incase you show symptoms, you can of course try the basic protocol, but don't delay the care and treatment you deserve out of fear. Consuming cough syrups, paracetomol tablets and pain killers don't exactly kill or disable the virus. You just temporarily mute the symptoms. Genuinely use your best judgement and reach out to health care professional and isolate yourself. Everyone's well being is everyone's responsibility. 

Financially, plan your expenditure and liquid funds appropriately. Treating a person or family with Covid has become a very expensive affair and we need to treasure every penny and dollar we have . Sit as a family and prepare for the worst. Delay bulk investments, luxury trips and other big plans if they can be , to act as a shock absorber financially if you run into the treatment mode. 

We can take these precautions , prepare ourselves . People of faith, can seek divine aid and guidance. All of us are blessed with good hearts, let us at least spread correct information, supply needy with essentials such as masks and tablets, sanitizers, help our leaders keep the society running in and out. This is not a time for hatred, or gaining fame by projecting our religious/caste/community/ political ideologies. We need to win this as a race.