Lessons on Disease from an Immuno-compromised Germaphobe

With hysteria from Covid-19 in full swing, I find myself full of anxiety, anger, sadness and a whole range of other emotions. This is an extremely traumatic moment in our history and it makes sense to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Watching the world fall into disarray before our eyes is intense and scary. We are seeing the effects of environmental degradation in real time. This type of catastrophic disease (or wildfire, or hurricane, or famine, or water contamination event etc.) is only going to increase in frequency and severity over time. There is no silver lining. The experiences will be traumatic and tragic. A lot of people will lose their homes, fall ill, and die. Unfortunately, many of the people who are victims will not be the same people who caused the problems. Corporations and the wealthiest among us will experience less of the effects of these global catastrophes. It's not fair but it is what will happen.

If you learn anything from this experience, let it be that we are not prepared for the disasters yet to come. The government is failing to provide the services people need, many are without jobs, resources are being hoarded, and healthcare is inaccessible. Capitalism is failing us.

Let this moment radicalize you. This is why we need public healthcare, benefits for workers, affordable housing. This is why we need a government that supports our wellbeing rather than injecting trillions of dollars into the collapsing stock market while claiming that paid sick leave is too expensive.

Do not forget this moment. In case you were not yet convinced, you need to learn to grow your own food. Survival skills will become increasingly important. Take a first aid course. Learn about emergency preparedness. If we are going to survive these tumultuous times, we need people who can thrive off the grid. We need healers, educators, cooks, farmers, builders, potters, clothing makers, engineers, artists, and storytellers. Harness the fear you feel now to build a life that nourishes you and your community. Advocate for disability rights. Vote for politicians who support medicare for all. Learn a new skill that will help to sustain you.

Remember the serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr: “may I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”

As someone with multiple chronic health conditions and autoimmune disease, this sentiment guides my daily life. The current feelings of anxiety are just more dramatic versions of the fear I constantly experience. I have to be extremely cautious of any kind of sickness. The sense of danger in public spaces is not new for me and it shouldn’t be for you either.

Contagions show us how interconnected we really are. The majority of the trillions of cells comprising the human body, are microbes. Human cells are outnumbered by non-human cells. People are walking, breathing ecosystems of viruses, bacteria and fungi living symbiotically with our human form. When you have contact with another person, even just sharing a conversation in close distance, you are exchanging billions of microbes with each other. I think people finally understand the reality of this now, but it has always been true.

A healthy human body is equipped to manage these microbial fluctuations. Your microbiome is constantly self regulating. That being said, it is important to prevent unnecessary sharing of germs to keep your microbial community in good shape. This is especially true so that vulnerable people, (like elderly folks, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and those with underlying health issues) are not exposed to dangerous pathogens. Even if a particular virus does not have a big impact on you, by carrying that virus around, other people who are more sensitive can be infected.

For my friends who are nonchalant about washing hands, and make statements about germs strengthening your immune system, hopefully you now understand why that is not true for everyone. Hopefully you now understand why I asked you to wash your hands before helping me cook. Please don’t give anyone a hard time about making that request in the future. In order to protect those sensitive communities, we have to all adopt preventative measures. For this reason, it is incredibly important that we adhere to instructions about self isolation and social distancing, even if you are not part of an at-risk population.

The concept of social distancing is not new for those of us living with disabilities. Avoiding crowds and asking people who share space with you to be hygienic has been common practice long before this coronavirus came around.

My frustration with the current health advisories is that they are so commonsensical. I am shocked and disappointed that people weren't doing these things before. You should always wash your hands for 30 seconds, not just when the threat of a pandemic is looming. You should always wash your hands before you prepare food for anyone, yourself included. You should always avoid touching your face unless your hands are clean. You should always give people ample physical space in public environments.

In case you need a more direct reminder, here are my tips for protecting yourselves and others from the spread of disease.

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
Follow these steps: wet hands, turn off water, use soap, lather for 30+ seconds, cover every part of your hands and wrists with suds (don’t forget your nails!), turn on warm water with your elbow, rinse well and rub your hands together while you do it, turn off water with your elbow, use a clean towel to dry.
Use non-toxic soap if you can! Dr. Bronner’s works amazingly well and is completely biodegradable and good for your skin. Many other soaps contain dangerous chemicals that can be detrimental to other aspects of your health while they clean.
Times to wash:
Before you: Cook, eat, put clean dishes away, touch your face, brush your teeth, make your bed etc. (this is not an extensive list!)
After you: Use the bathroom, take out the trash, sneeze/cough, garden, are in a public place, handle money, clean your house, etc. (this is not an extensive list!)
Keep surfaces clean.
Sanitize often. Use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or diluted bleach to sanitize countertops, tables and any other surfaces in your house. Don’t forget phones/computers, TV remotes, light switches, door knobs, cabinet handles and anything else that is touched often.
Remove shoes before entering your house. Vacuum and mop your floors.
Cover your cough! Not with your hands!
Cough/sneeze into your elbow like this:
Don’t get so close to everyone!
I’m looking at you grocery line lurkers! There is no reason to be breathing down someone’s neck! We know you are next in line even when you stand an arm's length away.
Say hello by waving or fist pumping instead of shaking hands or hugging.
Shower at the end of the day. And wash your linens once a week.
It’s good practice to get clean before you get into your bed. Especially if you have been out and about in public places.
Soap up your whole body - yes, I mean your feet too.
Clean your towels and your bed sheets a lot. Especially the hand towels that your guests are sharing with you.
Take good care of your body and especially your immune system.
Plants are your allies! Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Avoid processed foods and refined sugar. (See full list below)
Make sure you get enough rest and reduce stress/anxiety.
Meditate, go for a walk outside, video chat with loved ones, practice yoga at home, play music, watch a funny movie, do arts & crafts, sleep, turn your phone off, do something that feels good and makes you happy!
Trust the CDC, WHO and other medical institutions for information about coronavirus. DO NOT listen to the fear mongering on the news. The information is not always accurate and the anxiety they promote is not productive. Remember that their job is to sell papers not prevent disease.

Remember that diseases like these are not new and this will certainly not be the last. Please be cautious and also manage anxiety. Follow these basic hygiene and wellness practices ALWAYS! These habits should be employed ALL THE TIME, do not forget them once the threat of Covid-19 has settled.

Below is a list of helpful herbal medicines and recipes I use to make my own non-toxic but very effective cleaning products.

Be well!

Margot

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Antiviral Herbs:

Oregano

Thyme

Rosemary

Garlic

Echinacea

Elderberry

Astragalus

Olive leaf

Ginger

Cat's claw

Chaga

Calendula

Pau d arco

Siberiean ginseng

Reishi

St John's wort

Lemon

Herbs for lung health:

Licorice

Eucalyptus

Peppermint

Lobelia

Sage

Mullein

Quercetin (not an herb but still beneficial)

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) (not an herb but still beneficial)

Herbs for anxiety and stress:

Passion Flower

California Poppy

Lemon Balm

Chamomile

Lavender

Ashwagandha

Tulsi

Kava

Other natural remedies for immunity:

Vitamin D (get outside!)

Vitamin C

Zinc

Probiotics (ideally from fermented foods, but capsules will work too)

Colloidal silver

Diffuse essential oils (Thyme, Tea tree, Clove, Oregano, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, Sage, really any oils you have!)

Take a hot bath

Avoid processed foods and refined sugar (enjoy some raw honey instead)

Stay hydrated

** This is not an extensive list!

** There is a lot of overlap and many of these herbs offer a whole host of health benefits

** Most of these herbs are best consumed as tea in order to achieve the most medicinal benefits with the least potential side effects. Tinctures may also be useful and easily accessible.

** Plants are complicated and people have a huge amount of bio-individuality. Not everyone will react the same. Consult your doctor, trust your intuition, and always start with very small doses.

*** This list is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered official medical advice!

Please consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any new medicines (herbal or otherwise)

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RECIPES

DIY Vinegar Surface Cleaner: