COVID-19 Precautions
We wanted to update you on everything we are doing in response to the current situation with the coronavirus as well as remind you of some important ways of keeping yourself well.
Mandatory hand sanitizer at the front door
Please stay home if you are feeling any symptoms of the flu or think you may have been exposed
Cover coughs and sneezes
Frequent hand washing over > 20 seconds with vigorous rubbing
Use of antimicrobial essential oils (such as Thieves, OnGuard, mixes of clove, cinnamon, rosemary and tea tree, frankincense and oregano) in all air diffusers
Functional medicine appointments can be done via telemedicine or over the phone
On top of these precautions, we'd like to encourage everyone to maintain some sort of immune supportive therapies, including vitamins C and A, and antivirals such as andrographis or combo formulas such as ColdQuell (from Blue Poppy). Herb and immune supporting nutrients are very potent tools to both prevent and fight viral (and bacterial) infections.
We have limited stock and are awaiting fresh shipments. These are all available on FullScript, though currently, most products are back ordered. We recommend you order now to get them as soon as possible, or source them in your community. Ellwood Thompson's Natural Market in Cary Town still has these in stock at last check.
Please stay home and practice social distancing, not only to protect yourself, but anyone else whom you might meet in the next 2-3 weeks of incubation period of the virus, especially those over 65 and the immunocompromised. Last, after talking with an epidemiologist, the real worry with coronavirus is that it is an unknown and our lack of preparation for large numbers of people getting the flu, rather than fear of deaths.
The CDC states:
"The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully known. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. While information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a report external icon out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions — like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example — seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness...."
The definition of a pandemic: "A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide."
Risk of exposure: "The immediate risk of being exposed to this virus is still low for most Americans, but as the outbreak expands, that risk will increase. Cases of COVID-19 and instances of community spread are being reported in a growing number of states."
The main concern, as we know it so far, isn't around imminent death if you get the virus, but the tax to our health care and other infrastructure: "Widespread transmission of COVID-19 could translate into large numbers of people needing medical care at the same time. Schools, childcare centers, and workplaces, may experience more absenteeism. Mass gatherings may be sparsely attended or postponed. Public health and healthcare systems may become overloaded, with elevated rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Other critical infrastructure, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, and sectors of the transportation industry may also be affected. Healthcare providers and hospitals may be overwhelmed."
So please, take every precaution and follow CDC and other government regulations and your physicians tell you. However, try not to worry as much about this meaning death for you. For most of us, it will be a flu, so practice regular flu-care, including lots of fluids and rest (and the anti-viral/immune boosting protocol here). We will continue to update and monitor the situation and do our best to provide care and safety for our community!
Very best,
Tressa and the InHealthRVA Team