Wash your hands
Last week I saw a video of the UK leader, Boris Johnson, demonstrating how to wash hands properly. He timed it by singing “God Save the Queen” for at least 20 seconds. Depending on your musical tastes and state of mind, you might sing “Happy Birthday,” or “Stairway to Heaven.” But do it and frequently. Do not transmit the coronavirus.
Last week I also saw President Trump shaking hands with numerous CEOs as he announced a national emergency from the White House
Rose Garden. This was not the behavior I had hoped the president would model for the nation. Elbow bumps, the “Namaste” greeting of folding one’s hands as in prayer, or the foot tap, also known as the “Wuhan shake” are all alternatives to the handshake to prevent spreading COVID-19.
If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. It’s always helpful to have people challenge your information. A friend stated that the coronavirus would not be killed by sanitizer, and this led me to go on- line and check the Centers for Disease Control website. You should too: www.cdc.gov. It’s one of the best sources of dos and don’ts during the Coronavirus.
The CDC recommends that hand sanitizers contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Forget about making homemade sanitizer with tequila. There isn’t enough alcohol content, and you won’t be able to make margaritas at home. I’m carrying sanitizer in my jeans pocket when I go out, and I have some in the glove compartment as well. I’m wearing disposable plastic gloves when I go shopping but not a mask.
Why gloves? Surfaces are a problem for transmission. Face masks are useful to keep others from catching the virus if you are positive, but they are poor at preventing a healthy person from inhaling microbes. Distance is our best protection. And spacing of 6 feet is recommended. I went to a small meeting in El Centro Saturday night, and I was impressed that people respected each other’s space when the norm has been lots of handshakes and hugging.
We need to put abrazos on hold till we get through this thing. This virus is unique and deadly, and new behaviors are necessary. I was disheartened Sunday morning when I read in this newspaper that a local person was dismissing this virus’ virility, stating that more people die from the flu each winter. One need only look at China, Italy and other countries to see the incredible aggression of this novel virus. It is being compared to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that killed approximately 675,000 Americans. Our medical science and means of communication are certainly better than they were a hundred years ago, but the paucity of leadership at the national level is disturbing. The virus cannot be tracked or controlled without massive testing, which is not presently available.
We have seen much better leadership at the state and local levels. The governors of Washington state, New York and California are to be commended for their focus on preparation and public health education.
In a recent column, “Pandemics Kill Compassion, Too,” David Brooks examines the impact of historical mass viral infections on people’s humanity. The score card is bleak, and, unfortunately, understandably so. People retreat to save themselves. Community minded volunteers disappear. So in this challenging time don’t hoard and deprive others of goods. And importantly, check on your neighbor especially if he or she is elderly. Ask if they need anything from the store or assistance with day to day chores. Gov. Newsom has advised seniors to isolate so ask if you can run an errand for them.
This too will pass, and it will pass sooner if we educate ourselves about healthy behavior in time of a pandemic.
Wash your hands, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Richard Ryan is at rryan@sdsu.edu