- Avoid close contact – practice appropriate social distancing from those who might be contagious.
- Use face masks to cover mouth and nose – if leaving the house to be indoors and in close proximity of others (I.E.: supermarkets, pharmacies, visiting a neighbor’s home, etc). Not necessary if out for a walk, etc and no one else is within 6 feet.
- Decontaminate from the outside like an ICU nurse – don’t forget to change your clothes and wash up before embracing loved ones. Clean cell phones regularly and sterilize masks if possible.
- Clean well and often like a surgeon – including special attention to hands and fingernails, and aggressively rinse out your sinuses and nasal passage with saline- both common locations for infections- and consider the bathroom as an underappreciated refuge for the virus.
- Avoid the use of unnecessary medications that might be more harmful than helpful, if possible (I.E.: NSAIDs like ibuprofen and corticosteroids like Prednisone).
- Consider the off-label use of medications that are usually safe and probably effective – only if there are no contraindications and must be in conjunction with a doctor. Many past and current studies have shown the probable effectiveness of some medications for treating early COVID. Those with a long track record of safety and broad use will be of value.
- Aggressive testing when available – including both DNA testing to rule out acute infection and Antibody testing to see if one may be immune with past exposure.
- Go outside! – get outdoors often with plenty of sunlight, especially in the morning to improve circadian rhythm and increase melatonin.
- Rest! – get quality sleep as often as possible, including naps if able, preferably in a very dark room.
- Increase core body temp – through exercise, sauna, steam hot bath, etc, to reduce stress and possibly improve the immune system response to infections through hyperthermia. (see: James DiNicolantonio and Dr. Seheult)
- Protect yourself – maintain optimal nutrition with attention to adequate protein (aim for .5 grams/lb of weight daily) especially in the elderly, observance of fasting, and the use of natural products and nutraceuticals based on significant research and experience for immune support during this shift in your normal routine.
- Engage in ASCESIS – a Greek spiritual term related to the exercise of discipline and spiritual training and combat. Through regular prayer, meditation, mindfulness, fasting, and other spiritual exercises one can awaken from the ‘sleep-walk’ of daily life to fully engage in a lived wisdom. (per Olivier Clement)
