Go, My people, come into your chambers and close your door about you; hide for but a moment, until the wrath passes (Isaiah 26:20)

לֵ֚ךְ עַמִּי֙ בֹּ֣א בַֽחֲדָרֶ֔יךָ וּֽסְגֹ֥ר דְּלָֽתְיךָ֖ בַּֽעֲדֶ֑ךָ
חֲבִ֥י כִמְעַט־רֶ֖גַע עַד־יַֽעֲבָר־ זָֽעַם: 

Social Distancing

There is no question about it, that staying away from crowds of people, especially where there are sick people, is the best protection against catching contagious diseases like COVID-19. Also, the more that people stick to the social distancing guidelines, the faster we will be able to go back to our normal lives and routines.

Like to go Shopping – Shop Online

The more we shop online the less people we will come in contact with. Also, there are many bargains to be found online with lower prices than are found in shops. Just make sure to order from within your country rather than from overseas. Besides ordering food online from supermarkets, many other items can be bought online such as:

  • Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical items
  • Computers, printers, computer mice, iPhones, smartphones, etc.
  • Shoes
  • Clothing
  • Hardware
  • Household items
  • Small and large electrical appliances
  • Books
  • Pet food and supplies
  • Furniture
  • Gardening items including tool sheds

SonoMasks

It just so happens that an Israeli startup company called Sonovia has developed a breathable, washable anti-viral mask which has been shown to be able to stop 99% of COVID-19. SonoMasks are being marketed to hospitals and medical workers in Germany, the United States and now the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Made of cotton and polyester and coated with zinc oxide nano particles, the SonoMask can be washed about 50 times without losing its anti-viral and anti-microbial activity. SonoMasks come in both white and black colors and in sizes for men women and children. SonoMasks are also being sold to the general public and may be bought online.

If everyone wore this kind of mask, it is possible that the rate of new infections from COVID-19 would slow down or stop. While the SonoMask seems a bit expensive, in the long run it is less costly, especially to the environment as it is re-usable.

Wrap-around Sunglasses or Plastic Face Shield

One of the reasons a mask cannot be 100% effective is because COVID-19 can also be contracted through the eyes. Children and people with pink eye were discovered to have COVID-19. Wearing wrap-around sun glasses or a face shield can help to prevent this.

Sanitize your Shoes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Research has shown that the coronavirus can be transmitted by shoes, especially in hospitals. Sanitize the bottoms of your shoes before you enter your home. There are disinfectant sprays that are safe to use on the soles of your shoes. Do not use bleach or other caustic disinfectants as these can ruin your shoes.

Vitamin D

Research has shown that people who have low insufficient levels of Vitamin D may be at higher risk for being hospitalized with the coronavirus. An Israeli study published July 23, 2020 in the FEBS journal concluded that low blood levels of Vitamin D appear to be an independent risk factor for contracting and being hospitalized for COVID‐19.

Other studies have shown that up to 70% of the world’s population may be deficient in Vitamin D. A simple blood test can show if you have enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D is known to protect and enhance the immune system. However, you should not take supplemental Vitamin D unless you are indeed insufficient, as too much vitamin D can also cause serious health problems.

Citrus Fruits Boost the Immune System

More and more new research shows that food can be used as medicine. Fresh citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, pomelos and lemons contain large amounts of Vitamin C and flavonoids. Vitamin C and flavonoids can fight off viruses by boosting the immune system. Vitamin C tablets have not been shown to be as effective as the fresh fruit or juices.

Caution: grapefruit, pomegranates, Seville oranges, pomelos and tangelos can interact dangerously with certain prescription medicines.

According to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), some of the drugs that may interact dangerously with grapefruit juice are:

  • Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
  • Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
  • Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Sandimmune and Neoral (both cyclosporine).
  • Some anti-anxiety drugs, such as buspirone.
  • Some corticosteroids that treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, such as Entocort EC and Uceris (both budesonide).
  • Some drugs that treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as Pacerone and Nexterone (both amiodarone).
  • Some antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine).

Antiviral Herbs

Some herbs like licorice root glycyrrhiza glabra called shush coreach in Hebrew שוש קרח and common myrtle myrtus communis called hadas matsui הדס מצוי in Hebrew have been found to have antiviral properties.

Licorice Root

A study by German researchers published June 14, 2003 in LANCET showed that glycyrrhizin, an active component in licorice root could inhibit SARS coronavirus 1. Perhaps, this could also be used to prevent or treat Covid-19 (SARS coronavirus 2)? Licorice root is a very common herb used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and many people in China were cured from COVID-19 by traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, Zhang Boli a 72 year old Chinese expert in traditional Chinese medicine was given the honorary title of “The People’s Hero” for saving so many lives.

However, licorice root should not be taken by people who suffer from high blood pressure or in large amounts or over a very long period of time. This can lead to low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia) which can cause muscle damage. In severe cases low blood levels of potassium can damage kidneys and lead to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure.

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice Root Tea, however, can usually be safely used as a gargle at the first sign of a sore throat and is especially good for stopping a viral sore throat in its tracks. Gargle the tea and spit out the tea without swallowing it. Boil ¼ tsp of licorice root in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes. Cool to lukewarm, strain and use this as a gargle.

Consult with your doctor about the safety of using licorice root.

Common Myrtle

Common myrtle myrtus communis, on the other hand, can lower blood pressure and should not be taken by people on blood pressure lowering medicines. Research has shown that common myrtle has the ability to inhibit type A influenza, herpes family viruses and RSV virus. In folk medicine it has been used for lung and bronchial diseases, colds, tuberculosis, whooping cough, sinusitis and herpes. Common myrtle has also been shown to be hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar levels) in animal studies, so should be taken with caution and under strict medical supervision by diabetics. Myrtle essential oil should never be taken internally because of high cineole content that can lead to life-threatening poisoning. Besides its antiviral properties, the PDR for Herbal Medicine states that common myrtle myrtus communis has the ability to break up phlegm so that it is easier to expel (broncho secretolytic).

Common Myrtle Tea

Common myrtle myrtus communis is very powerful and should be taken in very small amounts – not more than 8-12 fresh leaves a day or 1/2 tsp. of the dried leaves. Two cups of boiling water should be poured over these leaves and left to stand for 10 minutes. Strain and after it is cool store in the refrigerator. ½ cup of this tea can be warmed by adding some hot boiled water and is usually safe if taken 3 times a day.

Check with your Doctor about Taking Antiviral Herbs

You should check with your doctor if medicines you are taking allow you to take these antiviral herbs.

If you have already contracted COVID-19 you should be under strict medical supervision.

Saline Irrigation of the Nose & Sinuses

Wash your nose and sinuses with saline solution especially after returning from places where there might be sick people. You can buy ready made sodium chloride solution or ampules. However, you can also make your own saline irrigation formula. The Sinus Center at the Baylor College of Medicine offers a formula for making-your-own Saline Irrigation Formula.

Hygiene

Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching any food, after using the rest room, after changing diapers, after cleaning a cat litter box, after handling any pets. This is not only for preventing virus infections, but also for stopping many other diseases.

Food Safety

Do not eat or handle any unwashed fruits or vegetables. Wash fruits and vegetables in water with special soap suitable for this purpose or baking soda. Soaking fruits and vegetables in water with added ½ package of baking soda for at least 15 minutes and then rinsing with clean water can also help to remove pesticides from the skins.

Conclusion

Some of us who lived through the polio (infantile paralysis) epidemics of the 1950s remember how our mothers kept us away from all kinds of crowded places during the summer months, when polio was spreading like wildfire. We did not go to pools, amusement parks, zoos, beaches, places of entertainment, ball games, etc. One minute there was a healthy child and the next minute he/she would be in an iron lung. We will always bless the late Dr. Jonas Salk for bringing us a vaccine against polio. Surely, the LORD works with those who make safe vaccines against terrible illnesses.

Some of us also still have the scars from our smallpox vaccines. Evidence of smallpox has been found in Egyptian mummies from the third century before the common era. Smallpox was a horrible disease that killed and maimed hundreds of millions of people whenever there was an outbreak. Thanks to a vaccine, smallpox became eradicated in 1980.

Let us all hope and pray that soon a vaccine or treatment to prevent or cure COVID-19 will be found.