Though there appears to be “light the end of the tunnel” in our battle against the pandemic, it is always good to remind ourselves of ways to keep ourselves safe and healthy. Here are a few excellent tips from the January/February 2021 AARP Bulletin.
Face Masks
The snugger the fit and the more layers, the better. The best defense are surgical and multi-layer cloth masks. Plastic face shields are about 65% effective, so they should always be used in tandem with face masks. And face shield drapes can also help, but once again in combination with a snug fitting face mask.
Shield Sheets disposable face shield drape can be a helpful
layer of defense against Covid-19.
Air Purifiers
HEPA filters for portable household units and HVAC filters are effective against virus-sized microbes. But it is still recommended to wear masks, maintain proper social distancing, and practice good hygiene. Also, and this is not easy during the cold winter months, good air flow from an open window or door can be an effective defense against Covid-19.
Hand Wipes & Sanitizers
Using hand wipes and sanitizers and thoroughly washing hands works and works well. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using wipes and sanitizers that are at least 60 percent ethanol. What is much less effective are disposable gloves because viruses can stick to gloves as well as skin. Unless you are changing your gloves often, hand wipes or gel are the best way to go.
Hand wipes, like NEATwipes from NEATGOODS, are an excellent defense
against Covid-19. Make sure sure the wipes contain at least 60% ethanol.
Vitamin D Pills
This one caught us by surprise, but it is recommended that Vitamin D be supplemented because most of us don’t get enough of it from natural sources. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to higher risk of acute upper respiratory infection and is a common trait among Covid-19 patients.
Some products that AARP notes as not being as effective against Covid-19 include:
- Sanitizing Packages: Surfaces are less of a mechanism for virus transmission than originally thought. Your best defense is to wash your hands after handling items.
- Air Ionizers: They are helpful in cleaning particulates in the air such as dust and mold, but there is no data that shows they are effective against viruses like Covid-19.
- Immune Booster: Several products claim to help boost immunity, but there is no evidence they help prevent or mitigate Covid-19. Also, because they are water-soluble, in most cases one will most likely pee out those megadoses.