Corona-virus Pandemic – Be Proactive Not Reactive

            A Pandemic is defined as an outbreak of a wide geographical disease which affects high populations.  It does not mean panic.  The magnitude of the spread of this virus can easily cause panic and stress.  After all, it is an unknown.   Panic is defined as acting in anticipation of future problems, needs or change.  Panic causes stress and stress lowers your immune system which is vital in combating the virus.

            Instead of Panic be Proactive.  Proactive is defined as acting in advance to deal with an expected difficulty; anticipatory, as well as acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty. 

In our present worldwide situation concerning the Corona-virus, it is the action of controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond to it after it happens.
            Attempting to slow down the virus with closures of schools, businesses and eliminating large group gatherings is proactive.  Doing all you can do personally, can be effective in slowing down the virus.  So, what is that?

            Filter out the news you receive.  Yes, people are getting sick.  Yes, people are dying.  Make note of the proactive information in the news and online.  Hope can come from every one of us by putting things into perspective.  Constantly following the news may lead to stress which I have stated lowers your immune systems abilities. 

            From the news take the proactive information and act on it.  We have been advised on personal preventative measure.  Very Proactive.  Wash your hands often.  Soap and water are very effective against this virus.  Don’t let the shortage of hand sanitizer make you panic.  Any soap including laundry soap are effective.  Dry hands after washing.  Cloth towels help wipe the virus away.  The towels are easily laundered and reused. 

Don’t panic about toilet paper shortage.  Diarrhea is not a symptom of this virus so don’t panic about toilet paper hording.  A spray bottle with clean water can clean you after urinating or bowel movement.  For extra cleanliness after pooping, use a wash clothe if necessary.  It can be laundered and reused.   

            Taking sips of water every fifteen minutes help to wash virus into your stomach where stomach acids kill it.

            The virus does not survive well in fresh air.  The more humid and hotter it is, the less chance the virus will survive.  Spend time outside away from other people.  Keep 10 feet between yourself and your neighbors.  Open the windows and let fresh air into your house.  Even if it is cool outside, open the windows for short periods of time. 

            Vitamin D, free from the sun is very effective against the virus.  Vitamin D boost the immune system.  Healthy eating and supplements can help boost your immune system.  Reduce your consumption of alcohol and reduce or quit smoking.  They lower your immune systems ability to fight disease. 

            The best thing we can do about this pandemic is to not panic and do not live in fear.  Being proactive is giving you more control over the situation and more control over your life. 

            The unknown does cause fear and panic.  It causes hording and sometimes cruelty to others.  Hording and living in fear of the virus is panic. 

            We must watch out for each other, especially the elderly.  The older folks of our world essentially gave us our present world.  It is the discoveries, contributions and advancement to technology that they spent their lives working on and giving it to the generations that followed them. 

            We need to make sure they have what they need.  Food, toilet paper, medications and other gestures toward them so that they know they still matter.  Just because you get old, it does not mean you stop having the same feelings and needs as when you were young. Contact groups or agencies that will help you to provide for the elderly’s wellbeing.  Gifts of food, errands or even a card or letter especially for those who are quarantined, will go along way to being proactive towards mankind. 

We all need to be helpful to the rest of our extended families. This includes even people we do not know. We all have the right to survive, no matter our age, race or gender. We are all members of the family of the human race. All equally as important. Stop hording - leave something for the next person. Share if you can.

We all may be afraid of the unknown that the virus is presenting, but we cannot let fear or greed destroy our humanity which consists of kindness, compassion and giving.