COVID-19 Corona Virus Updated Tips to Keep Safe: Take Courage and Hold Out !

“So don’t throw away that courage of yours, which carries with it such a great reward. For you need to hold out!" [Hebrews 10:32-36 CJB]

  

The author of the Book of Hebrews writes to the Messianic Community reminding them of the courage they displayed in their past sufferings and struggles. They knew what it was to be publicly disgraced and persecuted, property seized and also to support others who had such experiences.  They had gladly accepted it with joy, because they knew that what they possessed in Christ was the greater reward. He reminded the community that whatever they might now be facing, they would do well to remember those earlier days of getting through it and recalled their steadfastness in the past. He tells them that they stood strong before so don’t throw away the courage they had in the past. 

We have faced many difficulties in this country in the last 20 years (i.e., 911,  other deadly viruses, recessions, Boston bombing, etc.) and now this COVID-19 Corona virus. 

Let us hold out, stay steadfast during this time of uncertainty and suffering. Let us not throw away our courage because we see death and destruction around us. Our Lord told us to pray to the Father to protect us from the Evil One.  When you are afraid take a deep breath in and let it out three times or more and you will feel yourself calming down.  Take courage knowing that God is Love and that fear cannot stand where Love commands.

Below are updates on how to stay safe and protect yourself from the COVID-19 virus.  Let us do our part and let God do the rest! 

Updates 1 - Keeping safe. 

1. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet, before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
2. It is recommended that people cover their mouth when they are out for any reason so whether it's mask or a scarf.
3. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours, so if you come into contact with any metal surface wash your hands as soon as you can with an anti- bacterial soap. 
4. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent will kill it.
5. It can survive on cardboard. If you get a delivery in a cardboard box wear gloves  to remove the items from the box and then insert them into your own bag. Leave the cardboard box outside.  Next, wipe the products with Lysol or Clorox wipes.
6. When you have been outside your home, on returning take your clothes off (preferable in the garage) and immediately take a shower. Afterwards pick the clothes up with a clean towel and put them in the washer.
7. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes. But a lot can happened doing that time. CDC recommends that 20 seconds or more.
8. Water consumption has NO bearing on the virus getting into your airways and lungs, if you breathe in an infected person's respiratory droplets,  the virus will travel through your airways. 
9. It may first infect the throat, so you’ll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days. If you have a sore throat please talk with your doctor. A simple solution of salt in warm water will help prevent an infection in your mouth when you have a tooth removal, but there is no evidence that it will prevent COVID-19. 
10. It has been recommended that you use a mouthwash such as Listerine. According to Johnson & Johnson. However, they clearly state on their site that Listerine does NOT kill the COVID-19 virus!
11. Stand 6 feet apart from others and watch what you are touching, and use hand sanitizer or wash your hands after you touch anything.
12. When going out wear gloves or bring a handkerchief or something to use on door knobs and other surfaces. The gloves help reduce contact with the germs although then you still need to wash your hands and not touch anything with their dirty gloves. 
13. Phones should be kept in your pocket and not touched until you get back home and get your hands washed. 
14. For the next two weeks people should try not to go out unless it's an emergency. Even to the grocery store or the pharmacy . 
15. Experts provide a few simple tips to help. 
1. There is no evidence that taking a deep breath and holding your breath for more than 10 seconds successfully without coughing, with discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs. Please seek medical advice. The virus can lead to severe complications, such as not being able to breath, pneumonia, infect the bloodstream, but not fibrosis.
2. Can’t emphasize enough - staying hydrated by drinking water is important for overall health, it does not prevent coronavirus infection. 
3. Everyone should ensure your mouth and throat are moist, never dry. As always  you should keep your body hydrated! Drinking plenty of fluid is important for ensuring a speedy recovery from cold and flu. It also helps to loosen mucus in your nose and relieve congestion. Staying hydrated ensures that the body can function properly and can defend itself more effectively against the cold or flu.
4. Drink hot water or hot tea every 2 hours. It is helpful take sips of water every 15 minutes. 
5. The CDC said, " It is not known yet whether weather and temperature impact the COVID-19 virus. Please don't assume the Sun will kill this virus. 

Update 2: The Symptoms: Some who are infected don't show any symptoms

1. According to WHO, most common symptoms  of COVID-19 are "fever tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients do have "aches and pains, nasal congestion, phlegm, runny nose,  loss of taste, loss of smell, sore throat or difficult breathing. Some patients have no symptoms at all. 
2. The virus can blend into nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further, with the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
3. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you’re drowning. It’s imperative you then seek immediate attention. The new Corona virus may not show sign of infection for many days.
4. How can one know that he/she is infected? The best way to know that you are infected is to get the COVID-19 test!

So please do everything to ensure your safety during this pandemic.