With all the fear-mongering going on in the news (one can't get any real info from the main stream media) I thought I'd start a thread that might give some comfort and advice to my forum buds and anybody else willing to read on.
Disclaimer: I am no medical professional. "I'm a mechanic - not a doctor, Jim!" What I offer here is some of the things I've done and continue to do as this crisis unfolds. (Will these step guarantee safety? No. Hopefully you'll be able to beat the odds if you're careful and meticulous). Take it FWIW - anybody's opinions or advice would be a welcome addition.
Seems to me from all I've read from reliable sources that avoiding big crowds is the number one thing to do. I'm not going to go into lockdown at my house (though I have tons of fun projects to keep me busy!), but on the other hand I ain't going to go to any movie theaters or concerts any time soon. I'm prudent but not paranoid. Probably will avoid eating out much as well. You don't know if the staff is not feeling well but didn't stay home cause "I can't afford it!".
So, they can afford getting you sick? No thanks.
Face masks IMHO won't stop virus-sized particles. So, trying to stop from getting infected with a mask is probably a waste of time. The pores in most masks aren't fine enough to filter out the thing, and most cheapo masks don't fit well enough (or people don't wear them properly). Heck, doctors overseas have died while working around sick patients while in HAZMAT suits, so.
I'd use a gas mask. After a bad landfill fire some years ago and awful smelling stuff drifting to my house (2-3 miles away) I invested in some military surplus gas masks. The filters will stop gas molecules - they should stop virus particles.
If things get any worse I'll start wearing neoprene gloves when I go out in public (and just toss them when going back private). (I think it's better than applying hand sanitizer a hundred times a day). And public restrooms are out - in an emergency I spray sanitizer on the seat and try not to sit down!
If you don't have any commercial hand sanitizer, suitable chemicals to make your own disinfectant would be any alcohol-containing product (witch hazel, mouthwash, washing machine sanitizer, chlorox or pool chloronizer, etc.). Try medical supply stores - I'm betting those are under most peoples radar right now. These are for surfaces - not your hands. Most people don't know enough chemistry to do this, so, most of the alternative products will probably be available when the sanitizer and wipes are long gone.
For skin use I'd use a disinfectant soap or try and get some of the disinfectant triclosan (the active ingredient in most antiseptic human products). Though it's an anti-bacterial (not anti-viral) it won't directly kill the bug but will help mitigate the odds. One could try a home-made bar soap. Many of those tend to run overly alkaline (for cleaning purposes or sloppy production) and that will kill viruses.
Since the virus is air-borne, I use a nasal flush like the NeilMed system and an eye wash regimen like Bausch and Lomb. Kind odd getting used to the nasal flush, but once you're over the hump it's really not that bad. It really helps flush out contaminants - I think it's worth a try.
And I REALLY recommend you stay away from hospitals. Elective surgery should be postponed if possible. (Visitation is out unless you have a family member). Remember, all the poor sick people flock to the ER - a hospital is the last place I wanna be! And if this thing gets as bad as they're "predicting", hospital staff is going to be exhausted and supplies will be low - being there won't guarantee you get treatment.
More to come!
