Curb the Curve: COVID-19 Safety Tips

Please note that this article has not been updated since April 6, 2020. For more up-to-date information, please consult other sources.

For once the doomsdayers were right: we are in the midst of a pandemic, a defining historic moment that may create a “new normal” with its indelible social, economic, and political reverberations. Its cost is measured in human lives lost to the virus. Governments around the world are struggling to stave off a worst-case scenario in which too many people get sick at the same time, leading to a shortage of medical supplies and the unnecessary and preventable loss of life.

My best friend (who, might I add, has an educational and professional background in biology) considered the novel coronavirus to be a grave threat to international public health last January, before anyone else I know took it seriously. Back when the shelves of your local Walmart were fully stocked — in the days before toilet paper was a coveted treasure, when it was still safe to give a stranger a handshake and a mask-wearer at a grocery store was a rare and peculiar sight — my friend began to prepare for what she saw as the imminent outbreak of a virus destined to become a pandemic. I’ll admit, at the time I thought all this doomsday prepping bordered the neurotic. Now she tells me she felt like Cassandra at the walls of Troy.

Fast forward to March, and here we are self-isolating in our homes (if we’re being smart), watching as the numbers of the dead and infected rise and photos of the carnage become more devastating by the day. After FaceTiming with my coronavirus-savvy friend about safety precautions that my husband and I can take, I’ve decided to pass on the knowledge. Together we can curb the curve.

Of course — as a necessary disclaimer — I’m not a scientist or medical professional. As with any non-peer-reviewed piece of writing you find on the Internet, please do your own research, consulting trusted sources to discern fact from fiction. However, since My Mellow Brick Road is a platform for starting conversations and disseminating information for the common good, I thought I would share the same words of advice with visitors and subscribers that I have already disclosed to friends and family.

Tips

1. Practice social distancing, ideally by staying at home. Authorities in many parts of the globe (including here in California) have already mandated this order. Only leave your home for essential trips including (but not limited to) grocery shopping, picking up medication, caring for the elderly, and going to work for those who absolutely must (e.g. medical personnel, supermarket employees, law enforcement, etc.). When out in public, stay at least six feet (roughly two meters) away from others. Remember: six feet of distance determine our existence (an adaptation of a rhyme I borrowed from a YouTuber). If you need to cough or sneeze, direct it into your elbow or a tissue. Visits with friends, parents, grown-up children, and all other relatives outside one’s own household should be temporarily halted in the broader interest of everyone’s safety. The sad fact is that seemingly innocuous casual contact with an infected family member could kill a grandparent or other relative. Of course, domestic staff (e.g. housekeepers, babysitters, etc.) should be temporarily relieved of their employment-related duties (but in my opinion, should somehow be compensated if they worked regularly and if their economic need is great). Maintenance/service visits should be postponed under all but urgent circumstances. On a related note, emerging evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by lingering airborne particles — “aerosols” — further illustrates why staying at home is superior to social distancing and why both are better than life-as-usual at this point in time.

This advice may seem extreme and Draconian to us as social beings who value individual liberty, but sacrifices like these do save lives. If you are part of a vulnerable population — such as those aged 65 or older, smokers, asthmatics, the immunocompromised (including pregnant women), those with serious underlying health conditions, and more — don’t hesitate to enlist help from family, friends, governmental services, and local community organizations (e.g. Meals on Wheels, churches, the Nextdoor app, etc.). There are good and kind people out there who care and want to help. In addition, take advantage of technology. Now is a great time to call, FaceTime, or Skype with friends and family to reduce social isolation. If you find yourself struggling, consider teletherapy from a licensed mental health professional.

2. Wash your hands. Thoroughly. And often. I’m referring to times when the risk of viral exposure is high, such as after shopping trips and after opening mail, which should optimally be done outside and with gloves. (Please forgive me for stating the obvious, but…) Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and running water or, at the very least, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Turn off the faucet with a towel so that you don’t reinfect your hands. A useful demonstration on proper hand-washing can be found here. Another handy tip is to leave the house jewelry-free since germs are notorious for hiding in these tiny crevices. If you’re married, consider investing in a silicone wedding band like this to wear outside the house. And, of course, if gloves are available to you, do wear them, but be sure to remove them carefully and without touching the outside, potentially contaminated surface. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer immediately afterwards.

3. Don’t touch your face. During times of potential exposure — so when outside the home — refrain from automatic gestures like rubbing your eyes and scratching your nose. The eyes, nose, and mouth are all conduits that the virus can use to infect you. Wearing long hair back in a ponytail or bun is a helpful way to avoid touching your face since you won’t need to move hair behind your ears.

4. Wear a mask in public. This includes at a drive-thru window or while receiving any kind of curbside service. This virus is extremely contagious and is transmitted by both direct contact (i.e. person-to-person and the droplets emitted by coughs and sneezes) and indirect contact (i.e. touching contaminated objects and likely by exposure to aerosols). There was a disinformation campaign telling the American public that mask-wearing made you more likely to get sick. This isn’t true, and members of the public became strangely polarized on this hot button issue. In spite of some initial pushback we received on social media, My Mellow Brick Road has been advocating the use of face coverings since this article was originally published. Thankfully, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changed its recommended guidelines on April 3 and is now encouraging the use of face coverings for members of the public.

There is evidence that exposure to a greater number of virus particles (virions) increases your chances of contracting the illness by meeting what scientists call the “minimal infective dose” of virus particles. What’s perhaps even more intriguing is that the more virus particles you ingest during the initial encounter, the greater the severity of your illness, as explained by virologist Peter Kolchinsky. By contrast, if you are exposed to a smaller number of virions, your immune system can more effectively mobilize and counter the attack of the pathogens. Your peak “viral load” — the number of virus particles in your body — is reduced, and your symptoms aren’t as severe. High viral load might be why ill-equipped Italian physicians struggling to treat the nightmarish influx of critically ill patients have such a tragically high fatality rate themselves; their exposure is tremendous since they are surrounded by infected people. Masks provide barriers that can limit how many pathogens enter through your nose and mouth to augment your viral load, plus they provide the added benefit of reminding you not to touch your face. Masks that aren’t medical-grade (N-95 or N-100 respirators) may not fully protect you; but almost anything is better than nothing. Wearing glasses, sunglasses, or even goggles (if the situation becomes dire enough to no longer care about looking like you dropped in from another planet) could protect your eyes from becoming infected by pathogens. Ideally, masks should seal around your face. Many have metal wires on top that can be shaped around the bridge of your nose to offer a tighter seal.

My friend really drove this point home by sharing a memorable analogy she heard from a YouTuber. COVID-19 is kind of like an STD: you can be the most cautious person in the world — a COVID virgin — but all it takes is a cough or sneeze in the face from someone who hasn’t been so careful for you to become infected; it’s about your “partner’s” exposure before meeting you.

Of course, be sure to practice certain mask-related safety precautions: while it is non-ideal to reuse disposable masks, many of us do not have enough on hand due to the global shortage. In this case, masks can be left out (but not in a sealed bag) for a minimum of three days to naturally disinfect as the pathogens die. This functions as a “quarantining” procedure. If a faster turnaround time is needed, the mask can be left in direct sunlight since UV light destroys the virus’s DNA. (As a side note, the same suggestions apply to gloves.) Recent evidence has demonstrated that N-95 (and presumably other) masks can be sterilized by baking them inside a regular kitchen oven for 30 minutes on 158°F/70°C or by exposing them to hot water vapor from boiling water for 10 minutes. This virus doesn’t like heat.

Alternatively, fabric masks can be purchased on Etsy and carefully washed and/or sterilized or even made at home (see DIY guide to mask-making below, under the “Masks” heading). I recommend high-quality masks with nose wires, pockets to add your own disposable filters, and adjustable straps to ensure a good fit. Like their disposable counterparts, fabric masks physically combat viral shedding in the form of droplets from coughs and sneezes. In this article, scientists strongly urge members of the public to use face coverings like masks and scarves against this invisible enemy. Doubling up with a disposable mask, reusable cloth mask, and/or scarf is another option, one that can save more N95 and N100 masks for the medical professionals on the front lines; generally, the thicker the barrier, the greater the level of protection. If doubling up with a disposable mask, then the disposable mask should be the inside layer. Do not use a mask more than once without “quarantining” or sanitizing it. Also be sure to remove your mask safely by the ear straps, without touching the front, potentially contaminated portion. See this video for a simple demonstration.

Perhaps the most important reason why mask-wearing in public is vital is because a significant proportion of those infected display only minor symptoms or even appear entirely asymptomatic. It is thought that around 40% of infected people show no symptoms. These individuals can still act as vectors who shed a high output of virus particles. This is especially true if a sneeze catches them by surprise, leaving no opportunity to direct it into an elbow or tissue. In addition, unlike the SARS and MERS coronaviruses, COVID-19 can be transmitted by pre-symptomatic carriers since people are the most contagious in the few days prior to the emergence of symptoms. These facts, along with the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) and the CDC’s poor handling of the situation during the critical early stages of the outbreak, help to explain why it has been so difficult to curb the spread of the illness.

So bottom line: even if you feel healthy, wearing a mask is altruistic and can protect others in your community from the invisible pathogens you may unknowingly harbor. Save the N-95 and higher respirators for the professionals who really need them. Of course, keep in mind that wearing a mask should not provide a false sense of security since viral transmission is still possible, even with a mask; it, above all, vital to leave the home as infrequently as possible.

5. Sterilize, sanitize, or “quarantine” items. This includes door handles leading inside your home, credit cards, glasses, and cell phones. As my friend pointed out to me, “phone hygiene” is every bit as critical as hand hygiene since most people’s phones are basically extensions of their hands. This can be done with sanitizing wipes and solutions. I recently discovered Barbicide, which is often used in beauty salons, since my local grocery stores are sold out of Lysol and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Barbicide has been shown to be effective against the novel coronavirus.

My friend mentioned something else that would never have occurred to me: UV sterilizing boxes. This company produces UV-C boxes for cell phones. There are also cabinets that use UV light to sterilize beauty salon equipment as well as boxes used to sanitize baby bottles. I would recommend, however, that you do your research before investing in a machine that produces UV light to ensure it is coming from a reputable source and that it won’t damage your phone.

Before purchasing our UV sterilizer, when my husband and I would get mail, packages, non-perishable groceries, and other items from the “outside,” we put them in a “quarantine” receiving area right near the front door for three days to be extra safe. This gives any pathogens that may be alive (or “viable,” in scientific terms) on these surfaces enough time to die. To keep track of when the items have become decontaminated, we put sticky notes on them containing the date they were received. This may seem like germophobic overkill, but it is consistent with the guidelines recommended in this article by scientists at Harvard University.

6. Have separate “outside” vs. “inside” clothing. This additional suggestion from my friend may seem extreme; but honestly, it’s hard to be too careful during a public health crisis. The idea is to avoid bringing clothing worn in public inside the home, which should be seen as a “safe,” virus-free zone. You can change out of your “outside” clothes in your garage or some other similar, appropriate location before washing them (or “quarantining” them for at least three days) and showering. Don’t forget to leave shoes outside, too, since they could be vectors of disease. A “lite” version of this ritual would be to have “outside” outerwear that is taken off in the garage and washed or “quarantined” if removing all clothes and showering just feels like too much. But I would always remove your shoes.

A related tip is to only take the bare minimum with you when you leave the house: your phone, keys, ID, and credit or debit card (avoid handling cash). Handbags aren’t necessary.

7. Don’t believe you are the exception. And this isn’t just the flu. When life gets scary, there can be a tendency to deny and downplay. A normalcy bias provides false comfort by making you think that tomorrow will always be the same as today. I’m sure that a few months ago, no one who has suffered from COVID-19 imagined they would be the victim of a pandemic.

It is important for the young and the strong to realize they are not always spared from the disease and that, quite critically, they can transmit it to others. Even after California’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order was issued by Governor Newsom last week, I saw (otherwise civically responsible) friends and extended family gathering for celebrations and informal get-togethers. Meanwhile, the Californians who soaked up some rays at public beaches last weekend, the spring breakers who partied on the Floridian beaches earlier this month, and the drinkers who had to be forced out of overcrowded British pubs by the police last Friday night spread the virus and therefore contributed to the loss of human life that is to come, even if that was not their intention. That is a fact rather than an opinion.

This virus doesn’t care about intentions just as it doesn’t factor in race, culture, nationality, occupation, socioeconomic status, or the merits of personal character; it knows no borders. I have heard it said many times that Britain is just a few weeks behind Italy, which has a fatality rate of about 10%. And, per the predictions of my uniquely prescient best friend and others, America is likely to have it even worse. The virus will almost certainly strike in waves, with places like New York, Washington State, and California being in more advanced stages of the curve, followed closely by other cities and then by more rural parts of the country. It is unfortunate that people have to personally feel the effects of a crisis like this before believing that any of it is real.

8. Remember that this won’t last forever. As California Governor Gavin Newsom reminded us, “This is not a permanent state, this is a moment in time.” Don’t panic buy, scapegoat other racial groups, or do anything else that would suggest we’re not all in this together. When going through personally difficult life circumstances, I’ve told myself that I can survive almost anything if I know it’s temporary. Matters will turn around within a few months; and in ordinary times, measures like what I’ve described in this article are completely unnecessary and, indeed, psychologically unhealthy. The key is to live day by day and to set small and achievable personal goals. Since most of our daily lives have been uprooted by the pandemic, establishing a new set schedule can offer solace through the familiarity of routine. For me, that means exercising first thing in the morning, then eating breakfast, and then doing household chores on cleaning days. Think about what you can do to create a predictable and orderly routine when the world outside seems so chaotic.

Resources

I know it’s tempting, especially on lockdown at home, to compulsively sift through news stories about the pandemic. I would urge you to limit your daily consumption of coronavirus-related media and to only rely on trusted sources.

Educated Responses to COVID-19

I must admit — this guide to navigating our COVID-19 world is better than mine (but since it was written by a group of Harvard professors, I’ll give myself a pass). Please review these helpful day-to-day suggestions for detailed health and safety advice (spoiler alert: they are pro-mask).

I was recently introduced to Dr. John Campbell’s YouTube channel, which I recommend most highly. Dr. Campbell is a retired academic and emergency nurse from England who provides daily updates as well as other informative videos aimed at curtailing the curve. Check out his channel here.

Masks

Here is the CDC’s official guide to creating your own, homemade mask.

In the early stages of the pandemic, Americans were told by public health officials not to wear masks because they weren’t helpful and, moreover, needed to be saved for the professionals… notice the contradiction? This opinion article from The New York Times evaluates the deleterious effects of anti-mask rhetoric.

When this whole things started, why were people in the West given funny looks and occasional jeers for wearing masks while people in the East could be ostracized for failing to wear them? This BBC article on the cultures of mask-wearing is an interesting, socially relevant read.

Discover the untold origin story of the N-95 mask in this article detailing the fascinating and at times controversial history of masks.

The Psychology of Crisis Response

Here is a Crisis + Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) pamphlet on the psychology of a crisis. It was released by the CDC in 2019 and contains a wealth of factual knowledge on information processing, mental states, behaviors, and more during a period of crisis.

Click here to find the CDC’s advice for coping with the stress and uncertainty generated by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The International OCD Foundation has released useful resources offering people with OCD and related disorders information on how to healthily adjust to their new lifestyle during these unusual times. Even people without these conditions may find these resources helpful. I especially like their points about talking to kids about COVID-19 and maintaining good self-care.

In this insightful piece, an academic from the University of Toronto who has survived physically and psychologically taxing conditions of war and disaster offers wisdom on how to adapt to a “new normal” in our COVID-19 world.

People adjust to threatening news at different rates. If you are interested in individual reactions to crisis — whether it be overreaction, denial, or abject ridicule directed at “preppers” — then check out these articles by Dr. Peter M. Sandman, a preeminent speaker in the field of risk communication:

Strange COVID-19 Bedfellows: Gnawing Anxiety and Under-Reaction (co-authored with Dr. Jody Lanard)

Public Reactions and Teachable Moments

Resources from Trusted Public Institutions

World Health Organization (WHO)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

State of California COVID-19 Website

Volunteer Opportunities in California to Help the Vulnerable

Take Heart and Do Your Part

Many of these safety tips follow this simple rule of thumb: All people should act as though they are asymptomatic carriers of the disease. Access to testing is severely lacking in the U.S. and many other countries, and not every infected person will exhibit symptoms. As Dr. Campbell pointed out, most people would agree to perform some kind of heroic feat if it meant saving a life, whether it be rescuing a child from drowning in a swimming pool or pulling an unconscious stranger out of a burning car. Now is a time when almost anyone can be a hero who saves lives simply by staying at home.

Please do bear in mind that much is still unknown about the novel coronavirus, and the situation is constantly evolving. I will try my hardest to keep this page factually accurate, correcting mistakes and editing content as necessary. If you have firm evidence that something I’ve recommended here regarding COVID-19 is false or if you simply have suggestions, questions, thoughts, or helpful resources, please feel free to share your wisdom in the comment section below. Last but not least, don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already to receive my latest posts in your inbox. Your information is never misused or given to third parties.

Stay safe and be well.