Coronavirus: what I'm doing to protect myself

As a ‘terminal’ Stage IV cancer patient that is over 60, I should be afraid of the novel coronavirus. As a miraculous survivor of three different dire prognoses of impending death, I’m not. My niece once said, “Aunt Kai, you’re kinda hard to kill, aren’t you?” Humility is a road I sometimes forget to walk but the universe will smack me upside the head when I get too cocky. So, I’m cautiously optimistic. Bottom line… I have faith in my naturopathic protocol that has gotten me this far.

Since I have been diagnosed with cancer and in the many years of adhering to my naturopathic protocol, I have had neither cold nor flu, even while caring for very ill and contagious friends and family. Me… the supposedly immuno-suppressed one. Many of the things I already do to make my bioterrain hostile to cancer are emerging as protective against Covid-19… both in susceptibility and severity. So, they apparently make my bioterrain hostile to Covid-19 as well….. yay! I find it delightfully ironic that us ‘terminal’ cancer patients who utilize these things in our fight may have a survival advantage…

“and the metastatic shall inherit the earth.”

It’s important to understand how coronavirus infects you. Basically, it must enter your respiratory tract and use the ACE2 receptors there to enter the cells. So preventing it from entering your respiratory tract and interfering with the ACE2 pathways, are ways to prevent infection. Preventing cytokine storms, the overactive immune responses thought to be linked to respiratory distress and the most serious cases and death from Covid-19, is an important way to decrease severity once infected and it is thought to be the key to survival.

On Immunity and Covid-19

It is commonly assumed, but not yet proven, that successfully recovering from Covid-19, will confer at least temporary immunity on one. It is also assumed, but not yet known, that a vaccine would also confer immunity. An experimental treatment for Covid-19, injects ‘convalescent plasma’ into patients to give them the advantage of a recovered person’s antibodies. Its efficacy also remains unproven. It could be that none of those help. Hundreds of people have tested positive again (some experiencing symptoms again, sometimes even worse) after recovering and testing negative. That means either the person relapsed (the virus re-proliferated after its levels fell very low) or was reinfected or one or more of the tests was faulty. Most experts seem to favor the relapse theory but none of these scenarios bode well for confidently knowing one’s immune status or achieving ‘herd immunity.’

The most common test to detect the virus is the PCR/nasal swab test. That will tell you if the virus is currently present in your body. There are a number of blood-based antibody tests, but those don’t impart the knowledge many think they do. What you want to know is… are you immune or potentially contagious? If you test negative, that doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t contagious, it is possible you were recently infected, haven’t made antibodies yet, but you could be shedding the virus. If you are surprised to test positive, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are contagious, you may have been asymptomatic, not known that you had it, and are no longer shedding virus.

My point is, the best things to do are to prevent exposure to the virus in the first place, make sure your body is not deficient in substances linked to Covid-19 protection, and consider keeping other substances that kill the virus, prevent replication, or reduce the deadly cytokine storms, on hand in the event things go south.

If you think that wearing a mask does nothing to protect yourself and others because the virus is so small, please remember that viruses cant fly or propel themselves in anyway. They ‘land’ on you through aerosolized droplets that ARE big enough for the mask to protect your nose and mouth from. Please read about the spread of the coronavirus facilitated by the air conditioning system in a restaurant in China and look at the seating chart… 6 ft is totally arbitrary. For those that do care about protecting themselves and others, here is some guidance to keep in mind when around others, even outdoors. Researchers at M.I.T. studying coughs and sneezes, observed particles from a cough traveling as far as 16 feet and those from a sneeze traveling as far as 26 feet. To avoid droplets, it is recommended to stay 15 feet from others when walking, 33 feet when running or cycling at a slow pace, and 65 feet when running or cycling at a faster pace. This is based on research into aerodynamics of aerosols and slipstream simulations.

This post looks at the following subjects:

Vitamin D Essential Oils

Cannabis Mupirocin

Glutathione/NAC Acyclovir, Lysine

Garlic Quinine sulfate

Iodine Wormwood

Medicinal Mushrooms Famotidine

Melatonin Dexamethasone

Elderberry Blood Type

Vitamin C Other protective behaviors

Selenium and Zinc Homemade hand sanitizer

Bee Pollen Homemade disinfectant

Vitamin D

This may be the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself… against Covid-19, and a range of disease conditions…. make sure your levels of Vitamin D are healthy. Vitamin D is obtained through foods, supplementation, and sunlight exposure. Deficiency is linked to weakened immunity and most cancers (especially breast).¹ Researchers have found evidence that vitamin D suppresses the expression of a gene known to accelerate the growth of breast cancer.² Overuse of sunscreen and not enough exposure to sunlight can be a major reason for deficiency. Signs include being sick often, fatigue, depression, hair loss, muscle and bone pain, osteoporosis, PMS, insomnia, and slow wound healing.

Most doctors prescribe D₂. However, most experts conclude that Vitamin D₃, which is more bioavailable, is the way to go. Because Vitamin D can deplete your Vitamin K levels, it is optimum to take a D₃supplement that contains it. I was severely deficient in Vitamin D when diagnosed. I get lots of sun and supplement with 50,000 IUs of D₃once/week and 2000 IUs of D₃with Vitamin K₂daily. We test my levels 4x/year. It’s an affordable and readily available test. If your insurance won’t cover it or your doctor won’t cooperate, you can test at a private lab for cheap. The sweet spot for testing levels is 50-100 ng/ml. It is possible to have too much Vitamin D so you will want to test your levels before you supplement.

It is preliminary and has not yet been peer reviewed, but a recent study³based on a previous review of research showing that Vitamin D supplementation may reduce risk with flu and coronaviruses⁴ appears to show a strong inverse correlation between Vitamin D levels and severity of Covid-19 symptoms… meaning the higher your Vitamin D levels, the less severe the disease and the lower your levels, the more severe the disease expression. It’s really quite dramatic and exciting and I can’t wait to see further studies.

It makes total sense because of the role Vitamin D plays in the immune system, especially with respiratory illness. It also makes sense because older people, people of color, and men vs. women are all populations experiencing more severity and frequency of Covid-19 and all those populations have historically had lower Vitamin D levels. I also include some discussion articles on Vitamin D and Covid-19.^4,5,6,7 I have read of a caution against taking Vitamin D once Covid-19 has been contracted because it can increase inflammation so I am mainly focusing on making sure my Vitamin D levels are in a healthy range now.

Cannabis

As I document in my book, What I Did and Do and Why, a naturopathic protocol that helps me survive and thrive, in a chapter on Cannabis and Cancer (worth the $7 book price right there), the cannabis plant has over 400 healing compounds and over 100 of them are cannabinoids. The two most talked about cannabinoids are CBD and THC, THC is the only psychoactive one. Our bodies contain a physical system, a network of receptors, called the Endocannabinoid System, or ECS. The ECS plays a big role in immunity. If one is deficient in cannabinoids, one’s immune system will be compromised.¹

Emerging research^2,3 shows that CBD may have a protective effect against Covid-19 through modulating the ACE2 pathways and inhibiting the virus’ ability to bind and take hold. “Hemp extracts high in CBD may help block proteins that provide a “gateway” for COVID-19 to enter host cells.” Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties as well that suppress cytokines.

Terpenes, another class of healing compounds in the cannabis plant, are also looking to be effective against Covid-19 by modulating cytokine storms, as well as blocking proteins that allow the virus to replicate.⁴ This article is an overview⁵ of what I’ve already discussed but makes the point I frequently make… that we need so much research to see which cannabis compounds are best for which disease conditions and in what combination and strength. And, as long as Cannabis is federally illegal as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, it cannot be legally studied and such research cannot be government-funded.

Cannabis has played a big role in my miracles in terms of cancer. I don’t think people with cancer or Covid-19 (or wishing to prevent either) should be taxing their lungs by smoking anything, so I recommend ingesting cannabis oil. I make my own cannabis oil (here’s a video showing you how) from a balanced strain of Cannabis (1:1 ratio THC:CBD) suitable for my type of cancer and I take it every night before bed because I don’t actually like to be high. So again, my anti-cancer naturopathic protocol seems to apply here as well.

Glutathione and NAC

An antioxidant made in the cells of our body, levels of glutathione are reduced by a number of factors, including poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and stress. As we age, our glutathione levels fall. Glutathione deficiency is associated with chronic disease, including cancer. As a powerful antioxidant (thus detoxifier), it is a double-edged sword in treating cancer as it reduces the oxidative stress that causes cancer but it may interfere with the efficacy of chemotherapy.¹

Since I constantly strive to make my bioterrain hostile to cancer and I don’t currently endure chemotherapy, I take NAC supplements (N-acetylcysteine). NAC is a precursor to glutathione and is commonly taken as an OTC decongestant supplement, but, as I discussed in my book What I Did and Do and Why, it is being repurposed as an anti-cancer supplement.² However, since cysteine is only one of the 3 amino acids needed to produce glutathione (glutamine and glycine being the other 2, glutamine being an ingredient in the ‘magic powder’ I take every day for chemo-induced neuropathy, muscle wasting, and changes in nutrient absorption), I reasoned that perhaps it would be better to just take glutathione. Then I learned that both are being looked at for Covid-19.³

In fact, glutathione deficiency is being looked at as the most likely cause of Covid-19 severity and death.⁴ And a compelling anecdotal story of a Covid-19 patient who dramatically improved when she supplemented with glutathione makes a good case.⁵ Yes, we always want to have peer-reviewed, controlled studies with large sample sizes before we draw conclusions but, as I am fond of saying in the cancer world, when you’ve been given just weeks to live, you don’t have the luxury of waiting for that clinical trial that is just a gleam in some scientists eye.

Meanwhile, her doctor reasoned, “When you get a viral infection with a huge amount of inflammation, you don’t have enough glutathione to be able to protect your very sensitive lung tissue.” After supplementation, she got an immediate response, “Within an hour my breathing got better. It was amazing. I sat up, I got up,” Josephine Bruzzese recalled. She took the pills for five days and had no relapse.

Unfortunately, my search for research that would tell me whether it is better to take NAC or glutathione didn’t yield any results, and it appears to be okay to take both. I will continue with my NAC supplements and, if I do develop Covid-19, will start taking glutathione. When I run out of NAC, I will probably switch to use up my bottle of glutathione. I’ll let you know if there is anything to report.

Natural sources of glutathione are fruits and vegetables, another reason to eat plenty of them. Silymarin (milk thistle, good for the liver), Selenium (essential mineral for immune system, brain health and thyroid function), and vitamins C and E also increase glutathione.

Garlic

Possibly, the single most powerful and versatile natural healing substance, garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and boosts your immune system by increasing the rate that Natural Killer cells are made. Allicin, its active compound, is 15 times more powerful than penicillin. It also detoxifies and supports all of your organs and helps combat Candida and other parasitic infections. Always use organic to avoid the radiated garlic from China and other toxins.

I put it in almost everything I cook but when I need to use it for concentrated healing, I will roast entire bulbs (so that I can consume large quantities without upsetting my stomach) with a little water and olive oil and sprinkle the cloves in my salads and smoosh it on toast. I keep a special jar of honey in my cupboard that has had sliced garlic and ginger sitting in it for a year. A spoonful of that will scare anything away and is curative topically as well.

I have cured plantar’s warts on feet and a fungal infection on my cat’s nose by rubbing garlic on topically. Yeah, I know, you want to see the video of me rubbing garlic on my cat’s nose LOL. A study showed that garlic extract had an inhibitory effect of IBV, a coronavirus prevalent in the poultry industry.¹ While I await more research on this specific coronavirus, I don’t mind continuing to use massive amounts of garlic. Everything is better with garlic.

The effect of Garlic extract on infectious bronchitis virus in specific pathogen free embryonic egg

Iodine

Iodine is an essential mineral element the body uses to produce thyroid hormones and detoxify from radiation, and iodine deficiency has been repeatedly linked to breast cancer.¹ In my books, I relate the role I believe it played in my perfect cancer storm. Iodine is also a topical antiseptic with antiviral properties and the primary way it is being studied in its use against Covid-19 is protective: as a prophylactic nasal spray and as an antiseptic gargle to inactivate the virus and prevent proliferation.^2,3,4,5,6

Since iodine deficiency decreases immune response, I believe everyone’s health would be better if they tested themselves for iodine deficiency and supplemented accordingly. It is a regular part of my protocol for both hypothyroidism and breast cancer, as well as a regular detoxifying agent. Realize that there is a difference between topical, antiseptic ointments that you may be more familiar with and food-grade supplements designed for safe ingestion. Dietary sources include seafood, fish oil, seaweed, kelp, chlorella, eggs, prunes, and lima beans.

Medicinal Mushrooms

I view medicinal mushrooms as the second most powerful natural healing substance (after Cannabis) that I ingest. Pretty much all mushrooms contain beta glucans, which boost your immune system, and several specific species have significant anti-cancer effects. I take a blend¹ of Reishi, Maitake, Lionsmane, Chagas, Turkeytail, Cordyceps, Shitake, Oyster, Tuckahoe, and Royal sun agaric daily as part of my ‘magic powder.’ Although I haven’t found research on specific species with this specific coronavirus, these and other species have been shown to have antiviral activity with SARS and H5N1 bird flu, other similar coronaviruses.²

I buy the Immune Blend powder in bulk from Mycoformulas. Capsules are also available.
Antiviral and antibacterial activity from medicinal mushrooms

Melatonin

Melatonin is another substance I cover in my book, What I Did and Do and Why, and take for its anti-cancer activity, as well as its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. There is quite a bit of discussion, and even research being conducted, about its potential for prevention¹ of contracting Covid-19 as well as its disrupting virus pathology, thus reducing cytokine storms and oxidative stress, and thus the severity of symptoms and mortality.^2,3,4 This article makes the interesting points that older people have less melatonin and bats have high melatonin, which are interesting correlations to the coronavirus in those populations… with older people being more susceptible and bats being less.⁵ I also enjoy its usefulness as a sleep aid so I take 5mg every night before bed.

Elderberry

Elderberry is probably getting the most of the attention of natural substances for Covid-19 because of its reputation as an effective flu virus fighter. In fact, it is known to degrade the protective coating of viruses, preventing the binding of coronaviruses to cells. But it’s important to note that, because of its immune boosting properties, it might be wise to limit its use once symptoms have developed because it might ignite a cytokine storm. Mind you, there is no completed research either way regarding coronavirus and elderberry and some claim that elderberry can actually have an anti-cytokine effect. I am taking it now and will probably stop if I do contract Covid-19, to be safe.

Vitamin C

A powerful anti-oxidant, Vitamin C is known to boost immunity and protect against disease-fighting damage by oxidation. Very high doses are administered intravenously, and raise blood levels very quickly. It is used as an alternative therapy for many disease conditions. In a small and preliminary study, high-dose vitamin C appeared to decrease the time on a ventilator for seriously ill people with COVID-19. A hospital incorporating high dose Vitamin C with other experimental drugs in their protocol found that patients with it fared better than those without it. And other studies have similarly found that lengths of ICU stays or time on ventilator have also been reduced.¹ Again, no peer-reviewed, controlled studies have been published yet but clinical trials are underway.^2,3I juice every day and eat lots of fruits and vegetables and low-dose supplement with 1000mg per day to keep my immune system on its toes.

Selenium and Zinc

In addition to being essential minerals the body uses for a variety of functions, these two micronutrients are both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and play an important modulating role of the immune system. Selenium is needed for the proper functioning of neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, T lymphocytes and other immune mechanisms. Zinc is required as a catalytic, structural and regulatory ion for enzymes, proteins and transcription factors, and is thus a key trace element in many homeostatic mechanisms of the body, including immune responses.

Since our farming soils have been depleted of essential minerals, it is often necessary to supplement to ensure adequate levels in your body. Physiological supplementation for 1-2 months restores immune responses, reduces the incidence of infections and prolongs survival.¹ I supplement with both as part of my anti-cancer protocol as well as my thyroid support protocol. Brazil nuts are high in selenium. One a day is enough.

Regarding Covid-19, in this study,^2,3,4 researchers found that the COVID-19 cure rate was significantly associated with selenium status, as measured by the amount of selenium in hair. It is only a correlation at this point, and further studies are planned. In my discussion of glutathione, I mentioned selenium as a source. This article discusses selenium’s and glutathione’s role in protecting against viruses and their mutations.⁵ These papers discuss possible mechanisms of action (MOA).^6,7

Zinc helps fight infections by boosting the production of antibodies against infections. While a lot of research has shown it to be effective against the common cold coronavirus, there hasn’t been definitive research on its efficacy against Covid-19 in humans. By surveying previous research, this paper⁸ makes a good case for incorporating zinc against Covid-19.

Bee pollen (propolis)

In researching for my book, What I Did and Do and Why, I came across Bee Pollen as a superfood and anti-cancer powerhouse. With immune-boosting, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties and being a significant source of essential vitamins and minerals, it is used for asthma and allergies as it opens up airways. I’ve started putting it in my morning coffee because I have developed an allergy to my cat. Now, I could stop burying my face into my cat’s belly but, since that brings me so much joy, I am always on the lookout for naturopathic anti-allergy remedies. It also protects against radiation therapy and has a host of healing properties. I haven’t found any research specific to Covid-19 but, based on its immune-boosting, antimicrobial, nutritional, and respiratory protective properties and that fact that I experience no negative side effects from it, I figure it is serving me well.

Propolis and Its Pharmacological Potentials

Essential Oils

Many essential oils have anti-microbial properties which can either kill a virus or interfere in replication. Thieves’ oil (the antibacterial/antiviral essential oil combination that purportedly protected thieves in the Middle Ages as they pilfered the bodies of plague victims) is generally comprised of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils. I couldn’t find any studies specific to Covid-19, but there is a fair amount of research on similar viruses.^1,2,3 In addition to having anti-microbial properties, molecules from essential oils can bind to neurotransmitters and stimulate the immune system.

Frankincense is an anti-inflammatory herb/essential oil that improves pulmonary function and so is being studied for a potential ability to reduce cytokine storms. I use them in a diluted spray on my mask, face, and hands, and in a diffuser next to my bed while I sleep at night. I have occasionally ingested them by putting them in a gelatin capsule, but not all essential oils are appropriate for internal consumption so make sure you check first. Here are a couple of articles on using essential oils with Covid-19.^4,5

Repurposed Drugs and Supplements

Although many drugs that reduce inflammation or prevent cytokine storms are being studied for their usefulness in treating Covid-19, I have no personal experience with them. Following are drugs I do have experience with and am currently using.

Mupirocin/Bactroban

Besides wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and social distancing, etc., this is the only thing I do to stop the virus from even entering my body. I was prescribed Mupirocin when my cancer journey resulted in me getting chronic strep infections in my nose and eyes. Although it is described as an anti-bacterial topical cream, it is known to have anti-viral properties.

Since I must leave my little mountain hamlet and travel a couple of hours each way to the big city (population 9,000 LOL) every three weeks for my immunotherapy infusion, I do my errands at the same time and increase my exposure exponentially. Before I enter each public place, I line the inside of my nostrils with mupirocin then re-place my mask. The theory is that if the virus enters through my nose, it will die before reproducing. I also spray the inside and outside of my mask with Thieves’ Oil. At the end of this article/post I provide recipes for home made hand sanitizer and surface disinfectant, other preventive agents.

Dexamethosone

Dexamethosone is a cheap, readily available steroid. If you have cancer, it is likely you were prescribed it at some point. Dexamethosone has been discussed quite a bit recently as being possibly effective in reducing cytokine storms. Hot off the presses (although it is as yet unpublished, it is suddenly all over the news) is a study¹that found that Dexamethosone cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth. Treatment is for 10 days at a cost of less than $7 per day. Note: if you take steroids for a length of time, it is important to taper off gradually when you stop.

Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug

Acyclovir & Lysine

For 40 years, I have suffered from chronic viral meningitis. I have a virus that lives in my spine and when I don’t handle stress well, it can flare up and cause rather dramatic problems. I have been hospitalized twice, lost the use of my legs, and been subjected to unbelievable pain. Doctors have not been particularly helpful but I have put together a protocol that protects me… meditation and exercise, Cannabis Oil, Acyclovir and Lysine. I use this protocol when I first get the pain running up and down my legs and I am able to avoid a full-blown meningitis attack. Mind you, as long as I am ingesting Cannabis Oil regularly, I don’t even get the onset symptoms (see Cannabis treated my recurring meningitis by accident).

Since Acyclovir is an antiviral and they are currently studying remdesivir as an antiviral Covid-19 treatment option, I wondered about Acyclovir’s potential viability against Covid-19. Likewise Lysine, might have a protective, anti-viral effect. It is an amino acid that works in delicate counter-balance to the amino acid Arginine. There are currently several studies assessing the efficacy of a wide range of currently available antiviral drugs but as yet, there is nothing to prove that Acyclovir has been an effective co-vid treatment option. So, I will continue to take it as needed for meningitis and will consider taking it if I do contract Covid-19 but am not taking it daily for prevention. Lysine is also being studied for Covid-19 and there are no results to report yet but I take it every day because I think it serves me well and I have no side effects.

Chloroquine, quinine sulfate, and other anti-malarials

I do not approve of the president’s irresponsible recommendation of the use of hydroxychloroquine in the absence of evidence either as a preventative or a treatment for Covid-19, especially since it can bring about dangerous side effects. There is the man in Arizona who died and whose wife was hospitalized after ingesting it. But the whole question did get me thinking because I take quinine sulfate as needed for very intense muscle cramps that are a side effect of my cancer immunotherapy.

I am very aware of possible negative side effects because I took a form of it when I lived in Africa to prevent malaria and had to quit because of its toxicity. Mind you, I then got malaria three times, which was much worse than the side effects. Still, I’m not anxious to suffer them again. So I am cautious in using this drug, which works miraculously for my debilitating muscle cramps. Also, I have my heart checked every 6 months as a condition of taking my immunotherapy, and my heart is very very healthy. I have quinine sulfate on hand and, if I contract Covid-19, I may take some.

Wormwood

Artemisin, or wormwood, is something I take twice a year as part of my cleansing protocol. In my books, I tell a pretty compelling tale of how parasitic liver flukes may have played a role in the perfect storm that led to me getting cancer. I also discuss how artemisin is being studied for its anti-cancer qualities. Wormwood is a highly effective parasiticide. In addition to killing worms, it also strengthens the immune system, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-malarial agent that kills cancer by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis.

Turns out, it may play a role in Covid prevention and treatment as well. It is the main ingredient in an herbal cure being used in Africa.^1,2,3 The WHO is worried about its potential overuse since A.) its effectiveness against Covid-19 hasn’t been proven and B.) it is also an anti-malarial and if everybody is using it, then malarial parasites may become wormwood resistant, as has occurred in Southeast Asia. Clinical trials are underway.^4,5

The product I use⁶ has wormwood, black walnut hull, and clove, three ingredients that combine to kill all stages of the vast majority of most parasites that plague humans. Mechanism of Action (MOA) is thought to be preventing viral replication. I am doing my spring body cleansing now and so am taking it for two weeks and will keep some on hand in case Covid-19 sniffs at my door. I give it to my cat as well as a natural dewormer. It can be hard on the liver and so if your liver is suffering or you are undergoing intensive chemotherapy, you should exercise caution.

Another Malaria Cure Draws Notice in Coronavirus Outbreak, This Time in Africa
‘Could It Work as a Cure? Maybe.’ A Herbal Remedy for Coronavirus Is a Hit in Africa, But Experts Have Their Doubts
Artemisinin raises hopes and fears amid COVID-19
Fatty acid and sweet wormwood on road to clinical trials for COVID-19
COVID-19: Tests for ‘miracle cure’ herb Artemisia begin
Kroeger Wormwood Combination, available at your local health food store or online

Famotidine

If you have undergone chemotherapy, chances are you were prescribed Famotidine for nausea and/or heartburn. Since my naturopathic protocol resulted in my not suffering these side effects of chemotherapy, I still have my prescription unopened. Famotidine, a histamine antagonist, is also available OTC as Pepcid without a prescription. There is no indication that Famotidine can prevent Covid-19. But there is significant evidence that it can make a dramatic difference in severity and mortality when used for treatment. “Compared to the rest of the patients, those who received famotidine had a greater than 2-fold decreased risk of either dying or being intubated.”^1,2

Early case studies of patients who treated themselves at home and recovered showed promise in reducing the severity of symptoms.^3,4 A controlled study is now underway.^5,6 It is thought that it’s mechanisms of action involve histamine.^6,7

Covid-19 and blood type

A recent study indicates a difference in both susceptibility¹ and severity² of Covid-19 depending on your blood type. This genetic variant may involve the ACE2 pathways and the virus’ ability to replicate. I list two different references because two different articles interpret the same study using different parameters. Basically, you want to have Type O, because they seem to be least likely to contract Covid-19 as well as experience less severity. Type A seems to experience the most severity. Obviously, this is not something you can control, but you may or may not choose to be more self-protective, depending on your blood type.

Other protective behaviors

I’ve read a lot of tips and hints to stop the virus after exposure before it takes hold. There isn’t much, if any, research on them, but I’ve selected a few to discuss that make sense. Basically, the virus needs to replicate. Any way you can interfere with that by creating a hostile environment for that, the better. It likes certain temperatures and to not be disturbed.

Drink fluids frequently. Always a good idea to hydrate your body for it to be in top form anyway. By drinking fluids frequently, you wash any virus hanging around into your stomach where the acids can destroy it. Hot liquids even better.
Gargle with warm salt water to ‘sanitize’ your mouth and throat. The first symptom is usually a sore throat. The gargle will provide relief as well as be hostile to the virus. I also gargle/rinse with a Listerine/hydrogen peroxide blend before bed.
Ayurvedic oil pulling. I do this frequently as it has taken care of so many dental issues for me, from providing immediate relief from a tooth infection that antibiotics couldn’t touch to curing my chronic serious gingivitis. After a recent foray into the outside world, I developed a sore throat and wondered if I had been exposed. I oil pulled and the sore throat went away. I’ll never know if I dodged a bullet but at least I got rid of my sore throat. Basically, I put a spoonful of oil in my mouth and keep it there for at least 20 minutes, swish and spit, and rinse with warm water. I use coconut oil because of it’s anti-microbial properties and because I prefer the taste, but you can use other food-grade oils. Oil pulling for oral hygiene, a review
The virus is not heat tolerant, sun will kill it. I watched a crazy video about breathing hot air from a blow dryer to kill the virus but then thought it actually makes a certain amount of sense. Of course, hydrate so you don’t dry your respiratory system out too much.
Movement and bed position. I watched a video by a doctor discussing this and it was corroborated by a friend who was very ill. Her doctor gave her the same advice and she was able to avoid hospitalization by following it. Think of the quiet, undisturbed environment a petri dish would provide for a virus to replicate. You want to provide the opposite. Laying down in one position without moving is something the virus likes. Sitting up in bed, changing position often, getting up and moving around, thwarts the peace and quiet necessary for replication. The doctor pleaded with my friend to get out of bed and walk around. She forced herself to and recovered. I’ve also read that hospital staff are having more success with their patients by placing them in a prone (on their stomach) position because it increases the oxygen getting to their lungs, as well as making them change position frequently.
Use a humidifier? Most viruses bind to humidity and sink to the ground. This is one of the reasons they thrive in cold dry conditions instead of warm, humid conditions (think winter vs. summer). Having hydrated lungs is always good. So, using a humidifier may be prudent for protection and possibly convalescence.
High altitude living. It is worth noting that I live at close to 10,000 feet in altitude. Being acclimatized to it, I’m like superwoman when I go to lower altitudes. Turns out… being acclimatized to high altitude gives me a potential advantage. It appears to protect from the severe impact of acute Covid-19 infection.
Does the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 virus decrease at high-altitude?

Home-made hand sanitizer

3/4 cup of Everclear (95% pure alcohol) and 1/4 c Aloevera gel. And 10-20 drops of Thieves’ oil, Tea Tree oil, or other antimicrobial essential oil.

Home-made disinfectant (I put it in a spray bottle)

Equal parts: White vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, Everclear (or similar alcohol), water, Dr. Bronner’s liquid pure castile soap, and Borax.

Coronavirus: what I’m doing to protect myself