References:

• Stanford Hospital
• Immunologist Dr. Ahvie Herskowitz

Most of us will never know we've been exposed since testing for asymptomatic persons is not yet available. It is very likely that many more people have been exposed and remain asymptomatic carriers. Since quarantines are not easily implemented in the USA, people are likely at a higher risk for exposure over the next 3-6 weeks. Prevention and heightening immunity are our best strategies.

How can someone prevent getting infected?

1. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
2. Wearing gloves outside the house is a good idea.
3. Practice "social distancing". Avoid attending venues with large crowds (sporting events, concerts, shopping centers, movie theaters, religious events), and stay at least 6 feet from other people.

4. If someone sneezes with it, it can go about ten feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

   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 a bacterial soap.

   On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent will kill it.

   This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.

5. Excellent advice from Japanese doctors treating COVID-19 cases:

   Everyone should ensure your mouth and throat are moist, never dry. Take a dew sips of water every 15 minutes at least. Why? Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids will wash them down through your throat and into the stomach. Once there, your stomach acid will kill all the virus. If you don't drink enough water more regularly, the virus can enter your windpipe and into the lungs. That's very dangerous.

   Drinking hot or warm water/tea is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.

6. You should gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.

7. Activities to boost your immune system. Most people are relatively immunosuppresed due to a lifestyle that increases inflammation in the body, resulting in levels of their Natural Killer Cells (a type of White Blood Cell) being lower than they should be.

   Keep Vitamin D levels up, to heighten levels of Natural Killer Cells.

   Take Vitamin C, to prevent and/or combat viral infections.

8. Can't emphasize enough - drink plenty of water!

Please see this document for more information.