[Darield]

I read a response to a post saying we all know what to do to lessen our chances of getting the virus and from what I have read, in my opinion, that is a highly flawed statement.

First, the point of the news outlets is to terrify us and keep us watching. They have their advertisers to answer to. The drama is mind boggling and instills panic.

Second, the information on cotton masks is wildly erratic. Not only are there varying opinions about the effectiveness of the material but then there is a whole host of opinions about washing them.

The point is we are just trying to flatten the curve with masks and social distancing. No one is talking about how we can increase our immune systems and focus on our health. Are we so busy judging everyone else for their behavior that we barely have time to focus on how we can help ourselves? Did you eat 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables and get a half hour of exercise yesterday? Everyday? There are many supplements that have been studied for a long time concerning helping us to raise our immune systems. Are you taking any of these supplements or are you researching how you can be healthier?
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Third, we can’t stay locked in for 12-18 months until a vaccine is developed. There are a lot of medical experts talking about the way to stop the virus is through Herd Immunity until a vaccine is developed. Keep the vulnerable locked in and let the healthy work. Many will get very mild to medium cases and then be immune. In any case, people are going to die, but the goal is to lower the number by reducing the threat not delaying the outcome. There is some talk about people can get re-infected, but this is again very controversial and not proven.

Who am I to discuss this? I have a Master’s degree in science with one of my specialties in Biology and Nutrition and my daughter has one of her BA’s in nutrition and works as a nutritional educator.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Yes, we really do know some things that can "lessen our chances" (otherwise known as "risk reduction" to actual professonals who know what they're talking about).

We also know that there is no immunity to a virus that has never before existed. You have to be exposed to something, in order to develop an immunity to it. This is not an influenza virus. It is a coronavirus. Boosting your immune system with supplements and eating right isn't going to reduce your risk of catching this. There have been healthy people, who were NOT immuno-compromised, who have died from this virus.

The converse of this is not as clear-cut. If you are immuno-compromised, your risk of dying as a result of getting sick is higher, than it is if you are not. But your risk of catching it in the first place is no different.

Keeping your distance, wearing a mask if you're unable to keep your distance, avoiding people who you know are already sick, and wearing AND disposing of disposable gloves if you have to touch things that you know other people have touched - are all valid methods of risk reduction.

ANY mask is better than no mask, with regards to risk reduction. It is not risk-preventative. Just reduction. If you want to be guaranteed no risk at all, then stay inside, and hire someone else to do your shopping - make sure THEY are wearing a mask when they do the shopping, and pay with touchless methods (like apple pay or electronic transfer).

[Darield]

You have made a lot of statements that are not necessarily true. The “experts” that I am listening to are often saying they don’t have a lot of the answers. Statements you have made as fact, when you do the research, often have conflicting reports. Although this is a new virus, it is in a same family as 3 other viruses including SARS and MERS. A lot of studies are looking at our immune response using other Corona viruses. There are also a number of studies done on immune responses to Covid-19. I have provided links (and could provide numerous more) to support the importance of nutrition and building our immune system as well as information on the Corona Virus family.
Coronavirus | Human Coronavirus Types | CDC
Scientists identify potential targets for immune responses to novel coronavirus: Their analysis provides essential information for vaccine design and the evaluation of diagnostics and vaccine candidates -- ScienceDaily
Opinion | Who Is Immune to the Coronavirus? - The New York Times
Stock up on these 9 healthy foods to boost your immune system during coronavirus
https://theconversation.com/5-ways-n...es/PMC4125530/

[Klatu]

I am not scientist, but it seems to me that social distancing is more to protect others from us than the reverse. Washing hands and not touching faces is to protect us. Does good nutrition help? Always. Does exercise? Always. Will it keep us from getting the virus? Not completely. However, there is so much we do not know about the virus that it is very dangerous to assume we know everything we need to know. Only when it is over will we know for sure. And that is some ways off.

Herd immunity the answer? Sweden is trying that; let's see how that plays out. Antibody testing? Very important. It could show us if we have been infected, have shown no symptoms, and are likely immune. That too is down the road.

Let's just stick with this a little longer. Be prudent. It won't kill us to social distance and stay close to home. Some areas in the country are going to be able to reopen their interactions, especially businesses, pretty quickly. We can't set the same dates and restrictions for everyone in the nation. If South Dakota can reopen, except in a couple of counties, let the local leaders decide. We do not want to throw our nation into a prolonged depression needlessly

And realize not everyone is working for our best interests. The press feasts on death, mayhem and the end of the world. Rosy predictions do not attract eyeballs; catastrophes do. And crises are perfect opportunities for scoundrels posing as politicians to accrue power, expand government and spend money like drunken sailors. We need to be prudent and wise and don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Klatu

I am not scientist, but it seems to me that social distancing is more to protect others from us than the reverse. Washing hands and not touching faces is to protect us. Does good nutrition help? Always. Does exercise? Always. Will it keep us from getting the virus? Not completely. However, there is so much we do not know about the virus that it is very dangerous to assume we know everything we need to know. Only when it is over will we know for sure. And that is some ways off.

Herd immunity the answer? Sweden is trying that; let's see how that plays out. Antibody testing? Very important. It could show us if we have been infected, have shown no symptoms, and are likely immune. That too is down the road.

Let's just stick with this a little longer. Be prudent. It won't kill us to social distance and stay close to home. Some areas in the country are going to be able to reopen their interactions, especially businesses, pretty quickly. We can't set the same dates and restrictions for everyone in the nation. If South Dakota can reopen, except in a couple of counties, let the local leaders decide. We do not want to throw our nation into a prolonged depression needlessly

And realize not everyone is working for our best interests. The press feasts on death, mayhem and the end of the world. Rosy predictions do not attract eyeballs; catastrophes do. And crises are perfect opportunities for scoundrels posing as politicians to accrue power, expand government and spend money like drunken sailors. We need to be prudent and wise and don't jump to conclusions too quickly.

In order for herd immunity to be effective, around 70% of the population has to be immune. So now we just have to find out how many people are immune, and we can plan for the future.

Sadly, there's no way to test 100% of the population to find out if 70% of them are immune, at the present time. Once a vaccine is developed, you could potentially create 70% immunity as long as 70% of the population agrees to be vaccinated.

None of that is going to happen in the next month. So in the meantime, you need to wash your hands, don't touch your face, social distance yourself, wear a mask if you can't social distance, and cough into your elbow if you have to cough and are near other people.

[Darield]

I hope by using the term “Lessen” in my title, I wasn’t implying that I was saying we could avoid getting the virus. I agree that we should continue social distancing and hand washing. I did want to make the point that I see very little written about the importance of good nutrition and exercise. It will be a long time before we know why so many have very few if any symptoms but there is a lot of research concerning the importance of increasing our immune systems through diet and exercise. I thought these articles were interesting.

COVID-19: The immune system can fight back -- ScienceDaily
"We showed that even though COVID-19 is caused by a new virus, in an otherwise healthy person, a robust immune response across different cell types was associated with clinical recovery, similar to what we see in influenza," Professor Kedzierska said.

How to boost your immune system - Harvard Health

[Velvet]

Building your immunity is always a good idea. Even if you do get the virus. It’ll help your chances of recovery. It’ll help you to fight other diseases.

[ladyarwen3]

I agree that the major news networks are sensationalizing the virus thing, but I also have seen several things about ways to keep healthy in these uncertain times. ( I watch local news from back north, Washington DC local news, and others).

My biggest concern is that there will not be an effective immunity to COVID 19. Just because someone has developed antibodies, doesn't mean they are immune. The NIH is still researching how long any immunity will last. For example, for some diseases, immunity is lifelong, and in others its only a few weeks. Too much is not known about this new virus, So I will wear a mask and avoid people who are NOT wearing one to reduce my chances of developing it.
I will wait, NOT for a vaccine, but for more effective treatment modalities, before I will feel comfortable in large crowds again.

[Bay Kid]

Flu shots don't stop people from passing from the flu. Something is going on that smells fishy.

[davem4616]

-Who am I to discuss this? I have a Master’s degree in science with one of my specialties in Biology and Nutrition and my daughter has one of her BA’s in nutrition and works as a nutritional educator.[/QUOTE]


I don't disagree with everything that you've posted...however,
with all due respect, all your degree means is that you tested well 40 years ago

tell me what you accomplished with that specialty over the years and I'll have a better idea whether you're a subject matter expert / leader in the field

BTW - Okay you're a proud papa, and rightly so...however, no matter what your daughter has studied/done adds little to your personal credibility, even if you talk often and she coaches you on nutrition

I have a master's degree, my son has his masters, he's won 6 Emmys, been nominated about 9 times....created 3 TV shows, written a couple of movies...we talk a lot....but even after listening to all he has to say about writing, I still can't get a simple limerick printed in The Daily Sun. Go figure huh?

[hrenner]

Trump says his Uncle is a scientist, so "this stuff comes easy to me. Unlike most people, I get it"
So it must matter what your relatives have done.

Originally Posted by davem4616

-Who am I to discuss this? I have a Master’s degree in science with one of my specialties in Biology and Nutrition and my daughter has one of her BA’s in nutrition and works as a nutritional educator.

I don't disagree with everything that you've posted...however,
with all due respect, all your degree means is that you tested well 40 years ago

tell me what you accomplished with that specialty over the years and I'll have a better idea whether you're a subject matter expert / leader in the field

BTW - Okay you're a proud papa, and rightly so...however, no matter what your daughter has studied/done adds little to your personal credibility, even if you talk often and she coaches you on nutrition

I have a master's degree, my son has his masters, he's won 6 Emmys, been nominated about 9 times....created 3 TV shows, written a couple of movies...we talk a lot....but even after listening to all he has to say about writing, I still can't get a simple limerick printed in The Daily Sun. Go figure huh?[/QUOTE]

[Waltdisney4life]

Thank you finally a post without hate!

[Two Bills]

I passed my School Bicycling Proficiency Test, and was a Hall Moniter for several years!

[mulligan]

Would the message be better received if the term was anti-social distancing ? That is the message right ? Who am I to discuss this ? I slept in a Holiday Inn express last night.

[donassaid]

If you want to read about the real agenda of the Covid 19 virus, read the editorial in today's newspaper (Tuesday). Day by day we are losing our freedoms in this country and becoming a totalitarian state.