Combating Coronavirus like a Terror Threat

I usually advise families on how to take care of themselves from acts of violence such as terror attacks, mass-shootings, assaults, and so on. However, I’ve recently been asked by several clients about how to combat the dangers of coronavirus. I am not a medical professional, and my advice to clients does not replace that of a medical doctor or our public health officials. I use the same process to combat the coronavirus as I do for any other dangerous threat. That process has served me and those in my charge well through many conflicts and threatening situations. The process is:

• Prepare by doing research, planning, and equipping.
• Remain vigilant.
• Making prudent decisions as a situation unfolds.
• Monitor the situation until the threat and its secondary effects pass.

The below guidance is based on that process and on what we know at this point about coronavirus.

The measures America has taken thus far have given us some time to make sure we are as prepared as possible. Like safety from violence, I count on the government to help through policies and general assistance. However, I ultimately and primarily rely on myself and my family for our protection.

There are things we can do now while the threat is negligible here, but at the same time, we should each prepare for what we will do if the situation becomes worse.

But, before we dive into specific measures, I’d like to relay a story I got today from a client with a daughter studying in Europe. In my instruction on preventing assaults on women, I teach that it is okay to be rude in certain circumstances. Let’s say a woman is carrying bags outside a store. A stranger approaches and offers to help with her bags. It is perfectly fine for her, in no uncertain terms, to tell him no. I too sometimes offer to help women with bags, but if it makes her nervous and she tells me no, I respect it and move away to give her space. A woman should be very suspicious of anyone that persists in trying to help after she says no.

My client’s daughter had that training. But just last night, she encountered an acquaintance that had just left Italy due to the virus. When he held his arms out to hug her, she informed him she was not hugging people at this point due to the virus. He persisted her with “come on..” and she relented so as not to be rude, only to feel some drops of spittle as he coughed while hugging her. To protect yourself and your family in a time of threat from this virus, let your no be no and allow yourself the luxury of being rude. At least until the dangers of coronavirus are in the past.

First, here are some prudent things we should all do now before the outbreak becomes widespread in America:

• Stay rested
• Stay hydrated
• Eat healthy and well, especially breakfast!
• Incorporate frequent hand washing with warm water and soap per day. Each should be at least 15–20 seconds in duration. Do not rely primarily on antimicrobial wipes.
• Limit touching surfaces in public spaces, such as doors handles, desks, and computers. When exposed to them, wash hands with warm water and soap as soon as possible.
• Add some distance to our personal spaces. In public venues, add three more feet (at least) to the range you remain from people as you engage them. (Give the droplets room to fall to the ground before hitting you.) The CDC recommends staying six feet from a contaminated person.
• When you arrive home from being in public, wash exposed skin of arms, face, neck, etc..
• Consider removing clothes worn in public and placing them in a plastic bag until washed and dried or sent out for cleaning. Wash the clothes before letting them touch your other clean clothes in a closet or drawer.
• Masks are optional. I would not wear one unless I suspect people around me are contaminated. I will carry one to be handy in case I need it.
• Stock up on food and necessities (3 to 4 weeks worth) to limit going to public places during an outbreak and to beat the rush on stores.
• Tell the kids not to use water fountains.

In choosing what enhanced measures, if any, you wish to employ during an outbreak, do your homework.

• Learn what the school and workplace plans are in the event the virus becomes rampant in your area. Some schools may close; others may choose to bring in substitute teachers so they can break the classes down into smaller groups. Thus, if a student becomes positive, it limits the number requiring quarantine.
• Have your schools developed plans to continue lessons online during a viral outbreak?
• What measures will your employer use? Can you work from home for a few weeks?
• Consider who has access to your home and their risk for exposure to the virus. Any persons entering to visit or work should agree to adhere to the defensive measures you set.

Once you assess the risk of contamination by the above steps and questions, you can decide what you want to do in the event of a severe outbreak in your area.

One option for dealing with an outbreak is to continue with your regular routines incorporating the above measures. That means accepting that if we have a pandemic, contamination has a good chance of reaching your family. That is not the end of the world. Some of your family may show barely any symptoms at all, some will have typical flu symptoms, and some may get very sick. This virus affects the respiratory system and may not have the associated fever and pains from other flus.

Many families may choose to ride out the outbreak. I would not be overly concerned unless there are members of your household that are either elderly, infants, or persons with compromised or suppressed immune systems. Choosing to ride out any pandemic does not negate the need to be examined by medical professionals if symptoms are severe, or it becomes difficult to breathe. Keep in mind that professionals may be overwhelmed during a severe outbreak. If you choose to maintain a routine close to what is normal, limit outside public activities to those essential. In this option, adults continue to go to work, and kids continue to go to school.

A second option is a self-quarantine in your home. Essential measures are:

• Kids stay home from school; adults work from home.
• No outside vendors or visitors to the house unless it is an emergency. If they do come in, require masks and gloves, and maintain a distance from them. Clean any surfaces they are against after they leave.
• Speak with your doctor and get an anti-viral medicine in advance to keep at home.
• Load up on cleaning supplies and clean surfaces with soap and water and disinfectants several times a day.
• Wash outer surfaces of food with soap and warm water and rinse off. Buy sealed food to the greatest extent possible.

A third option would be to self-quarantine at a place other than where you reside. You could drive or fly somewhere where the flu had not arrived or was not severe and stay with relatives, at a resort, or perhaps you own a vacation home. You can self-quarantine virtually anywhere where the flu is not pervasive, where you can get food and services without venturing into public spaces often.

This option requires arrangements with employers and schools but offers the best isolation from contamination. I would follow the same guidelines as self-quarantine at home. You may be able to get out in public more if there are no cases in that area. However, I would remain isolated in a space where I controlled access and cleanliness to the greatest extent possible.

If you were going to travel away, I would do so as early as possible before or during the early stages of an outbreak. If possible, send someone ahead to stock up on food, cleaning supplies, and entertainment items. Remember, you are going to remain there for a few weeks. I would plan to stay there until health officials say it is safe to return to your place of residence.

Monitor infected family members carefully after the flu has passed. The coronavirus leaves those that have recovered from it susceptible to pneumonia. Scientists are still learning a lot about this new virus, and I expect more guidelines to come out from health officials as they learn more. Follow their recommendations as they develop.

Conclusion:

Any of these options we discussed will work. For me and my life, I am leaning towards Option 1. If my two little girls were living with me and it gets bad here, I might shift to Option 2. I am working with my siblings to plan for Option 2 or 3 with my elderly mom, who would not do well if she contracted the virus.

The best choice for you and your family depends on what suits your lifestyle and your level of tolerance for the anxiety that will come no matter what you choose. The best thing we all can do is stay rested, washed, eat well, and have a positive outlook that we convey to others.

Good luck, and God bless us all.