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From a virus in a city in China,
first called an epidemic to what is now a devastating pandemic,
Covid-19 has
swept most of the world in a few short months.The current hope is that
millions can be inoculated against it. But currently this seems to be
taxing the ingenuity of those responsible for its organisation, even
though by 2021 they have had 9 months to devise methods. At 89 I
am one of those who might not recover. If the updates to this
site suddenly cease you will know why !
As of January 2021 there still
appears to
be no way of stopping it and only strict rules of isolation appear to
merely slow the pace of infection. The latest mutations in the UK and
elsewhere appear to be even more infections than the original. The best
description I heard was from a Cambridge scientist who said " Imagine
you are in a room with smoker. Do you involuntarily breathe in (smell)
that smoke ? Well, the droplets upon which the virus moves are
SMALLER than tobacco smoke! It is not surprising that it is easy to
catch.
The greatest problem is its slow incubation, meaning that people unknowingly infect many others before their symptoms appear. In addition, while some have mild symptoms (or possibly none at all and are unaware that they are infected) the affect on many people has been deadly.
This is not confined to people with underlying health conditions such as lung disease, COPD and heart failure but has been disastrous for people of all ages, many of who were hitherto fit.
The treatment has been to attempt
to keep their blood oxygenated by the provision of oxygen or in more
severe cases by artificial means until their own defences can manage
the infection.
What can be done to prevent one becoming yet another casualty to this dreadful disease ?
The most important measure is to
isolate oneself from contact with anyone who might be carrying the
virus.
But if you need to go out,
especially to get food, it is important to realise that the danger lies
in breathing in the virus from the particles of moisture which surround
humans from breathing, coughing, sneezing or merely sweating.
Normally the skin is a good
protection against absorbing there particles. The danger is from
breathing them in but also from introducing them to the mouth, eyes and
nose from infected hands.
The virus is remarkably persistent, especially on hard surfaces such as door handles. So, washing your hand thoroughly is recommended by all the guidelines, especially after touching items which may have been touched by someone who has the disease.
But these items can include
almost anything they touch. So, even though you may isolated
yourself, you cannot avoid handling things left on your doorstep.
Although you can wash things like milk bottles, for items that do not
have to be used immediately it is advisable to store them for a period
of time AND wash your hands after touching them - even cardboard
boxes.
Best to treat everything 'out
there' as if it had been spayed liberally with Novichok !
What about face masks
?
Whilst the majority of the world is putting their faith in wearing masks, the advice in the UK has (up until 17th April) that they are not effective, although they are recommended for people who have to deal with infected people, such as hospital staff and care workers.
The only comparative study I have
seen of people who had the disease did not any conclusive evidence that
it prevented them from spreading the virus. It also suggested that it
gave people a false sense of security. The jury is still out on this.
The scientist who have been
consulted appear not to have distinguished between being infected and
infecting others. Although the consensus has been that medically
approved face masks, along with face shields and gowns are vital to
such workers, home made masks are unlikely to stop the virus that you
might breath in. But there is the 'untested' notion that almost
anything would reduce the virus laden moisture that you might breathe
out (or cough or sneeze).
I have no opinion either way. But there is an inevitable shortage of masks (and face shields). So, if you think it might help, here are a few links I have found to videos of people making their own.
Most require sewing. In the absence of the expensive machines shown one could obviously do the same by hand.
There are so many examples
This one shows testing for
leakage https://youtu.be/DZBbkn-g-vE
https://youtu.be/kA99Y3oDLpc With a filter pocket
https://youtu.be/Rp8GzAC1YR8
Fancy patterns and a loop to hang it round your neck
https://youtu.be/1V3SLUHIJ5A
Another fairly meticulous demonstration with elastic bands or tapes
https://youtu.be/ZnVk12sFRkY
A sewn mask with filter and adhesive (not loops for ears
https://youtu.be/e-vIyLMgUhg Making a healthcare mask with a special filter pocket
https://youtu.be/-t_Gz3lGwF8 includes a useful tip for making a stiffened nose piece
https://youtu.be/2UejCpjfbn8 A simplified mask with filter pocket
and non elastic ties made from T shirt material
She suggests two layers of
cloth. The cloth is twisted then slipped over the ears,
A disposable mask from a paper
napkin and a couple of thin rubber bands. I have made
these. They take about 20 minutes.
Open out the paper napkin. Fold
it 'concertina' style with approximately 1.5" folds. add the rubber
bands to each end. folding them in and stapling them with an office
stapler. I used two staples to hold the bands.
For men or women with short hair I found it easiest to tie the ribber
bands with a short piece of string. The mask can then be put over
the head and the folds spread out from chin to the bridge of your nose.
It is surprising strong. The paper did not tear.
This mask has no filter mesh but
it might help to prevent you spreading anything from breathing,
sneezing or coughing .
Here is a detailed video of making a
similar one :https://youtu.be/usKgChGqVl0
FACE SHIELDS https://youtu.be/1KvfyU1aRX4 Making your own
For people with a more hair (!) ribbons can be stapled instead of rubber bands.
But, I have found the easiest is to have elastic
bands and have it slung round my neck in readiness.
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