Where did the coronavirus come from?
The origin of the virus which has caused the current global pandemic remains elusive. Bats are considered the most likely source of the virus, but some researchers believe it came from pangolins, small scaly anteaters. Both animals are illegally trafficked for food and non-traditional medicine in China and other Asian countries. These two animals are the only known animals to carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, similar to the COVID-19. These animals probably provided the bridge allowing the virus to jump from animals to humans. NOTE: Costa Rica also has a rampant illegal wild animal trafficking problem with iguanas, tapirs, nutria, paca, pangolins, and many more.

What is the best way to wash my hands and house to protect my family?
Experts believe that soap and water is the best way to remove any potential coronavirus from your hands before it can lead to infection. Coronavirus does not penetrate through skin. Soap works well because its chemistry pries open the coronavirus’ exterior and causes it to degrade. Soap molecules then trap tiny bits of the virus, which are washed away with water. Hand sanitizers work by busting apart the virus proteins, rendering them impotent. Experts say using bleach is overkill and may lead to other respiratory problems if inhaled regularly over time. NOTE: Studies show that the thumb tends to be overlooked during hand washing – don’t forget to scrub your thumb which is used anytime you pick anything up.

Is Loss of Smell really an indication of having the virus? Loss of taste?
Many COVID-19 patients who are otherwise asymptomatic report having a loss of sense of smell, or sometimes loss of sense of taste. Is this a telltale sign in those with no other symptoms? The three hallmark symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Loss of smell appears to be yet another key symptom to watch for in those not yet extremely ill, or not ill at all. Researchers state that 80% of COVID-19 patients will have only mild or negligible symptoms. Loss of smell could indicate you are positive for the infection.

Is it possible to get COVID-19 twice, or does one time give you immunity?
Because the testing for COVID-19 has been so random and incomplete, we barely know how many people have it for a first time. It is not certain whether one can get COVID-19 more than once, evidence is only anecdotal thus far. There are some viruses in the coronavirus family, such as the ones that cause the common cold, that CAN produce short-term immunity. According to Dr. Albert Rizo of the American Lung Association, “How well individuals develop immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is only going to be able to be assessed in the weeks to months ahead as individuals who survive the severe infection, or those with more mild diseases are evaluated with regard to the presence of effective antibodies.” Dr. Rizo feels that using plasma from survivors shows potential for a treatment against severe COVID-19.

Does Vitamin D really help protect against the coronavirus?
There is a rumor that Vitamin D helps avoid the risk of catching COVID-19. With so many people hunkering down at home during the pandemic, with less exposure to the sun, taking a Vitamin D supplement seems to make sense. A 2017 study found that those taking daily or weekly Vitamin D supplements reduced their risk of developing a respiratory tract infection, but only if they were Vitamin D deficient before beginning the regimen. According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the foremost authority on COVID-19 to date, “Taking Vitamin D isn’t an excuse not to be obsessive about hand-washing and fanatical about social distancing.”

DONT FORGET TO WASH YOUR THUMBS

About the Author :