How to Survive the Plague

So, we’re in the midst of a global viral pandemic. Want to survive it? So do I.

Unless you live in New Zealand, Hawaii, or on another island that has successfully managed to contain COVID-19, then it’s up to you to do what you can to prevent getting the virus and passing it on.

But even if you do everything right, there’s a still a good chance you’ll be exposed. So what can you do to mitigate the chance of infection, and the severity of any illness?

Reduce Transmission

The basics, as confirmed by infectious disease specialists around the world:

• Wear a mask when within six feet of people outside of your bubble, especially when indoors
• Reduce time indoors and in close proximity with others, even when wearing masks
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Try not to touch your face

Transmission outdoors appears to be low, as does transmission via most surfaces. Sharing air up close without masks is the riskiest behavior.

Understand Your Risk

The more vulnerable you are, the more of the above precautions you should take. The main areas of vulnerability appear to be:

• Age (65 or older are most at risk)
• Underlying conditions (asthma, cardiovascular disease, and many other conditions)
• Blood type (blood type O has an approximately 50% reduced rate of serious illness, blood type A is more vulnerable)
• Nutritional status (see below)

Avoid Specific Nutritional Deficiencies

Severe COVID-19 illness is mostly the result of an overactive response of the innate immune system (cytokine storm). Nutritional status appears to influence this.

• Vitamin D status is inversely correlated with severe COVID-19 illness. Supplementing with vitamin D3 may be helpful, but moderate sun exposure has additional immune regulating effects independent of vitamin D.
• Vitamin C (2g or more daily may improve outcomes with active Covid-19 infection)
• Poor vitamin K2 status is associated with lung fibrosis in patients with severe COVID-19. Supplemental vitamin K2 is inexpensive, safe, and may be helpful in controlling blood pressure and preventing or even reversing soft tissue calcification.
• Updated Nov. 2020 Niacin/nicotinamide (prevent lung tissue damage, reduce viral replication)
• Updated Nov. 2020 Zinc (short duration/severity of illness, inhibit replication of RNA viruses including coronaviruses) — use zinc citrate or OptiZinc, not zinc picolinate or zinc oxide

Unknown but Possibly Helpful

While there’s not yet any evidence to support any of the following for mitigating COVID-19 illness, these supplements and foods support general health and may mitigate risk.

• Fish oil, up to 4 grams a day for adults (may mitigate blood clotting associated with COVID-19, as well as modulate the immune system to prevent cytokine storm)
• Garlic (broad antiviral properties)
• Sage (broad antiviral properties)
• Updated Sep. 2020 Nattokinase (fibronolytic/clot-busting properties)

Please do your best to stay healthy and to keep other people in your community healthy.