Work to improve your immunity, control your fear, and experience humor

I asked Dr. Ramey, a Daniel Island resident who is board certified in Immunology and Allergy, to provide five tips on what you can do to improve your immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are his recommendations:

 

1. First and foremost, practice social distancing. Dr. Ramey explains that you should assume that any person you come in contact with may have the virus because carriers can be asymptomatic. The virus is thought to be transferred by droplets, he explains, and attaches itself to fluid like mucus. “It is thought if you touch a contaminated surface then you can spread the virus to your mouth or nose when you touch your face,” he notes. 

 

2. Make sure immunizations are up to date. Dr. Ramey advises that it is important to have a yearly influenza vaccine, explaining that there have been reports of coexisting cases of influenza and COVID-19. He also recommends that if you are over the age of 65 or have certain other medical conditions, you should get a vaccination for strep pneumonia, which is caused by a bacteria.

 

3. Wash your hands. “Your skin is your first immunity barrier for your body,” says Dr. Ramey. He cautions that you should wash your hands multiple times an hour, especially if you touched an object outside of your home. He recommends washing your hands, including fingers, wrists and the backs of your hands, for at least 30 seconds.

 

4. If you have any lung issues like asthma or COPD, get your breathing controlled now. “You don’t want to become infected with COVID-19 and already be having issues with your breathing,” says Dr. Ramey. “Many people are currently having allergy issues with the pollen and it is important to have your allergies controlled.”

 

5. If you have coexisting medical conditions, please continue to take your medications unless instructed by your doctor. Whatever medical conditions you have you want to make sure they are under control currently, Dr. Ramey stresses.  

 

Don’t be overcome by fear

 

Over the weekend I noticed several social media posts on public pages had taken on a tone of hysteria. No doubt, these are scary and trying times. But I encourage you to temper your fear and the words and actions your fear might generate. While we might not be able to push fear away totally, we can take the actions suggested by

 

Dr. Ramey above, by the CDC and other medical providers, and by rules placed upon us by our governing authorities. And, be kind and gentle to your neighbors, remembering that everyone is a little bit on edge.

 

Continue to find a little fun

 

Experiencing a little humor can help squelch the fear. The centerfold story in this week’s edition highlights the efforts of local photographer Peter Finger to capture local “pandemic porch portraits.” Residents happily complied with Finger’s request to pose on their porches while he photographed them at a safe social distance using a telephoto lens. Many of his subjects offered humorous poses and actions.

 

Finger is a regular photo contributor to the paper and was scheduled to shoot the Volvo Car Open’s tennis action that would have happened this week.