One of the biggest worries with regard to Coronavirus-covid-19 is the older generation and many Grey Nomads fall into this category. As a Grey Nomads we need to become familiar with the virus and exactly how we can help ourselves before it hits our area. In particular if you have any respiratory problem, such as COPD, or are on a CPAP machine, or regularly get asthma or breathing difficulties you need to make sure you are the healthiest you can be. The symptoms are cough, fever and breathing difficulties. Diet and exercise can be your first target to give yourself the best chance of avoiding or surviving this virus. You need to get your immune system working well!
DON’T PANIC: As a grey nomad you are probably better situated than anyone else in Australia as you can move now and head west, or south, or just hide in a free camp. The panic on food is not a panic when you have your fishing rod and are near a stream in the middle of nowhere. However you can start doing some regular clean ups to make sure your little caravan or RV is clean and you can start working on your diet and exercise to make sure you have the best of health now.
CLEAN YOUR AREA: You can minimise the spread of germs by cleaning all the surfaces that are regularly touched and keep them clean. Surfaces such as rails, door knobs, light switches and bathrooms and kitchens need to be cleaned regularly with disinfectant. If you have to use a public toilet at a caravan park, wear disposable gloves and take the alcohol based anti-bacterial hand sanitiser with you and try not to touch anything. Hand sanitiser must contain at least 60 percent alcohol and you should apply for 20 seconds.
HAND WASHING: Learn how to wash your hands properly and frequently. When we learned to wash hands we found germs were left particularly around the nails and in between fingers. So many germs can be remaining in these corners and you think they are clean. So learn how to lather up the soap and wash for at least 20 seconds making sure you do not miss the backs of your hands, between your fingers or under your nails and around the edges of your nails (sing happy birthday twice and you should be done). If you do not know how to be thorough when hand washing, then look up a uTube video on cleaning hands. Hand washing should be done before and after eating and after going to the toilet and any other time you feel you need.
COUGHING: If you are coughing, cough into your elbow. Do not spread your germs by coughing into the space in front of you as your germs become airborne. Dispose of tissues into a bin and do not leave them build up beside the bed or on the floor.
GET A FLU SHOT: The last thing you want is to get the flu along with the virus. Make sure you make an appointment with your doctor and get the needle as soon as possible.
MOVE: Put your caravan or RV in a country area that is free from the disease and you can do it now before the problem hits Australia. If you are able to free camp then that may allow you to get right out of town. Stay in touch with your family by email or telephone and tell them regularly how you are. If you are not feeling the best then you need to be near a hospital or someone that can help you get to care. Staying in a caravan park will mean you will need to stay inside or away from others.
DO SOME SHOPPING NOW: Make yourself a shopping list of all you need, such as: masks for your face (you can buy them at Bunnings), cleaning products, disposable gloves, sanitisers, disinfectant, wipes, and any medical products you might want. Before I left for China some years ago I filled my bag with cold and flu tablets, diarrhea tablets, antibiotics, cough syrup, tissues, and anything else I thought I might need. I had people on the trip knocking on my door begging for tablets when they all caught serious chest infections. Remember, if you are going to cough or sneeze cover your mouth and dispose of all tissues. Remember you again need to use the hand sanitiser.
AVOID CLOSE CONTACT: Avoid kissing, touching or any intimate contact with others and wear your mask. Particularly if you have grandchildren or family who have been out and about. You need to keep your circle to minimum contact with the outside. Avoid visitors and activities with large numbers of people and do not travel on public transport. If someone is coughing near you …MOVE. I found I always caught a cold when I travelled overseas by plane and when I travelled to work in Brisbane on the train. Being locked in places with other people is never good, particularly if there are germs going around.
ACTIVITIES: Line up some activities to do at home if you cannot go out. Living in a caravan you should have quite a number of things already such as iPad or computer games, or board games. I think we even played poker the other night.
WORK: If you are working do not go to work if you are feeling unwell. If someone at work is looking unwell move away from them and suggest they go home. You need to be a few metres away from a sick person.
THE MASK: If you are well you do not need to wear a mask around home. The centres for Disease Control and Prevention say that most masks are too loose to stop you getting the virus, however they are an effective method of stopping the virus being passed on. The most effective masks are N95/P2 masks which block 95 percent of very small particles. You can find masks in Bunnings.
HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES: Make sure you have enough essential supplies for the house. In particular make sure you have 30 days of your prescriptions and food supply for the month. You can get your shopping delivered and left outside your door.
So far in Australia today we have 23 cases, but with the virus spreading around the world the Australian Government has put out a health alert. Make sure you stay up to date with how that infection spreads and what areas you need to avoid. May we all remain healthy.
So what does the virus do…
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness caused caused by a virus. Symptoms range from a mid level cough to pneumonia. Evidence shows it spreads from person to person and good hygiene can prevent infection (Australian Department of Health 2020)