First Aid - Page 2 of 2 - Bug Out With Dannelle

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Readiness is all over the news right now, and justifiably so. With the new pandemic on the horizon, it is good to understand a little about it so you can adequately be prepared. Make sure you are ready for the Coronavirus Kind of problem.

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the source of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.

While Fever, Cough, and Shortness of breath might not be a huge issue for most of us, those young, old, and with compromised immunities are the ones having the issues. This has proven fatal for them, and we have seen our first death by this virus on US soil.

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind kleenex and tea on nightstand

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.

Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illnesses. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How to Prevent Coronavirus

There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind woman's hands being washed in sink

Person-to-person spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Coronavirus Symptoms in Dogs?

Viruses rapidly mutate, can cross species, and it might be the case here. We know the common cold can make our feline friends ill, so it wasn’t a surprise to hear that the pet dog of a Coronavirus patient in Hong Kong tested “weak” positive for COVID-19 and has been put in quarantine.

It was not immediately clear if the animal tested positive due to “environmental contamination” of the dog’s mouth and nose. Researchers suspect that COVID-19 spread to humans through an animal, but it was not clear what kind of animal transmitted the disease to people. The virus is now rapidly spreading from person to person.

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind puppy looking sad

What does this mean for your fur babies? Keep an eye on them and make sure you take care of them if they display any respiratory distress.

Should you get a mask?

Save your money. These masks often need 3-4 professional fittings to make sure they are tight enough to the face for the correct results. And ideally? The masks people are running to buy are meant for the people who ARE infected.

It takes that six-foot radius of contagion down to about six inches. Even the CDC suggests healthy people NOT wear a mask, but avoid touching their faces, and wash their hands often.

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind person in mask

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new Coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How easily does the virus spread?

How easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained.

The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind cold and flu suppliles

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product.

The bottom line? Stock up on Chlorox wipes, and use a whole lot of common sense. If you have supplies for the common cold? You should be OK.

Winter Car Survival Kit Tips

Two Means of Emergency Survival in Your Car in Winter Snow

The NSEMO website provides information on winter storm preparedness, including your best chance to survive being stranded in the snow in your car. There are two vital elements of survival. The first is preparation – the supplies to carry in your vehicle during a severe winter – and the second is taking the correct actions to survive in your car while waiting for rescue.

Supplies for Emergency Survival in Your Car in a Snowstorm

Winter Car Survival Kit checklist — This free printable checklist is designed to help you out – and has blank spaces for you to fill in

EMERGENCY-CAR-KIT-CHECKLIST Download

If you are aware of a coming storm, fill your car with gas. During winter, never let the tank go below half full. Here are the supplies suggested by NESEMO, embellished with some extra ideas to make a complete Winter Car Survival Kit:

Store extra clothing in your car, such as mittens that fit over your gloves, warm socks, a ski mask or wool hat, extra sweaters. Think of large size items that you can layer over what you are already wearing. Duplicate or even triplicate clothing items are important, such as snow caps and scarves. You can use the extras if the one you are wearing gets wet.
Wool stocking caps are particularly important, as body heat is quickly lost if the head is not covered. Caps can be layered just as easily as clothing: wear two or three, one over the other.
Blanket(s) or sleeping bag. Probably the only thing that will fit over your coat is a blanket or sleeping bag. Take a weighty, wool blanket or afghan.
Emergency “survival” blankets designed by NASA and made of mylar are said to retain 80% of body heat and are found on numerous websites.
Sturdy walking boots made to stay warm in snow and wet weather, with traction for ice. There are reasonably priced boots available that indicate the temperature they can withstand while still protecting from frostbite.
Keep a store of high-calorie non-perishable foods that can be consumed or melted in the mouth if frozen, such as raisins, chocolate, and energy bars.
Standard Emergency Kit including a flashlight, bright flag, or flares.
Water bottles can be stored in the car and kept from freezing by storing in a small cooler, packed with towels, and covered with the blankets you have on hand. Snow is not a good source of water, because it is 90% air and cools the body temperature as it melts.
The towels are also handy for wiping snow off the seat or drying parts of your body that get wet.
It is not a pleasant subject, but it is advisable to have a simple container with a lid for urine, which will add more warmth to the car. For women, a simple kitchen or auto fluid funnel can be helpful.

Correct Actions for Emergency Survival in a Car Stranded in Snow or Ice

It isn’t always about what is in your Winter Car Survival Kit. “Stranded” implies that it is too far to go for help. In sub-zero temperatures, it can be life-threatening to attempt even a small distance on foot, especially if snow is deep and walking is difficult. Here is a condensed version of what NSEMO recommends:

Stay in your car, except to check periodically to make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with ice or snow and to put up a flag on your antenna or another visible place. In modern cars with no visible antenna, be prepared with something to position a flag.
Turn on your hazard lights. In remote areas, be sure your emergency kit has flares. Light the flares.
Run the engine and heat every ten minutes each hour. When the engine is on, crack a (downwind) window slightly to maintain oxygen.
Turn on your dome light (ceiling light) and not your headlights to save the battery. Or use light from your emergency kit.
Exercise your extremities such as arms, legs, feet, and toes to maintain body heat and circulation.
If there are two people in the car, never sleep at the same time, or you may miss an opportunity for rescuers to find your vehicle.

Blizzard of 1997 Fatalities Due to Lack of Emergency Preparedness

Statistics from the blizzard of 1997 in Colorado and North Dakota, where one would expect people to be prepared, had the highest incidence of death due to winter storms. It was noted that many people did not take the dangers of snow and blizzard conditions seriously enough and drove on the weekend.

Fatalities from being stranded in vehicles were mainly caused by failed attempts to seek help and carbon monoxide poisoning. Males were more likely to die than females at a rate of over two to one.

A possible explanation given was that men might have been more likely to venture out in the storm and more likely to have left the car to seek help.

Emergency Survival in Your Car in a Snowstorm Preparedness and Caution

Common sense and following the advice provided by NSEMO are your best chance for survival in your car in blizzard conditions. Taking winter storm warnings seriously and, if possible, staying indoors, is the most important advice of all, but make sure your Winter Car Survival Kit is in place.

Category: First Aid

Prepping: The Coronavirus Kind