When United Healthcare sent out a general bulletin including the background, symptoms, and risks of swine flu to all its members this morning, it got me thinking about this modern-day would-be-plague. When my buddy Colter out in Austin Texas mentioned the first local case of swine flu at the HEB where he does his grocery shopping, well, that kicked me into action.
Given the gravity of the current epidemic, wouldn’t the ultimate life hack be avoiding this cross-species superbug?
While Liza recommends dressing pigs in lab coats to prevent them from infecting one another or possibly marinating bacon in liquor, I’m going to try to recommend a few more practical things that will help you dramatically reduce your chances of contracting the swine plague.
- According to James M. Steckelberg, M.D., a flu virus can live on a contaminated surface for up to 48 hours. That’s a really freakin’ long time. Suspect everything you touch.
- Alcohol based hand-sanitizers will kill 99.9% of viruses on contact, including Swine Flu. Consider keeping alcohol wipes in your pocket and using them on things like grocery cart handles and drink bottles from public places.
- Also, keep a bottle of sanitizer around and wash your hands with it every time you have touched a door knob or surface in a public place. This includes public computer keyboards. The alcohol will dry out sensitive skin so also keep a bottle of hand cream nearby if you are prone to that sort of thing.
- Viruses cannot penetrate the skin. They require contact with mucus membranes, airways, or your digestive system. If you have not washed & sanitized your hands since leaving a clean area, do not touch your eyes, mouth, or nose. I’m not kidding, I don’t care how badly your face itches. Resist the urge. No. Really. Resist it.
- If things really get bad and you are in a high risk area, face masks can help avoid airborne infection. Unfortunately, airborne of the Walgreens variety may not do you any good against a bug as uber as this one.
- If someone does have swine flu, they can give it to others starting about 24 hours before developing symptoms and will remain contagious for about seven days. If swine flu has been reported in your area, consider not eating out at restaurants until the epidemic has passed. Avoid eating raw foods and cook everything you make at home. Viruses cannot survive high temperatures.
- Finally, it is worth noting that according to the Mayo clinic, smooth surfaces will allow a flu virus to remain active longer than porous ones. In other words, a virus will live far longer on a door knob or revolving door handle than on, say, a wood desk. STAY SANITIZED!
So to recap: Hand sanitizer is your friend, don’t touch your damn face, and avoid crowded places in public where you are likely to get breathed, sneezed, or coughed on. Do not eat at restaurants once outbreaks have been reported in your area.
Confirmed/Suspected Swine Flu Cases
For more information on what, exactly, the Swine Flu is, you can check out the Mayo Clinic’s website on the subject right here. As far as hand sanitizers go, I am fond of the Method scents.
Stay healthy!
Update: 4/30/2009
Today I noted that the bankers at First Republic have all been given alcohol-based hand sanitizers for their desks. The complimentary cookies are all wrapped in wax paper. It would seem businesses are beginning to take this threat seriously.
Update: 4/30/2009
The Moderate Voice ran a good piece on Swine Flu.
Update: 5/1/2009
Cruise ships bound for Mexico are being diverted to other ports including San Francisco!
Two Carnival cruise ships docked in SF
