Quoting the Scriptures, “Do not be troubled; do not be afraid” (John 14: 27), Wilson said that it is religion that people turn to for reassurance. He went on to say that during a pandemic, more than half of the population is home sick, including doctors, nurses, hospital personnel, police and firefighters, ambulance drivers, teachers and others that we normally turn to. He encouraged the ministers to prepare the members of their churches to help each other in dire circumstances with food supplies, medical supplies, transportation and the comfort of prayer and support. It is even possible that they may have to take the place of the pastor!
The word “pandemic” comes from the name of the Roman god Pan, who inspired sudden fear in lonely places and claimed credit for the victory of the gods because he had inspired disorder and fear in their attackers. The word panic describes these emotions. Of course, Pan was later known for his music, capable of arousing inspiration or panic, depending on his intentions. Since 1918, when 40 million died of Spanish Flu worldwide, several other epidemics have killed thousands of people around the globe; e.g., the Asian flu in 1957-58 that killed one to two million and the H-K flu in 1968-9 that killed 700,000 worldwide.
Today 1800 have died worldwide from H1N1 or Swine Flu. More are dying every day, and the flu season has barely begun here. The reason a pandemic has been predicted is that the disease is showing up worldwide, and large clusters of human-to-human infection are occurring.
H1N1 is spread by human contact. It is not airborne. A doorknob or anything an infected person touches can pass the virus to another person. Wilson told us that the suggestion to wear a mask is not to prevent airborne particles from being inhaled, but to prevent a person from sticking his or her fingers in their mouth, nose or eyes. We do that without thinking all the time!
Ways to prevent the Swine Flu
The portals of entry are the nostrils, eyes, and mouth. In a global epidemic of this nature, it is almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much the problem—proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu®).
- Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
- “Hands-off-the-face” approach--resist all temptations to touch any part of your face.
- Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use mouthwash if you don’t trust salt). H1N1 takes two to three days after initial infection in the throat and nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu® has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
- Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
- Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
