The other day I needed bleach, I was out and I like to go over my floor with a drop or two of bleach in the cleaning solution. I have little dogs and I like to keep everything germ free. I have to tell you, bleach is sold out at a lot of places. I texted my friend Betsy about this discovery and she said “there is no Purell either anywhere” WAIT, WHAT!!!!!!! How do these people know to stockpile this stuff and we didn’t? Besty was right….NOT ONE SINGLE BOTTLE OF HAND SANITIZER ANYWHERE!!!! Are we going to be the only ones who get the Virus because we don’t have any HAND SANITIZER? DO NOT WORRY>>>>>>>>>we are going to able to make our own. It’s very easy, everything is readily available and it is very effective…

adapted from Wikihow.com

Gather your ingredients. This sanitizer closely emulates the commercial kind, without all the chemicals and without the bad smell. Hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing; just use it when you really need it. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or witch hazel ,or if you cannot find these, you can use VODKA!!!! Yes VODKA)
• 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel
• 8 to 10 drops essential oil, such as lavender, cinnamon, or peppermint
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Funnel
• Plastic containers

Mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in the bowl. Pour the ingredients into the bowl and use the spoon to mix them together well. The mixture should be completely smooth.^[2]

If you want the solution to be thicker, add another spoonful of aloe vera.

Or thin it out by adding another spoonful of alcohol.

Add the essential oil. Add it one drop at a time, stirring as you go. After about 8 drops, smell the mixture to see whether you like the scent. If it seems strong enough, stop there. If you like a stronger scent, add a few more drops.^[3]

Lavender, clove, cinnamon and peppermint essential oils have the added benefit of providing additional antiseptic properties to the mixture.

If you don’t like these scents, it’s fine to use whatever scent you enjoy. Lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit all work well.

Funnel the mixture into the container. Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand sanitizer in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you’re ready to use it.^[4]

A couple of days ago, I asked my readers on Instagram to send me their questions about the outbreak. I sent it to my GP team at Columbia Presbyterian here in NYC and got all the answers for you….

Will wearing a face mask prevent us from getting the virus?

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including the virus. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it or if you are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

I received a package from China. Could I get sick from touching the box or the item that I ordered?

There is still a lot that is unknown about the newly emerged virus and how it spreads. In general, because of poor survivability of these viruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Viruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases in the United States associated with imported goods.

Is handwashing enough?

In addition to handwashing you should:

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.

In regards to Handwashing:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Should we be buying anything to have on hand in case it gets bad?

If an outbreak occurs, people may be asked to stay home to slow the spread of illness. It’s advisable to think through what you need to have in the house if that happened.

Think about what you need on hand if you have to stay home for a couple of weeks, especially food and medications. However, there is no urgency in stocking up. If you’re at the store and you’re shopping, you can buy a couple of extra items just in case.

Can we travel domestically? And what should we do to take precautions on a plane?

Yes, you can travel domestically. Doctors say if you wash frequently and use disinfectant wipes on a plane, you improve your chances of staying germ-free. Airline AC systems use HEPA filters to filter out almost all airborne germs and particles before the air comes out of your ceiling vent. The air coming out of your vent is cleaner than the air around your seat. You should leave the vent on during your flight.

Should we be really nervous?

The risk remains low in the US. People should live their lives normally and go about their normal activities. Most importantly don’t panic; this isn’t a crisis yet.

What symptoms should we look out for?

Symptoms include fever and cough or difficulty breathing, and people can incubate the virus for as long as 14 days before showing symptoms. 

Lastly for up to the minute information please check the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) website.