Viruses are everywhere. They are in the air we breathe, the surfaces that we touch, the food we eat. There is no escaping them.
For many of us, we will never know that we were exposed to the coronavirus and we will never know that our immune system was quietly fighting it in the background, which is what our immune system is designed to do.
For others, the immune system is so overwhelmed because it is over-active and creating antibodies against our own tissue. This shows up in autoimmune conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, lupus, and arthritis, just to name a few.
What makes the coronavirus different is that the human population has never been exposed to it before. Because of this, we need to rely on our first line of defense, the innate immune system, which is a non-specific method of the body protecting itself. This includes things such as skin, stomach acid, and non-specific cells in the immune system to act as a defense as our body takes note of this virus and starts to create antibodies against it.
When a person is already fighting some underlying condition, the immune system can’t defend against every invader and the coronavirus, in this case, moves in and takes over. The immune system realizes that the virus has snuck by the first line of defense and launches a response that results in people getting sick. For some, this might feel like a bad cold. For others, hospitalization and heroic measures are taken to save lives, not always successfully.
The stay-at-home order was designed to give our hospitals and first-line responders time to prepare and react against those extreme cases that need medical intervention, to spread out the number of intense cases. It also gave time to gather data to determine the next response. It was never designed as a way to eradicate COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
As the government and health officials work for the next course of action, many are excited and eagerly awaiting the vaccination that is going to “save” the world.
Don’t hold your breath.
The coronavirus is mutating. This means that just when they are closing in on a vaccine, it changes and the vaccine becomes ineffective. The answer to the coronavirus and Covid-19 is not a vaccine but educating people on building their immune systems.
By wearing masks, donning gloves, and NOT leaving our homes and playing in the dirt, either through gardening or walking in nature, we are not building and supporting our immune systems. Ultimately, it will be a strong immune system that keeps us protected; not something created in a laboratory.
Our number one priority should be helping people realize that they should be consuming whole, organic foods to get the nutrients necessary to build the immune system. Being exposed to dirt which contains bacteria and, yes, viruses, to help strengthen and build our immune systems. Bacteria in our gut are actually responsible for assisting the immune system. Finding ways to reduce stress in our lives. Some ways include meditation, non-strenuous exercise, and sleep.
Don’t wait to be saved. Take responsibility for your own health and wellness.
