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Detailed Coronavirus Preparation Tips From A Renowned Pathologist

By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 3, 2020

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Face masks on mannequins, being sold on Oxford Street, London.

 

James Veysey/Shutterstock

By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 3, 2020

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Recently, a letter began circulating online that Dr. James Robb—a pathologist who describes himself as "one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses"—had shared privately on his Facebook page. In it he addressed his friends and family, writing, "The current projections for [COVID-19's] expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread by mid to late March and April." He goes on to list off "what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take."

While it provided some common sense tips that you've likely seen elsewhere by now, it also highlighted what Robb believes to be an important item to have on hand: zinc lozenges.

Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

It's nearly impossible to find a drop of Purell at this point, and now zinc lozenges are equally difficult to score. According to Snopes, "This portion of the letter apparently resulted in memes suggesting the product Cold-Eeze was a 'silver bullet' that would 'kill coronavirus,'" but that is not quite the case, says Robb.

He told the site, which confirmed Robb's background credentials, "In my experience as a virologist and pathologist, zinc will inhibit the replication of many viruses, including coronaviruses. I expect COVID-19 [the disease caused by the novel coronavirus] will be inhibited similarly, but I have no direct experimental support for this claim. I must add, however, that using zinc lozenges as directed by the manufacturer is no guarantee against being infected by the virus, even if it inhibits the viral replication in the nasopharynx."

Robb's other tips include:

  1. NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.
  2. Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.
  3. Open doors with your closed fist or hip - do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.
  4. Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.
  5. Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.
  6. Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home's entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can't immediately wash your hands.
  7. If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain an infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!

Please skip ahead to the 6:25 mark of this John Oliver coronavirus segment for a handwashing banger. Here's the full song, courtesy of the Vietnam Dept. of Health.

And here's the TikTok dance, because it's important to still have fun.

Back to the tips — Robb also recommends stocking up on the following:

  1. Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.
  2. Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth. [Please see below update regarding masks; it is not being recommended you "stock up" on them.]
  3. Stock up now with hand sanitizers. The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.
  4. Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

Update: Many recommend not stocking up on masks, as they are needed for patients and health care workers. Here is what Mayor Bill de Blasio had to say on the subject:

Of course, the real issue right now is that the companies that make these products were not prepared for the sudden demand. And it's not just Amazon that's out of stock, in New York City, brick and mortars have been seeing empty shelves. You still may have some luck, however; several Gothamist staffers were able to purchase Purell at a pharmacy today (travel size, $1.99 each, two per customer).

We've reached out to Purell to find out when they expect people will start seeing it available again, and will update when we know more.

UPDATE from Purell, 4 p.m.: "We are seeing increased demand for our hygiene products, including hand sanitizer, hand soap, hand sanitizing wipes, and surface disinfectant spray. We have increased production significantly and our team members are working hard to ensure people have the products they need. We have a surge preparedness team that runs in the background all the time, who have been fully activated and are coordinating our response to the increase in demand."

Speaking to its effectiveness: *"*The FDA does not allow any manufacturers of hand sanitizer or soap to answer questions about the efficacy of these products against coronavirus or any virus." However, they add, their Surface Disinfectants "have demonstrated effectiveness against a strain of human coronavirus. While COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus, under the EPA’s Emerging Pathogen guidance, our Purell Surface Spray can be used to kill COVID-19 on hard, non-porous surfaces when used in accordance with the directions and a 1-minute contact time."

Purell spotting

Jen Carlson / Gothamist

As for COVID-19 being "reasonably contained," Robb says, "I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. There will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available."

Health officials maintain, however, that a majority of people will experience mild symptoms.

Some additional helpful links:

Some of the doctor's suggestions have been edited for clarity.

Tagged

COVID-19

coronavirus

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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