FACOA Senior Resource Directory: Health Resources for Seniors

Return to the Senior Resource Directory Table of Contents

Important Links to Reliable Information

CDC (Center for Disease Control)
NIH: (Nat'l Institutes of Health) Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases: Coronaviruses
State of Michigan Coronavirus Information
Oakland County Health Dept. Health Orders

A Succinct Summary of What You Should Know

Here's some very interesting and helpful information from a Johns Hopkins University scientist (assistant professor of infectious diseases) about the nature of viruses and what works to deactivate and/or destroy them. Easy to read:

The virus is not a living organism; rather, it is a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but it decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity, and type of material where it lies.
The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best defense because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much, for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). When you dissolve the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes, and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam, and that makes the soap even more useful
Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
Any mixture with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaking it down from the inside.
Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol, and chlorine because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it in pure strength, which hurts your skin.
NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets, or cloth that may have the virus on them. While it is attached to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates in:

-3 hours (fabric and porous surfaces),
-4 hours (copper and wood)
--24 hours (cardboard)
-42 hours (metal)
-72 hours (plastic).

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Quisque congue tristique eros. Nulla facilisi. Quisque sem mauris, ullamcorper ac, gravida id, mattis id, sapien. Nullam adipiscing enim dapibus felis. Fusce a nisi in odio pulvinar fringilla. Nunc blandit interdum metus. Duis leo nunc, sollicitudin ut, fermentum congue, pharetra eu, massa. Suspendisse potenti. Morbi commodo mauris. Ut at pede. Ut id nisi. Donec scelerisque urna quis ligula. Praesent est. Vestibulum scelerisque. Curabitur quam. Fusce rhoncus pellentesque ipsum. Aenean venenatis metus ac quam. Maecenas lacus lacus, sagittis vitae, congue at, euismod eu, urna. Maecenas vitae purus. Praesent eros lectus, porta et, semper nec, molestie eget, tortor.