It’s that time of year! Don’t spread respiratory illness

During this time of year illness and infections are more frequent. God has given our leadership incredible wisdom over the years on how to care for our bodies as God’s temple. These basic practices have been known since the time of Moses (Leviticus 13, 14). It is vital that we follow these guidelines to protect others, to prevent illness and to stay healthy so that we can serve and grow God’s Kingdom. Gwen has given Spirit led tips for staying healthy over the years. Many are very simple, easy and can make a huge difference in the health of you, your family and friends. Here are some basic preventive measures to stay healthy and prevent the spread of disease:

1. Hand-Washing– Keeping hands clean through frequent hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

   

   • If you aren’t able to wash your hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. Most are effective in killing bacteria (anti-bacterial), but do not kill other viruses. It is better than nothing.
   • Washing hands will eliminate bacteria and viruses by scrubbing them off and washing down the sink. This can easily be taught to young children.
2. Stay Home– If someone is ill in your household they should stay home. With many conditions you are contagious before the onset of symptoms. Staying home from work, school, church and events will help prevent the spread to others.
   • Generally, if symptoms have improved and NO fever for at least 24h they can return to normal activities. This rule applies even if you have been started on a antibiotic
   • Use the Spirit of God to guide you and it doesn’t hurt to err on the safe side. If a child has not been acting normal, not eating well or generally fussy these are often signs of initial onset of illness and should stay home.
   • If you are unsure if you or family members are contagious please contact Remnant Medical Services for consultation.
   • You are not disconnected. Use God’s technology he has provided us to view Church services and activities
3. Home Cleaning and Hygiene– To prevent illness or spread of infection in your own home it is important to disinfect and clean surfaces regularly. Germs can live on surfaces anywhere from a few minutes to several months.
   • Do not prepare food for others outside your home if someone is ill in your household. Even if the person preparing the food is not sick, germs can be spread on surfaces for several weeks and if ingested can spread rapidly to many people.
   • Putting small amount of bleach in your dishwasher when someone in your household is sick has been advised by Gwen and is a great way to disinfect.
   • Use Clorox or similar wipes on your counter tops
4. Get vaccinated – Stay posted for another post regarding Influenza and other vaccines. If you don’t catch it you can’t spread it.
5. Cover your cough– Respiratory illnesses are spread by small droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. Practice good cough etiquette:

   

   • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
   • Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
   • If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands
   • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
   • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Putting these basic guidelines into practice will help us all stay healthy and be considerate of one another. Please note that leadership has never encouraged extremes. God has created our bodies with incredible immune systems that are constantly fighting the many germs we encounter day to day. We do not need to live in fear of germs or disease but simply be wise, Spirit led and educated on how to keep others and ourselves healthy.