COVID-19. What We're Doing & What You Can Do, Too.
Business Update.
SPARK6 has suspended all business travel, in-person meetings, and in-person office hours. Fortunately, our entire model is predicated on remote work environments. With headquarters in Southern CA, our teams already spend more time working from home so that they burn less time on the 405. With most of the US schools closed, our biggest challenge will likely be managing children at home offices. We will be in close communication with you if any project schedules are disrupted as a result, but as of now, our deliverables will remain as projected.
We donate proceeds from the first receivable on all projects to a cause related to the work of our client, or otherwise to the ACLU. As of two weeks ago, we began redirecting all donations to COVID-19 relief funds.
A Few Hard Facts.
One of the most unsettling things about this pandemic is the wide variety of information circulating through the media. And what’s not to be confused about? It wasn’t very long ago that our president stated “We have it totally under control,” and instructed Americans to “Go to work.” Today’s press conference was a bit different. “This is bad. This is very bad. Avoid groups of more than 10 people.” With all of the speculation and toilet paper panics out there, there are a few simple facts we know to be true:
We have been grossly under-equipped when it comes to testing.
People can be asymptomatic while still spreading the virus to others.
Up until today, there were still many regular daily large social gatherings like events, schools, offices, and people packed into restaurants and bars.
We are about 11 days behind Italy, and can clearly see what happened there with similar timelines in regards to public messaging.
We have nowhere near the hospital bed capacity, let alone ventilator equipment, to deal with the likely spike of cases requiring serious medical treatment.
What Can We Do?
Well, we can’t turn back the clock, and in the coming weeks, the reality will be upon us of just how many “healthy” people have already transmitted the virus to many, many others. Due to the complexities of transmission, the honest answer is that nobody knows how bad this is about to get, but the data doesn’t look favorable. The most effective action we can take is to “flatten the curve.” This means that through strict social distancing, we stop the transmission of the virus so that those who need medical treatment the most are able to receive it, while those who are infected and recovering on their own aren’t continuing to spread it. Unfortunately, this means that for now most people who have been going about business as usual this last week need to assume they could be asymptomatic carriers, and act accordingly. This is the only way to reduce the spike of serious cases so that our medical system can treat the people who are at risk of dying. This was one of the best articles going around that illustrates exponential spread and how to slow it (case in point, the number of US cases represented in this graph has more than doubled as of this post, in a four-day span).
Counting On Community
If we really are just over a week behind what Italy is facing, it won’t be pretty. Yesterday alone, over 300 people died there, and medical providers are having to make the awful choice of who gets treatment with the very limited resources. In other words, those who have a better chance of long term survival are being given priority for treatment over those who may be in more dire need, but have underlying conditions which give them a shorter overall life expectancy. This is a horrible reality that everyone hopes will not take place here. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst, it’s a real good time to get to know your neighbors. Having just moved our family to Salt Lake City, we really don’t know many people outside of immediate family. One neighbor decided to canvas a tight geography (about 300 people max) with a front door note intending to start a local social network. They spun up a group in a Skype product called GroupMe (like a not-as-cool Slack), and invited these neighbors who opted in so that if someone found themselves in need of food or had an infected elderly family member, the community could step in and help. Amazing idea, and we encourage everyone to be that person in their neighborhood to get something like this going.
Staying Healthy
First off, I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. Second of all, this is in no way a replacement for social distancing, washing your hands, and other common sense actions. At the age of 14, my first job was in a natural foods store where I began my self experimentation on immune boosting supplements, and have continued ever since. Even before COVID-19 reached its current scale, I was amazed with what a brutal cold and flu season this has been for so many people. The word “supplement” in itself points to the fact that nothing will take the place of good general health practices which includes a diet comprised of real, nutrient dense food, a physical fitness practice, mental wellness management, and sleep. Doing my best to cover those, here are a few other things I personally feel provide value when trying to keep my immune system up:
Ascorbic Acid: Yup, this is good old vitamin C, the oldest cold remedy on the block and the active ingredient in many products like Emergen-C. However, with pure high quality ascorbic acid, you bypass all the sugar, binders and artificial flavors that often come with chewable and other powdered versions. This antioxidant helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and bolsters the immune system. Because it is a water soluble vitamin, it is possible to mega-dose when starting to come down something at 1,000mg, several times a day. There’s a lot of recent pushback as to its efficacy, but it’s one that I feel really helps - especially in the early stages. If you take 1,000mg in plain water, be prepared to make an award winning bitter-face. This is a good one for preventative measures and after contracting something.
Echinacea/Golden Seal: Echinacea is extracted from the Eastern Purple Coneflower, found in North America. It is used to both prevent and reduce symptoms of colds and flus. It was commonly used by Native Americans and even adopted by early settlers before the boom of pharmaceuticals. Echinacea raises the body’s natural immune function by increasing white blood cell activity. This increases interferon and stimulates blood cells to take out the invading microbes. It’s often paired with Golden Seal, another Native American favorite used to boost the immune system and fight infection. Golden Seal can also be diluted and used as a gargling tincture to help sooth inflamed mucous membranes and facilitate healing. I prefer the liquid suspension in alcohol, but you can get it without. I don’t mind the taste but it sends some people into conniptions, so you might want to dilute it in a little juice. I would do lower doses when exposed to lots of bugs, and amp it up if I had symptoms.
Garlic: Another immune-booster, this superfood also has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal effects. As always, whole fresh foods are the best form to ingest. I recently heard from a trusted source that the processed supplement versions of this are stripped of many of the whole food version health-promoting attributes. So if you want to cook that 30-Clove Linguini, you might get the added benefit of increased social distancing. I like to add it to a good bone-broth which also contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur and tons of trace minerals - a.k.a. sickness fighting awesomeness.
Zinc: Most colds’ symptoms derive from the rhinovirus that likes to hang out in your upper respiratory system. When taken in the form of a lozenge or syrup, zinc can help help prevent the virus from multiplying. Avoid the ones that are really just candy with some zinc added in. Zinc is also used as a fire-retardant in lumber, but keep using your fireproof suit when doing any stunts, regardless of how much you are taking for your cold.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This stuff is one of those cure-all products that I can’t recommend enough. It’s a very powerful detoxifying and alkalizing food that helps steer the body away from the acidic state that cold viruses thrive in. Like many of these other liquids, you probably want to dilute it. Shooting a straight tablespoon will stop most people in their tracks. If your friends think they are tough when throwing back Jaegermeister or whisky, give them a shot glass of ACV and see how they fare.
Oregano Oil: This powerful antiviral contains carvacrol and thymol to help ward off many micro-organisms that are out to do you harm. It improves sinus congestion and will also help relieve a sore throat. Warning: if you put that liquid dropper right into your mouth, it will burn like the devil. If you dilute it in some juice, it is much more bearable but won’t taste anything like the marinara sauce you might expect. The mere suggestion of this remedy has instantly cured my daughter’s sore throat. Now that's a powerful placebo.
Vitamin D: This one came as a surprise, but this vitamin could help reduce the likelihood of respiratory infection, which is what eventually takes people down in the worst COVID-19 cases. If you’d like a deep 20 minute explanation as to how this science works, check out Dr. John Campbell’s video here.
Astragalus: I recently added this to my arsenal as a recommendation from Dr. Weil. This plant has been used for thousands of years as an immune-boosting tonic, helping the body’s adrenal system whose job it is to manage hormonal responses to physical, mental, or emotional stresses. Some evidence shows that astragalus may increase your body’s production of white blood cells, which are the powerhouses of your immune system responsible for preventing illness.
Lots of Water: Healthy hydration levels can help your nose by maintaining the mucous membrane, which is a really good thing right now. If something has already got you down, many illnesses will likely lead to dehydration. Fever, coughing and sneezing are some of the less gross things that increase your need for more fluids. When your tank runs low, your immune system will be further compromised, so keep the water coming. I’ve found the best defense against dehydration is convenience, so get yourself a BPA free container to keep the fluids coming.
Sinus Rinse: This isn’t so preventative as it is good for when something has already made its way into your head. Old school and highly effective, a sinus rinse usually involves mixing a prepackaged saline powder with distilled water and using a delivery system to blast it in one nostril and out the other. If you are congested, this will surely loosen everything from your nose, ears and throat. Not only will this help mend a sinus infection when avoiding antibiotics, but it will do wonders for avoiding one in the first place. The cold and dry winter air often dehydrates your nasal passages, making them more vulnerable to allergens and other nasties that can sit there and eventually cause infection. If they are already impacted with snot, getting that stuff moving will reduce the chance of an infection and make you feel much better in the process. I prefer the squeeze tube variety of delivery systems over the pot because it is easier to clean. The last thing you want to do is squirt mold into your already infected or dry sinuses. Pro-tip: It’s kind of gross and doesn’t make for a good first-date activity. Pro-tip 2: Do it over a sink, not your new couch.
Healthy Body & Mind
As already mentioned, the best thing you can do after social distancing is to keep healthy. Many people depend on gyms and group exercise classes, and it’s been really hard to take on all this extra stress while those start shutting down one by one. Here are a few ideas on how to stay active and healthy while holed up at home:
Free YouTube Content: If you don’t mind being subject to a few ads, there is a ton of free content to keep your body moving on YouTube. Two of my favorite channels are POPSUGAR Fitness and Fitness Blender.
Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga: Bryan taught the first yoga class I ever attended almost 20 years ago. His studio was just two blocks from our Santa Monica office, making it our favorite lunch break, and now his library of recorded classes are streaming for $15.95 a month. If his no-nonsense approach and colorful language aren’t your cup of tea, there are also many other teachers on the platform. If you haven’t done it, here’s why yoga is awesome: It takes virtually no space nor equipment and it can hit strength, endurance, flexibility, mobility and mental equanimity all in one class. There are also free classes to try on the site.
Peloton: We’re getting into the pricey side of things now, but compared to spin and other group exercise classes, this is actually a pretty good deal. As an interaction designer, I’m very impressed with this spin-class-for-the-home platform and the integrations they’ve put in place for services like Spotify and Strava. Aside from participating in live classes from their studio in NYC (which are now eerily empty with only the instructor present), you can also connect with friends via the embedded camera and mic on the display.
Waking Up App: It is now undisputed in the medical community that a wide swath of disease stems from emotional stress. This includes a compromised immune system. Even though we can squat, pedal and burpee our way through stressful days, working on the ability to be less reactive to the world around us might be the most important thing we can do for our health. Neuroscientist Sam Harris has put together an outstanding guided meditation app that takes an incremental approach to dealing with your thoughts, and understanding your mind. It’s a very well spent ten minutes of your day, and if you cannot afford the subscription, just drop a note here saying so, and it’s free: support@wakingup.com
We hope everybody stays healthy and safe in the upcoming weeks. As always, we love to hear your feedback and insights.
-Elijah Szasz & Eric Colbert, SPARK6
March 16, 2020
