There are some benefits in living in a relatively isolated city like Winnipeg, Manitoba, my birthplace and my home town. (We’re an eight-hour drive north of the nearest big city, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it’s a full two days’ drive east to Toronto, or west to Edmonton or Calgary. Of course, there are small towns dotted all around the area, but it’s still one of the lesser-populated areas of North America.)
For example, I am over 700 miles away from the nearest outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 down in Madison, Wisconsin, as shown by this handy, constantly updated map of coronavirus outbreaks by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University:
Of course, that could change in an instant if somebody infected flies here. (Don’t come here! Winnipeg in March is cold and snowy and TERRIBLE!) 😉
I’m still planning to write about the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak from time to time. If you missed my last blogpost, I shared a useful, simple recipe for making your own hand sanitizer, since supplies of it are running low in stores worldwide.
I also wanted to share a new video by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which answers some frequently-asked questions about handwashing, which is still the number one method to avoid catching the coronavirus. (There’s no sound in this YouTube video.)
I learned that the temperature of the water used does not matter; it can be hot or cold, as long as it is clean water. Also, it does not need to be antibacterial soap; any solid or liquid soap can be used. The important thing is to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Here’s that video (AGAIN) I’ve been posting regularly from the World Health Organization:
I’ve pretty much got this technique memorized now, right down to using a paper towel to turn off the tap and open the bathroom door!
So remember: WASH YOUR HANDS. And train yourself not to touch your face!
