Protect Yourself from Monkeypox

With Monkeypox having been declared an emergency federally and in New York, California, and Illinois, I’d like to give a few simple suggestions on how to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

First of all, please keep masking. Wear an N95 or equivalent indoors and also outdoors in crowded venues. This will protect you from both COVID and Monkeypox.

Next, let’s talk about some things that are specially challenging about Monkeypox. Although it’s a virus with an envelope, it isn’t killed by soap and hot water the way SARSCoVi2 is. Washing your hands is always good, but it’s not enough for Monkeypox. Second, as we mentioned last week, fomites—surfaces—are an important mode of transmission, and the virus can persist on surfaces for at least 15 days.

Also, people are sick and infectious for about a month—and with the sick leave issues in this country, people are definitely going to be at work while sick. That could be your meat packers, your produce pickers, etc.

But on the positive side, it seems as if you need a pretty big viral load to get infected, unlike Omicron, which you can catch in seconds, even with a small viral load. I know that stress is bad for your immune system, so for now, let’s not make things too complicated and difficult. Here are some simple ways to lower the viral load entering your home and give you some sense of security that you are making best efforts to protect yourself.

Luckily for us, the EPA website provides great information on products that do kill the Monkeypox virus.  And some of them, the ones I’m going to mention, are safe and non-toxic.

Arm and Hammer Essentials Disinfecting Wipes are great for cleaning surfaces. We’re using them to disinfect the bolsters we use in clinic for pulse reading, for example. And for the toilet seat as well.

Next, hypochlorous acid. I have a little machine to make it myself at home; it was inexpensive, and the process is quick and easy. You run an electrical current though water that contains measured proportions of salt and vinegar. I’m personally using Force of Nature equipment and they send capsules that contain the exactly right amount of those ingredients.  Their equipment is EPA approved. Hypochlorous acid is gentle and harmless; we’re using it to sanitize hands for pulse reading etc. We’re also washing our fruits and vegetables with it. It’s better to make than purchase it, because it only lasts 2 weeks.

Regarding meat, please cook it very thoroughly and make sure it’s cooked through.

Regarding laundry, the hot water from your washing machine isn’t hot enough. In the old days, we did boil our sheets in a wash copper. But not now. The best we can do is to wash in hot water and add two scoops of Oxyclean, which is EPA approved for Monkeypox.

When shopping, it’s ideal to wear gloves and sanitize them frequently. You could use bleach wipes or peroxide, both of which work against monkeypox.

Again, this is an evolving situation, so watch this space for updated guidance.

Stay safe!

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

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