How Focused Protection to COVID-19 Will Save Lives Long Term

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In a recent episode of the Lindsey Elmore Show, I meet with Dr. Martin Kulldorff. We discuss adequately protecting those at high risk for Coronavirus, while balancing those at low risk for infection or death. Dr. Kulldorff proposes a focused protection strategy to allow the latter group to resume their normal daily lives.

Dr. Kulldorff is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. His research centers around developing new methods for early detection and monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and the post-marketing surveillance of drug and vaccine safety.

He wrote the Great Barrington Declaration, along with two other doctors. This document details concerns about the damaging physical and mental impacts of COVID-19 policies, such as lockdowns and closing schools. Over 660,000 concerned citizens and medical practitioner have already signed the Great Barrington Declaration.

The mixed messaging surrounding COVID-19 has caused high-risk groups like the elderly to underestimate their risk, while also causing low-risk groups to worry, despite their low mortality risk. Let’s discuss how this Focused Protection approach to COVID-19 will save lives long term.

What is the Great Barrington Declaration?

In the Declaration, three infectious disease epidemiologists and public health scientists express concern for damaging short and long term impacts of current COVID-19 policies. These doctors list several consequences, including worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and rapidly crumbling mental health. This means that certain policies actually lead to increased mortality rates, instead of the intended purpose to slow and/or eliminate them.

What strategy does the Great Barrington Declaration propose?

The Great Barrington Declaration proposes neither a “herd immunity” strategy, nor a “let it run free” strategy. Because we will eventually reach herd immunity, there is no need to point out a specific strategy of this nature. At some point, herd immunity will be reached either through natural infection or through a combination of vaccinations and natural infection. The Declaration focuses on protection of elderly and high-risk communities so as to protect them using necessary means. This would advocate for young, healthy adults in low-risk categories going about their daily activities so as to prevent them from mental and physical harm caused by widespread lockdowns.

Is there evidence to support lockdowns as a safety policy for infectious diseases?

Historically, lockdowns have never been proven to directly eliminate diseases. In fact, the Great Barrington Declaration says that, while it might slow the number of cases in the short run, it comes at too high a cost.

What are the mental and physical impacts of lockdowns?

People are more likely to skip doctors visits, delay important screenings, and stay at home during events as deadly as heart-attacks just to obey or abide by lockdown policies. Missing out on human interaction, loneliness, and fear all lead to dangerous psychological and mental issues. The CDC reported that one in four adults have considered suicide since last June, during a period when lockdowns were in full effect across the globe.

Lockdowns are especially dangerous for the working class. Lower income families must work to provide for their family, no matter their health concerns or risk-factors. Children of these working class citizens also are less likely to have tutors or the ability to attend private school, which is why keeping public schools open is so vitally important. Lockdowns decrease accessibility to education, employment and medical care for these working class families even more.

How does focused protection help the elderly and high-risk groups?

More available testing is crucial for the protection of high-risk groups, such as the elderly specifically in nursing homes. Focused Protection would include frequent testing of nursing home staff and nursing home visitors. Those infected with COVID-19 should remain at home, and should not be at the nursing home facility. Those in their 60s face a moderately high risk, and should work from home when possible. This also includes the need for additional accommodations to allow this age group to work from home.

Would contact tracing really work for COVID-19?

While contract tracing has proven critically important for several infectious diseases, it is not effective for widespread disease or a pandemic.

For more information on the Great Barrington Declaration, head to the Declaration Website. And don’t miss Dr. Martin Kulldorff on the Lindsey Elmore Show. You can listen here!

Want to learn how you can increase your immunity naturally? Read Nutraceuticals to Combat COVID-19.

Whipped Vanilla Body Butter

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Looking for a deeply moisturizing product for those dry legs, feet, and hands? This Whipped Vanilla Body Butter will satisfy that thirsty skin with a drink of soothing, moisturizing oils and shea butter. Plus, with the sweet, warm aroma of vanilla oleoresin, you’ll want to slather this butter on from head to toe.

The Difference Between Lotion and Body Butter

I’ve heard many people complain that body butter is too greasy or too thick. These people are generally looking for a lotion versus a body butter.

Lotion is an emulsion of water and oils, so it’s light, smooth, and typically absorbs into the skin rapidly. Body butter, on the other hand, contains thicker butters and solid oils—such as cocoa butter, shea butter, or mango butter—so it’s thicker and takes a bit longer to absorb. The benefit of these thicker oils is deep moisturization.

Lotion helps to preserve moisture in the skin, but it doesn’t replenish moisture the way that body butter does. It works great for daily use to keep skin soft and comfortable. But if your skin is parched and in need of moisture, body butter is the way to go. Just be sure to apply it to clean skin after a shower, and be prepared to wait a few minutes before getting dressed to give the butter time to penetrate.

Whipped Vanilla Body Butter

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup shea butter

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup almond oil

Vanilla oleoresin

Storage jar

Instructions

  1. Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler. I make my own double boiler by placing a glass jar in a small pot of boiling water.
  2. Once the solid oils are melted, remove from heat and add olive and almond oils and vanilla oleoresin. Stir to combine.
  3. Place the mixture in the refrigerator or freezer until completely set.
  4. Use a hand mixer to whip the mixture until fluffy.
  5. Store in a jar at room temperature.  

Download labels for your body butter here!

Looking for a silky smooth lotion that absorbs quickly? Try this Warming Body Lotion instead!

Silent Night Bath Salts

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There’s something so therapeutic about a hot bath. I mean, after a long day, few things can relieve and relax quite like a soothing soak in hot water. Even better if you add the relaxing and grounding aroma of some essential oils. These Silent Night Bath Salts not only incorporate a few of my favorite essential oils, they also have the detoxifying power of Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda for added rejuvenation.

Detox Baths

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Many people add Epsom salt to a bath as a super simple way to encourage some healthy detoxification. However, scientific data suggests that the amount of magnesium absorbed through the skin is actually very small. Certain conditions encourage more absorption, such as heat, saturation, and length of time. So if you really want to boost your magnesium, plan to take a long soak in a very hot bath. Even though you may not get a big boost of magnesium through your bath water, it can still help relax fatigued muscles and ease stress.

Baking soda helps remove toxins and soothe many skin ailments, such as eczema, yeast infections, and rashes. It can also promote relaxation and relieve tension. Sea salt contains naturally-occurring minerals. Adding sea salt to your bath may help restore depleted essential minerals to the body. 

These Silent Night Bath Salts also include a bit of coconut oil to help incorporate the essential oils and add a moisturizing boost to the salts.

The essential oils of German chamomile and lavender are oh-so relaxing and soothing to the nerves. They make this bath super calming as the perfect wind-down before bedtime. Frankincense also helps relieve stress and conditions the skin. I added blue tansy to the mix to get the blue color I wanted, but you can never go wrong with blue tansy. It’s really perfect for this bath because it’s great for the skin as well as emotions and relieving both mental and physical tension.

Silent Night Bath Salts

Ingredients

3/4 cup Epsom salts

2 tablespoons sea salt

1/4 cup baking soda

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

8 drops German chamomile essential oil

8 drops frankincense essential oil

6 drops lavender essential oil

6 drops blue tansy essential oil

Decorative jar with lid

Instructions

  1. Combine Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Melt coconut oil in a small jar or glass, and add essential oils.
  3. Slowly add oil mixture to salt mixture and stir to incorporate completely.
  4. Transfer to a jar and attach a label. Download free labels here!
  5. To use, add 1/2 – 1 cup of salts to a hot bath and soak. You may want to add these salts to a child’s bath for an even more silent night!

Check out another of my favorite holiday DIY recipes that also makes a great gift: Warming Body Lotion!

EMF Protection from Black Tourmaline: Fact or Fiction?

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In today’s world of electronics and gadgets, we are surrounded by constant radiation in the form of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In fact, current statistics show that 94% of Americans between the ages of 18-29 own a cellphone, and many spend up to 9 hours a day scrolling, searching, and tapping away. Some people turn to natural crystals, such as black tourmaline, to protect from and minimize the negative effects of this exposure. Is EMF protection from black tourmaline even possible?

Health Concerns Associated with EMF Exposure

Exposure to EMFs can cause a slew of physical and emotional disturbances to the body.

  • Headaches
  • Fatigue and general malaise
  • Muscle pain
  • Nausea
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Dulled concentration
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Oxidative stress
  • Depression
  • Eye strain and vision problems
  • Increased risk of cancer

If you experience a combination of these health concerns, there’s a good chance your electronic devices could be to blame. The simplest treatment, of course, is limiting usage of electronic devices, but few people are willing to give up their constant state of connectedness. Other methods of combatting EMFs include grounding activities, such as spending more time outdoors. Black tourmaline offers another simple alternative means of protection.

Black Tourmaline and EMFs

So how can a crystal protect against electromagnetic forces? Black tourmaline contains a high concentration of iron, which is specifically good at absorbing and harmonizing EMFs. The magnetic nature of iron literally pulls the electromagnetic frequencies towards itself. Additionally, black tourmaline is extremely grounding. It helps enhance the body’s natural electrical field – thus making a more grounded hindrance against hurtful radiation in our surroundings.

Placing a black tourmaline stone around your home can help absorb and dissipate some of the negative energy from electronics. It is particularly helpful to place the crystals near computers, televisions, and outer sources of radiation. You can also wear black tourmaline jewelry or place a stone in your pocket to increase your body’s energetic field and protect against the daily onslaught of EMFs.

One study investigated the properties of tourmaline and other crystals in relation to their ability to dissipate EMFs. Researchers concluded that tourmaline does, in fact, increase human immune function and inhibit cancerous activity.

Words of Caution

Choose with Care

Be aware that not all crystals are the same. Crystals vary in their therapeutic abilities, and quality definitely matters. It’s so important to seek out quality crystals that have been ethically mined and left in their natural, untreated state. I love purchasing crystals from Wild Alabaster. This small collection shop sources the finest quality crystals and offers them at reasonable prices to save me from searching far and wide. Get your black tourmaline today while supplies last!

Remember to Cleanse

Because black tourmaline (as well as most other crystals) absorb negative energies, they need to be cleansed from time to time, else they will lose some their therapeutic properties. Check out this blog post to learn more about the proper care of crystals. If you want your black tourmaline to continue to absorb all of that electromagnetic material, you should cleanse it regularly.

Black tourmaline is not the only crystal with healing abilities. Click here to learn about the healing properties of crystals.