Current government guidelines – and we all know how often these can change – suggest we should limit socialising indoors over Christmas and, if we do, to make sure we ventilate our homes. Ventilation will not prevent COVID-19 from spreading through close contact but it will help to reduce the amount of the virus indoors. Plus, of course there are other seasonal hazards in our air that can leave our immune system vulnerable.
As a policy paper for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) explains, “Good air quality not only has the merit of potentially reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to pandemics similar to COVID-19, but also of generating wider benefits for public health, wellbeing and resilience.”
And the OECD points out, “Improving air quality can help increase resilience against acute respiratory illnesses as well as generate wider societal benefits.”
Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray
This is a clinically proven combination of 41 essential oils which counters three common triggers for respiratory symptoms and poor air quality — airborne bacteria, fungal spores, and house dust mites.
Laboratory tests found Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray reduced the number of viable cells of four common bacteria, including staphylococcus and E-coli, by a factorof 100,000.46 Viable cells of candida and Aspergillus niger were reduced by a factor of 10,000.47 Tests in patients with mild to moderate asthma confirm it is well tolerated and causes no inflammation of the airways.
Simply spray six to eight shots into the corners of a room several times a day. Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray can also be strayed onto carpets and soft furnishing and is great from removing pet smells!
Available from chemists, health food shops and Amazon Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray 200 ml - Patented formula - Air & surfaces - 100% natural origin and fragrance - Pure essential oils - Propellant gas and aerosol free - Home, office, car
Opening windows
This is an obvious solution but can leave people, especially the elderly, feeling chilly so have some extra scarves and shawls or throws at hand.
Care must be taken that open windows do not become a safety hazard for children so high, out of reach windows are the best option.
Opening windows/doors at the opposite sides of the room increases air flow.
If you have extractor fans keep them running longer than usual.
Bathrooms
Make sure the toilet lid is aways down before flushing.
Leave a window open.
If you don't have enough guest hand towels, consider buying some paper towels or offer paper kitchen towels.
Wining and dining
Not sharing plates, cutlery and glasses goes without saying and try to have food that can be served onto a plate – individual pots of dips rather than shared bowls.
Online searches and sales of air purifiers have surged as a result of the pandemic – here are three we have reviewed: