I’m continuing to answer questions in an effort to stop the spread of misinformation and false claims. Unfortunately, we all really need to be careful when it comes to sharing information. There are shady people out there making bogus medical claims and even posing as doctors or medical officials.

Question From Shannon Quay –  “I heard another doctor state that detergent is not soap. Will laundry detergent kill the virus?” 

In short, yes, laundry detergents will kill the virus. The CDC recommends that you follow manufacture instructions for washing your clothes. They also recommend using the warmest setting that you can and then making sure clothes are dried completely. Now, if someone in your household is sick you don’t have to do separate loads of laundry. You can still wash your clothes together – just take extra precautions. The main things to do are wear gloves and don’t shake the clothes out before putting them in the washer. If you don’t have any gloves, just make sure to thoroughly wash your hands immediately after handling the clothes. It’s also a good idea to disinfect your laundry bag or hamper after it’s been emptied.

Question From Frances Curmi –  “What about D3 supplements?”

Well, here’s what we do know. First, there is no current cure for the coronavirus. Second, having an underlying health condition can make it more difficult for your body to fight the coronavirus. And third, vitamin D is important for a healthy body. What we don’t know, however, is if supplementing with vitamin D will have any benefit. Vitamin D protects us against conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, infections, and immune system disorders. And, some studies have linked vitamin D to a lower risk of respiratory illness. But, not all of the vitamin D studies show a benefit – so the results are inconclusive. Regardless, it’s still a good idea to make sure your vitamin D levels aren’t too low. So, it’s best to talk with your doctor to determine if you should have your vitamin D levels tested. They’ll be able to advise you on what to do if your levels are low.

Question From Lisa Chapman-Edwards – “If a person had H1N1 do they have some sort of immunity to this virus?”

Unfortunately, developing immunity to one virus does not provide you with immunity to others. So, if you had H1N1, or swine flu, you do not have immunity to the coronavirus. You only have immunity to swine flu. Because this is a new disease, everyone is at risk of contracting COVID-19. And, so far, research indicates that people do not have a natural immunity to it. That is why it is extremely important for everyone to stay home. Continue practicing social distancing and wash your hands often. Together we can get through this and I’m very proud of how our community is handling this crisis.