![]() Traveling for the first time since mid-March and the COVID-19 shutdown, I worried I’d have difficulty getting an Uber to take me to the airport. I was wrong. The Uber car arrived even quicker than usual. The driver wore a mask and there was sanitizer and cleaners available next to the seat I sat in. I had my own sanitizer spray and wipes too. He had his side window open a few inches, circulating the air. The driver was as nice as Uber drivers usually are and helped with my luggage. I felt perfectly comfortable and safe. On this late Sunday morning, Chicago’s O’Hare airport seemed a ghost town. Social distancing was quite easy, with so few people in the terminal. Staff were present to assist with check in and staff were visibly cleaning as I walked through the terminal to get to my gate. The airport was really clean and smelled fresh. I even visited the ladies room, as I arrived early and had quite a long wait. I thought that the check in process might be slower than usual, with the 6 feet distancing and other safety measures in place. Again, I was wrong. I was pleasantly surprised. Check-in with TSA pre-check took about 5 minutes in total. The gate was in a rather remote area of the terminal. I walked for some time and saw fewer than 10 people along the way, and most were airport staff. Arriving at my gate, there were 8 people other than me in a span of three gates. I walked past darkened Starbucks and other food venues - none of them were open. I was thankful that my two apples had not been confiscated at the security check. With a couple hours to spare, I knew that those apples would be enjoyed. I felt blessed that the experience was peaceful, safe, clean and seamless. I didn’t really miss the noise, chaotic feel and all the people sitting on floors and pretty much heavily packed into the airport of the past. I do hope that the usual bustle and vibrancy of a busy airport seemed a thing of the past. Perhaps a new normalcy that is somewhere in the middle will be the future - Vibrant, orderly and busy, with less of the chaos and packed in feeling? Time will tell………. Sharing the light, Mary
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Participating in the Immune Defense Summit, I am excited to share this work by Dr Zelenko, in Monroe, New York. With ZERO deaths, Doctor Zelenko’s simple and direct outpatient treatment of COVID-19 high risk patients is incredible. I am encouraged to know he is in contact with the White House and the leaders of Israel. Dr Zelenko is the primary care physician of 75% of the adult population in a small town of 35,000 residents in upstate New York. His goals are simple- keep those infected alive and out of the hospitals. After doing much research on what was being used around the world and speaking with local hospital doctors, he determined the regimen of treatment he would use for those testing positive in the high risk categories of his patients. 699 of his patients tested positive for the virus, and 200 of them were high risk- over 60 years old plus comorbidity. Those not in the high risk category had minor or no symptoms and are fully recovered. ****Please, share this information with your doctor if you need treatment. His treatment for the high risk patients was the following regimen: Hydroxychlroquine (Plaquenil brand name) - 200 mg 2X/day for 5 days (requires prescription) Zinc Sulfate 220mg (does not need to be sulfate - needs 50mg elemental zinc) for 5 days All but 6 of the patients did not need hospitalization and are in full recovery. 4 of the 6 patients are being given antibiotics for pneumonia in the hospital and doing better. Two of the 6 patients have been intubated in the hospital. Dr Zelenko explained that the zinc is actually the key to the treatment, as this mineral stops the replication of the virus in the body, so that the body’s immune system can fight off the attack. Zinc however, is a positive ion and needs a transporter to get through cells. The Hydroxychloroquine opens the door and allows the zinc to enter the cell. Both are needed together. Dr Zelenko said that if there was a bacterial issue as well then he would also add the commonly used antibiotic, erythromycin. It is important to note that all of these patients were in the early stages of the virus. Dr Zelenko’s successful treatment of his patients gives me great hope! Another speaker in the Immune Defense Summit was Dr Levy. Practicing for 40 years and an expert on vitamin C, he also provided practical and excellent information for good health and to fight against the COVID-19 virus. I was surprised to learn that there are approximately 60,000 peer reviewed articles published on vitamin C. I was also surprised that a study of 16,000 Americans found that 33% were deficient in vitamin C- one in every three people. Even moderate vitamin C deficiency can lead to a weakened immune system, fatigue, chronic pain, dry and rough skin, impaired wound healing, weight gain, and heart disease. Somehow, I only thought vitamin C had an important role in keeping away colds. I was wrong! Vitamin C rich cells show up first to address all attacks on the body. Dr Levy discussed how Vitamin C, along with other antioxidants are the power of the immune system. Vitamin C is a macronutrient and one of the most important substances to keep at a high level in the body. Vitamin C neutralizes toxins or free radicals by donating electrons to them. Toxins cause disease. With a strong immune system and enough vitamin C and antioxidants in the cells, the toxins are neutralized. Further, Dr Levy explained that anywhere in the body that inflammation is present, it is a sign that vitamin C has been depleted. There is increased oxidative stress = inflammation. All Vitamin C is not equal, as supplements that are water soluble do not penetrate the cells easily. Dr Levy’s talk provided a multi-C protocol, especially if acute resolution is needed. He recommended liposome encapsulated C (gets into the cells), daily sodium ascorbate powder to bowel tolerance 2 or 3x/day (helps clean the gut), plus Ascorbyl Palmitate (fat soluble C that also gets into the cells). If there is an acute hospitalization situation, he urged patients to ask for an IV vitamin C and hydrocortisone to neutralize inflammation and toxins attacking the body. I learned much from these talks, and I am grateful for the expertise of these medical professionals. While I am a novice, I am determined to take responsibility for my health care, and that requires learning through research and listening to experts. I also recognize that experts often have opposing views and that's fine and part of the process too. Ultimately, I need to make the decisions about my health and be responsible for those decisions. As an avid follower of Ayurveda, I’ve embraced this science as a methodology that treats not only symptoms but focuses on root causes for imbalance and disease in each individual. It is not one size fits all, and Ayurveda works. I have personal experience using it. Ayurveda seeks to help with the overall balance of the body, mind and spirit. A person who has a balanced lifestyle and strong constitution is able to maintain balance through healthy foods, drinks, activities and exercise. Foods rich in vitamin C include broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, oranges, papaya, red, green or yellow pepper, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes. Foods with darker, richer colors like orange, yellow, blue, and red tend to be higher in antioxidants. Whether vegetables, nuts, fruits or spices (such as cinnamon, turmeric, ginger), there are many choices of foods that are high in antioxidants. The key is to not become deficient, and regular consumption of the above mentioned foods will enjoyably serve to keep you and your immune system healthy. Some supplements and herbal medicines may also be needed to add defense against the pollution in our air and water, plus the ill effects of the many chemicals we encounter in our daily lives. The good news is that we can live healthy, happy long lives when we learn what our bodies and minds need. I encourage you to keep paying attention to your health. When we are healthy, every facet of life is better! I am grateful for the learning from the Immune Defense Summit and from the many teachers of Ayurveda and yoga that have transformed my life. May we all live life healthy and happy. Namaste, Mary Before he died, a father said to his son; “Here is a watch that your grandfather gave me. It is almost 200 years old. Before I give it to you, go to the jewelry store downtown. Tell them that I want to sell it, and see how much they offer you.” The son went to the jewelry store, came back to his father, and said; “They offered $150.00 because it is so old.” The father said, “Go to the pawn shop, and see how much they offer you.” The son went to the pawn shop, came back to his father, and said; “The pawn shop offered $10.00 because it looks so worn.” The father asked his son to go to the museum and show them the watch. The son went to the museum, came back and said to his father; “The curator offered $500,000.00 for this very rare piece to be included in their precious antique collections.” The father said, “I wanted to let you know that the right place (right people) values you in the right way. Don’t find yourself in the wrong place (with the wrong people) and get angry if you are not valued. Those that know your value are those who appreciate you. Don’t stay in a place where others do not see your value. Know Your Worth!” -Thank you to Scott Tang for sharing this story This story has interesting layers of understanding. Initially, I appreciated the clear understanding of the teaching - something that looks old and worn may be quite valuable to expert eyes. Then I reread, thought more and realized the story presented the teaching that old and worn are to be appreciated as having value. The favorite teaching to me was revealed in the idea that where we are the most appreciated is where we have the most value. It is true that our value is inherent wherever we may be, and shining our light or sharing our value may positively influence and help others. Yet, seeking to be in places and the company of those who appreciate us is recognizing and knowing our own worth! Namaste, Mary |
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