How to protect your family against COVID-19 illness this Thanksgiving

With this year's Thanksgiving the third since the onset of the pandemic, there are now many tools to help manage COVID-19 risk, including safe and widely available vaccines. But this coronavirus still presents a danger, especially to older people and those with chronic medical conditions. There are also other viruses circulating across the United States, including influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) that are causing some pediatric hospitals to be overwhelmed.

What are steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19 during Thanksgiving dinners and other gatherings over the coming holidays? Is it still important to require vaccines for attendees at such events? Does a mini-quarantine period help to reduce risk? If people are testing before gathering together, when should they test, and with what tests? And what's the best way to protect against other circulating viruses?

To help with these questions is CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, public health expert, and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also author of "Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health."

CNN: What can people do to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and becoming severely ill when gathering over Thanksgiving and other winter holidays?

Dr. Leana Wen: The same mitigation measures we were discussing last Thanksgiving still apply.

The most important thing we can all do to reduce the likelihood of becoming severely ill is be up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine. This is particularly important for individuals who are 65 and older and adults who are immunocompromised or have other chronic medical conditions that predispose them to severe disease. Note that it takes about two weeks to reach optimal protection from the vaccine, so it's best not to wait until just before a gathering to get inoculated. And don't forget the flu vaccine, and for those eligible, the pneumonia vaccine, too. Man with high fever at home. Experts explain how to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu

The virus that causes COVID-19 is airborne, and good ventilation is key to reducing its spread. Gathering outdoors remains much safer than indoors. It's already getting very cold in some parts of the country, though, and we know indoor settings can be made safer by opening windows and doors, using fans and HEPA filters, and limiting capacity.

The more people attend a gathering, the higher likelihood that someone could be infected and not know it. The risk can be lowered if everyone agrees to take a COVID test the day of the gathering.

Of course, masking is a precaution that will reduce risk, though it's harder to do when attending events with food and drink. Some individuals who are particularly vulnerable and really want to avoid COVID-19 may wish to wear a high-quality N95 or equivalent mask during indoor gatherings, and only take the mask off when they are outdoors. They should also eat and drink outdoors; that way, they keep their mask on at all times while indoors around others. Youth receiving their first doses of Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine study links side effects with greater antibody response

CNN: If someone in the family is vulnerable, should everyone else mask and reduce their risk for several days before gathering — in essence, enter a "mini-quarantine"?

Wen: Some families will want to take additional precautions and essentially enter a bubble with one another over the holidays. This is a sensible thing to do if there are vulnerable family members to consider, and when it's not practical to only see them outdoors.

What I advise in this mini-quarantine period is for everyone to reduce their own exposures as much as possible. For about 5 days prior to the gathering, everyone participating in the mini-quarantine should wear a high-quality mask when going to indoor spaces like offices, schools, grocery stores and onboard buses and trains. They should not dine indoors in restaurants or gather with others not in their households. And just before the gathering, everyone should take a COVID-19 test.

This mini-quarantine plus testing doesn't guarantee that everyone in attendance will be free from the coronavirus, but it will help to reduce exposure and risk.

CNN: For those testing before gatherings, when should they test, and with what tests?

Wen: It's best to test as close to the get-together as possible. The test should definitely be taken the same day as the gathering.

In general, PCR tests are more accurate for picking up early infections compared with antigen tests. The problem is that PCR tests are much less available, especially for same-day results. A home rapid antigen test, if done just before attending an event, can be a helpful tool — with the understanding that there's still a chance someone could test negative and be carrying the coronavirus.

CNN: Last year, the prevailing advice was to require the vaccine for all attendees at holidays. Is this still important?

Wen: The primary purpose of vaccination is to reduce the likelihood of severe illness. The COVID-19 vaccines are very good at doing this, and that's the main reason we should all get vaccinated — and that those at risk remain up to date on their shots.

But people who are vaccinated can still carry COVID-19, so vaccination alone is probably not enough of a protection against infection. If you are really worried about contracting the coronavirus, you should take additional steps to protect yourself regardless of whether others you'll be gathering with are vaccinated.

CNN: The coronavirus isn't the only virus that families may be worried about. What's the best way to protect against other currently circulating viruses, like influenza and RSV?

Wen: If there are going to be vulnerable people in attendance, those who have symptoms such as a cough and runny nose should stay home. Viruses like influenza and RSV are spread primarily through droplets, so people should keep washing their hands frequently, including after touching high-contact surfaces. The other mitigation measures that help reduce the risk of COVID-19, including ventilation and masking, will also help to reduce other virus transmission. RSV By the next RSV season, the US may have its first vaccine

CNN: Many Americans have stopped coronavirus mitigation measures. Why might they want to resume them for the holidays?

Wen: The main reason is if they are getting together with a loved one who wants to continue to be cautious. Many people may not be actively avoiding COVID-19 themselves, and if they are gathering only with others who all feel this way too, that's one thing. But many people may be getting together with family who are elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Gatherings are generally planned by taking into the account the needs of the most vulnerable. There are steps we can take to reduce risk and allow for happy, in-person reunions over Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays. Good Housekeeping

It still works and will continue working

ALTERNATIVE SAFE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR RESISTANCE UP & FIGHT COVID -19. AS WELL AS “VARIATIONS” AND A HOST OF OTHER INFECTIONS INCLUDING THE FLU. SO FAR, WHOEVER BEEN USING THIS REGIME, EITHER DID NOT CATCH THE BUG AND IF THEY DID; SHOOK IT OFF PRETTY QUICK.

THIS REGIME WILL “NOT” PREVENT YOU FROM CATCHING THIS CRAZY VIRUS BUT IF YOU DO, IT WILL HELP TO SHAKE IT OFF FAIRLY QUICK, FOR SOME PEOPLE IT WORKS SO WELL THEY DON’T EVEN FEEL THEY GOT IT. BESIDES IT WILL ALSO WORK AGAINST OTHER RELATED VIRUSES; NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WILL BENEFITS YOUR HEALTH AS WELL, IF YOU CATCH THIS VIRUS OR NOT. EITHER WAY YOU WIN. ALONG WITH IT YOU WILL HAVE ACQUIRED NATURAL IMMUNITY WITHOUT ANY SHORT OR LONG TERM ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS.

There are other ways and means to enhance your resistance against viruses including that by now infamous covid-19 virus aside from taking any of these “Quick” developed vaccines utilizing a messenger RNA. So far science has not evolved far enough yet to be certain how the human body will react many month or years down the road once we start tinkering around with our immune system and how our bodies will react should we encounter mutated strains of similar viruses.

Below is a list of vitamins as well as nutrients SUGGESTED BY A PHYSICIAN to enhance your resistance, they are harmless and even beneficial to your body unless someone goes crazy and over doing it. Even so they will NOT protect you from getting any specific viruses; neither will any of those new “QUICK” developed vaccines. But not only will they make you more resistant but also help you to overcome the effects of such a virus more quickly, should you have bad luck getting it. And once you are over it, your natural immune system will take over and protect you considerably better than any vaccination, this according to a statement by Merck. The CATCH is to have these vitamins/nutrients in your system BEFORE you think you have caught this virus, as time is of essence so your system starts fighting the virus BEFORE it gets a chance to do any damage.

A suggestion to the wise, take some time and read up on each of these suggested components which is freely available on the internet.

Vitamin D-3 — Vitamin D supplements are readily available and one of the least expensive supplements on the market. All things considered, vitamin D optimization is likely the easiest and most beneficial strategy that anyone can do to minimize their risk of COVID-19 and other infections, and can strengthen your immune system in a matter of a few weeks.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) — NAC is a precursor to reduced glutathione, which appears to play a crucial role in COVID-19. According to one literature analysis,7 glutathione deficiency may actually be associated with COVID-19 severity, leading the author to conclude that NAC may be useful both for its prevention and treatment. For best results should always be taken with two to three times the amount of vitamin C. DO NOT GET IT MIXED UP WITH ACETYL L-CARNITINE. AS A REMINDER, DO NOT LEAVE OUT NAC AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THIS REGIME.

Zinc — Zinc plays a very important role in your immune system’s ability to ward off viral infections.

Like vitamin D, zinc helps regulate your immune function8 — and a combination of zinc with a zinc ionophore, like hydroxychloroquine or quercetin, was in 2010 shown to inhibit SARS coronavirus in vitro. In cell culture, it also blocked viral replication within minutes.9 Importantly, zinc deficiency has been shown to impair immune function.

Melatonin — Boosts immune function in a variety of ways and helps quell inflammation. Melatonin may also prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection by recharging glutathione11 and enhancing vitamin D synthesis, among other things.

Vitamin C — A number of studies have shown vitamin C can be very helpful in the treatment of viral illnesses, sepsis and ARDS,12 all of which are applicable to COVID-19. Its basic properties include anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antithrombotic and antiviral activities. At high doses, it actually acts as an antiviral drug, actively inactivating viruses. Vitamin C also works synergistically with quercetin.

Quercetin — Quercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonoid, found enriched in cranberry, onions, blueberry, apples, and tea. As a polyphenol compound, it is ALSO considered a potent iron chelator. A powerful immune booster and broad-spectrum antiviral, quercetin was initially found to provide broad-spectrum protection against SARS coronavirus in the aftermath of the 2003 SARS epidemic,14,15,16 and evidence suggests it may be useful for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 as well. Not only that but quercetin also acts as an ionophore for zinc similar to hydroxychloroquine, in a matter of speaking it will unlock the cells to let the zinc in where it can attack the virus . It is also a good pain killer and better for the human body than Aspirin, what helps to subdue arthritis pain. I is good for sinus infection, in other words if you happen to have a runny nose. Past studies have also shown that quercetin showed potent ability against some viruses, such as enterovirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

B vitamins — B vitamins can also influence several COVID-19-specific disease processes, including17 viral replication and invasion, cytokine storm induction, adaptive immunity and hypercoagulability.

LYSINE
When lysine blocks enzymes it inhibits the spread of the virus in the body by limiting the effect of weakening this connective tissue. An adult may take 2-3000 mg per day of lysine while trying to beat a virus.

SUGGESTED DOSAGE

All components as suggested are individually obtained and freely available and if used with some common sense are not harmful and if anything beneficial to your health. However it is a good idea and highly recommended to read up on each component, as there is plenty of information available on the internet. You may be surprised to find out and learn about the many benefits they provide to your health.
Here is a suggested approximate dosage for each.

Vitamin D-3 1500 IU

Malatonine 3mg to 6mg suggested about one hour before you go to sleep.

QUERCETIN 500 mg to 1000 mg

NAC 500 mg to 1000 mg (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)

Zinc 50 mg

Vitamin C 1500 mg or MORE !! but always should be to two three times as much as NAC

LYSINE

1500 mg to 3000mg

Vitamin B complex

So far whoever has been taking this regime of supplements and may have had a brush with this virus, shook it off fairly easily and quickly and the most important thing was that in the process such a person also acquired natural immunity. Not only that but at the same time this regime also helps to ease the effects of the regular flu.

Some of user’s comments:

Latest J&J Vaccine Info: Alex Berenson
4/15/2021, 10:49:29 AM • 27 of 28
Chauncey Gardiner to saintgermaine
Good post.
I have been on that same vitamin regimen since April 2020 along with approx 25 friends/family members. All of us socially active...restaurants, church, weddings, travel, etc. In other words, we’ve not changed our lives the past year. Not a one of us has tested positive and not a one has even had a cold. I’ve added hydroxychloroquine 200mg each Sunday starting about 6 mos ago.

Mississippi man partially paralyzed, unable to talk after J&J vaccine
4/16/2021, 6:48:45 PM • 37 of 39
upchuck to saintgermaine

Excellent regimen. Pretty much what I’ve been doing. I have been taking 5000 iu of Vit D3 per day for years and have never been sick (thank you Lord). With the China Virus, I upped it to 10,000 iu. I think zinc and quercetin are the most important.
10,570 DEAD 405,259 Injuries: European Database of Adverse Drug Reactions for COVID-19 “Vaccines”

5/21/2021, 7:41:23 AM • 52 of 52
jimjohn to saintgermaine
Been on similar regimens since August of 2020. Attended parties public events even a professional football game. Oh, and I fall in the high-risk category. Also posted recently about hearing friends and associates who’ve taken the jab complain about the after effects. Also note that my position would not recommend that I take this experimental vaccine.

Trump Girl Kit Cat to saintgermaine
My Doc put myself and EVERY patient he had on Quercetin, C, D3, Zinc, and NAC from day one he has not had ONE SINGLE patient catch this virus, I also put my 92 year old mom on it I NEVER miss a day!! My mom had a small stroke about 4 months ago neither of us vaccinated I had to take her to emergency and was worried because hospitals are an absolute petrie dish of germs we both spent 4 days in the hospital no masks in room AND we both came home just fine this supplement regimen works!!!
12/30/2021, 1:21:53 PM • 39 of 43

12/30/2021, 1:21:53 PM • 39 of 43
Utah Binger to saintgermaine
NAC is fabulous. I was suffering what I thought was Bronchitas for about two weeks. Might have been covid. Anyway a neighbor gave me a bottle and said to take two in morning and two at night. In one day Bronchitas was gone.

1/4/2022, 6:29:59 AM • 16 of 17
Caipirabob to saintgermaine; aMorePerfectUnion
I have done this supplement regiment with my wife for two years now, going into our third soon. We are as ethnically different as it gets but we have flown 8 times and never missed a happy hour that was convenient, dined out constantly, visited family and lived our lives as normally as possible, perhaps even moreso.
I’ve had three bouts of illness impacting my ears and sinus, but I have a condition that makes that a normal event. It actually occurred less than normal than in the previous 20 years.We did not vaccinate for personal reasons. I credit blessings and the regiment of supplements in helping us avoid the chicom plague and pray it continues to do so.

1/4/2022, 1:41:18 PM • 16 of 18
copaliscrossing to saintgermaine
When I got Covid, my doctor immediately put me on 10,000 IU’s of D3 per day even though I was already taking 5,000 per day. He also recommended NAC. I had never heard of NAC before he recommended it and he only recommended it because I have a bit of an issue with chronic bronchitis. Bought some NAC and have been taking it ever since. That stuff works PERIOD. I think that is why the FDA is bullying a lot of retailers (including Amazon) with fines and the such. So the retailer pulled the NAC from their shelves. Sad, because I really believe the reason the FDA is pulling it is because it WORKS!

• New COVID Variants Are Circulating. Here’s What to Know.
11/8/2022, 12:25:07 PM • 50 of 51
FlyingEagle to Saintgermain
Amazing. I take all that stuff. When I got Covid, I took The Medications Whose Names Must Not Be Spoken. Worked great.

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