My husband recently showed me an email that has been circulating, urging people to stock up on Zinc lozenges in the face of this COVID-19 pandemic. So what do we know about the effects of Zinc on coronavirus and specifically COVID-19?

Coronavirus vs CODVID-19

The difference between coronavirus and COVID-19 is simple. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause illness in humans and others cause illness in animals, such as bats, camels, and civets. Human coronaviruses generally cause mild illness, such as the common cold.

Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve to infect and spread among humans, causing severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which emerged in 2002, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which emerged in 2012.

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where it has caused a large and ongoing outbreak. It has since spread more widely in China. Cases have since been identified in several other countries. The COVID-19 virus is closely related to a bat coronavirus.

There is much more to learn about how COVID-19 is spread, its severity, and other features associated with the virus; epidemiological and clinical investigations are ongoing.

What do we know about the effects of zinc on the common cold?

Duration of symptoms

A review of 17 trials involving a total of 2121 participants, comparing patients who were given placebos to those given zinc, found the following:

• those receiving zinc had a shorter duration of cold symptoms (mean difference −1.65 days)
• Zinc shortened the duration of cold symptoms in adults and no significant effect on children
• the average reduction of the duration of the common cold is 1.65 days.
• the reduction in duration of cold symptoms was greater with high doses of ionic zinc (mean diff -2.75) than with lower doses.
• Zinc acetate is more effective at reducing the duration of symptoms than zinc gluconate. This was confirmed by other studies.

Severity of symptoms

• Other studies found Zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, sneezing by 22%, scratchy throat by 33%, sore throat by 18%, hoarseness by 43%, and cough by 46%. Zinc lozenges shortened the duration of muscle ache by 54%, but there was no difference in the duration of headache and fever.

Zinc acetate ve zinc gluconate (both found in lozenges)

Seven randomised trials with 575 participants with naturally acquired common colds found:

• Trials that used lozenges composed of zinc acetate found that colds were shortened by 40% and four trials that used zinc gluconate by 28%.
• The difference between the two salts was not significant: 12 percentage points.
• Properly composed zinc gluconate lozenges may be as effective as zinc acetate lozenges.

What does this mean for me?

Zinc is shown to have positive effects on reducing the duration of a cold. By all means, reach for zinc lozenges to treat the common flu or cold once you are sick. Zinc supplements have not been proven to be a preventative measure, rather, it should be taken when you are sick to shorten the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Can you use zinc to treat COVID-19?

The answer is we don’t know yet. There is a lot we do not know about COVID-19 and it would be very bold for anyone to claim to know for sure. However, zinc, taken as per recommendation, will not hurt you, and there may be some benefits, according to Dr Ian Tullberg.

Lastly, What about that email — misinformation wrapped in science.

The email was one that James A. Robb sent to friends and family. He is University of Colorado School of Medicine MD, a pathologist, and molecular virologist who, while at the University of California, San Diego in the 1970s, did pioneering work in understanding coronaviruses. He wrote:

Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

Snopes.com, a website dedicated to debunking (or confirming) internet myths, investigated after his words were twisted by others and reposted with exaggerated claims such as zinc being a “silver bullet” against coronavirus. Robb confirmed that

“I have no direct experimental support for this claim [in COVID-19]. I must add, that using zinc lozenges as directed by the manufacturer is no guarantee against being infected by the virus.”

Conclusion

• Zinc lozenges can help with cold and flu symptoms and duration in adults.
• Zinc lozenges may or not help with symptoms or duration in COVID-19, we do not know yet.
• Zinc does not provide a preventative function, so unless you are zinc deficient, there is no need to take it if you are well.
• The best preventions are spatial isolation, wash your hands (20sec) and cough and sneeze into a disposable tissue or elbow if tissues are not available.

Stay safe and stay home everyone.

Questions we all know too well — “When are you going to have children?” “Why are you still studying? You are a woman, you don’t need to study” “Is your house clean and tidy?”

There’s an old saying goes something like this: “A woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent.”

And then there’s my personal favorite:

“Oh my god, you put on weight!”, which is often followed by “EAT~! Why are you not eating!”

Of course, men get it just as bad. Your masculinity (by traditional Chinese definition) is put under a microscope during this time. How many houses do you have? What is your monthly take-home salary? What car are you driving now? And any shortfall will be publicly named and shamed on this festive gathering. This is what I call a “Chinese Roast”.

This ad by DiDi (Chinese urber) perfectly sums up the expectations of men in Chinese culture.

If you are like me, you are probably used to it. You crack a smile and shove another dumpling down your mouth, all whilst dying a little more inside.

So why do Chinese people love to gossip and intrude into other people’s privacy? Like all social phenomenon, it is complicated. But allow me to oversimplify it for your entertainment.

So about 150 years ago, China was invaded by the English because we have damn good tea and to win the war England flooded the country with drugs — so that happened. Then we had these snarky English walking around Shanghai and Hongkong in their suits and top hats for the next 150 years, treating us like peasants. Then the Japanese invaded in 1937 and literally ‘raped Nanjing’, the capital. All these humiliating losses made us look like losers (which technically we were). The people protested and the Government couldn’t handle being called losers, so the crackdown on Freedom of Speech (FOS) began.

Then the cultural revolution happened and Mao Zedong and the Communist party was all like ‘we have thick skin, so we would allow you, peasants, one day a year to send me your feedback.’ and the peasants believed him (shakes head). Who knew a God-like dictator couldn’t handle constructive feedback? You know what I am talking about. We have all had that one Manager that’s all about constructive feedback but then chews your head off for it. Anyways, MILLIONS of critics were sent into exile for it. So the people were like “Maybe we can still talk about broader social issues, but just not to the guy with four wives.

Then comes the straw that broke the camel’s back — the Tiananmen Square Protest 1989, also known as the last fucken protest to ever happen in China. So a bunch of uni students started the protest about inflation, inequality, and legitimacy of the one-party government. Eventually, more people joined, including members of the Chinese Army Supply Department joined the protest. Then the Government was like, “oh shit just hit the fan, Let’s O.V.E.R. R.E.A.C.T!!!!!” and overreact they did. Tanks were used to roll over the protesters on the night of 4 June 1989.

Since then, anyone dares to speak out against the Government will be made an example out of.

So what does this have to do with your pestering aunty telling you not to wear that top cause your arms look big in it? Well, put it bluntly, the generational suppression of intellectual thinking and speech has led to a culture of gossip and small talk. The older generation still carries a fear of provocative speech, and pass this fear onto the next generation, just another teachings of survival. While Westerner parents teach their children not to touch the hot stove, Chinese parents teach their children not to talk shit about the Government. Chinese people HAVE to be indifferent to matters of the public domain, so in compensation, they look to the commonly accepted practice of gossiping and prying into other people’s private lives.

In conclusion, cut your family some slack and enjoy your feast!🍻

Those close to me will know about a recent sexual harassment incident I was involved in at work. This is an ongoing case and is currently being dealt with by the local police, so I will not be sharing any details of the incident. Instead, I would like to share with you what this journey taught me.

I entered the workforce at the tender age of 18. My first day at work, my supervisor, mid-30s, along with a group of his colleagues took me out drinking. After a few drinks, he went for the kiss, followed by the touching. I did nothing and said nothing. It was my fault. I should have said no. I shouldn’t have been there.

Next day, I braced myself for the awkwardness only to find out the events of the night before has spread throughout the office. Men high-fiving each other, laughing loudly in their offices, while the girls gossiped among each other in their cubicles. On my second day at work, I learnt a valuable lesson: older men preying on younger girls was an unspoken male bonding ritual. Men exploit, women tolerate and say nothing.

Every year, the company gets about 10–15 of these fresh young 18-year-olds. Every year, the supervisors and managers try their luck. This event paved the way for what was yet to come.

I always blamed myself for the countless harassment and assaults.

Supervisor at my first job forced kisses on me on my very first day at work — My fault: I should not have gone out to drinks with them.

Manager forced himself on me by the Ivy Bar Pool — My fault: boys will be boys, I should have known.

Director followed me home in the middle of the night, pressuring me to sleep with him while his pregnant wife is waiting for him at home — My fault: I should not have responded to his random emails.

Countless work ‘meetings’ at my Director’s house because he was too sick to come to work — My fault: If I wasn’t comfortable, I should have said no.

Even more countless grabs and touches in the name of ‘some fun’ — My fault: If I didn’t think it was funny, I should have said something.

I learned the best way to avoid these situations is to avoid association with colleagues outside of work. So, for the last five years, I changed the way I dress to work, changed industries and avoided socialising with people outside of work.

THEN this particular incident happened. I couldn’t get my head around it. I thought did everything right; I barely talk to anyone, I barely socialise with anyone, who would do this. That morning, I stood up at my desk and cannot figure out what I have done wrong?

The Epiphany

Today I got the call from Brisbane and was told it was done by someone who I have never spoken to, someone whose very existence was foreign to me. This is the moment I realised none of this was my fault. None of 12 years of sexual harassment and assault were my fault. This was not the epiphany I want to talk about.

I realised by blaming myself for the last 12 years for unacceptable male behaviour I was indirectly blaming the other victims of workplace harassment and assault.

I am writing this blog because I want to tell all the women who have experienced this that I am sorry. Although I have never victim blamed anyone else consciously, I cannot deny that by carrying this reasoning I had for my own experience, I had unconsciously victim blamed you.

It is not my fault nor your fault. We must learn to be kind and love ourselves before we can learn to be kind and love others. And it must be with love that we stand by each other and fight back.

You were so small when I first got you. We spent many weekends cuddling and watching the Simpsons; Your tiny body rested on my forearms, your round fluffy head rested on the palm of my hand. You ran towards an oncoming car once. Naturally, I rushed out to protect you from the car. I held you in my arms and cried. That day, I knew that losing you will break my heart.

For your birthday I flew back to see you. You were turning 13, and I knew your birthday celebrations were limited. You looked great; still my handsome baby boy. But you looked tired. I knew I had to prepare for old age to hit you. I had imagined that arthritis will hit first, then we will probably need to get you on some heart medicine for your heart murmur. We know you were old, but we didn’t know you were sick. Two weeks later I moved back home, and your health deteriorated. I couldn’t understand why you had stopped eating; I couldn’t understand why you were sick, you were fine two weeks ago!

Your first x-ray showed fluids in the lungs and heart disease. The vet took out the fluids and put you on heart + fluid medication. We had hope that was it. You went from 10kg to 8kgs. Five days later you were still not any better. Second x-ray showed that you had a collapsed lung. The vet suspects it is lung cancer. He urged us to put you down. You lost another half of kilo. It all happened so suddenly; we refused to believe it. You went for an ultrasound and culture test the following week. I desparately hoped that it was an agreesive infection, something we can fix. But we knew the likelihood of that was slim. The vet called and said there were no signs of infection. There were large round red blood cells — signs of cancer. The vet once again urged me to put you down. But how can I? How do I know when you are ready to go?

I searched the internet every night: “Signs your dog is ready to go”, but it was a pointless act. I was looking for reasons why you didn’t fit neatly in any of the ‘signs’. Sure, you have stopped eating, but I’ve been feeding you food through a syringe. You lost your coordination, but that’s just because you are not eating. I should have just googled “Excuses to hold onto my dog”.

Last night your back legs gave way again. We watched you turning in circles trying to balance. At first, I thought your tail was wagging, but it was stiff. You were trying to use your tail to balance. We were leaving to go to Justin’s for dinner. We hesitated on leaving, but dad volunteered to stay with you. You surprised all of us when you hopped/dragged yourself to the front porch, and came towards the car. That’s when I knew — this was your last car ride. You know it was time.

Your health deteriorated even faster the next day. We made the call to the vet.

And here we are.

You are the greatest gift I can ever ask for. Your love was unconditional. With you, I can love with no reservations. With you, I learn to live in the moment. With you, I learn to be kind and to be forgiving. Even as you are dying, you reminded me to block out the noise the distractions of the material world, and focus on what is truly important. And in your death, you taught me what it means to be truly selfless.

You know all my secrets, all my sorrows and all my joy. You were there for me on the nights I have no control over myself. Many nights I held you in my arms, and we wept together. You were fundamental to my growth and my happiness. So I guess you will never die. You will live within me for as long as I live.

The only thing I can do for you now is to end your suffering. This is the nature of our relationship — you give everything, and I can only do so much. You give me the gift of love, and all I can do is give you the gift of a peaceful and dignified farewell.

Forever yours,

It’s been a fun project and I’ve narrowed the list down to 12 simple rules which I’d like to share with you over time.

Too often we make the situation more complex than it needs to be. “It can’t be that easy”, we tell ourselves. But it is.

Success: /səkˈses/
Following my passion;
Constantly growing and learning; Contributing to others in a meaningful way; and Crystallising my life purpose.
Let’s begin.

For me, the single most important rule is to find and follow your Passion. Instead of hearing it from me, however, here’s what the world’s most influential people had to say on this topic. The videos on Steve Jobs, Sylvester Stallone and Chris Gardner are my personal favourites.

If you don’t love it, you’re gonna fail. — Steve Jobs

Take the job that you would take if you were independently wealthy. — Warren Buffett

Find that one thing you love do so much you would get up in the morning and do it free. — Chris Gardner

Really liking what you do. If you don’t like it, life is too short. — Elon Musk

I know, in the back of my mind, that if I sell the script and it does very very well, I’m gonna jump off a building if I’m not in it. — Stallone

You gotta enjoy what you do everyday. For me, that’s working with very smart people and working on new problems. — Bill Gates

In Closing

Wherever you may be on the trajectory of life, I’d encourage you to seek out your passion. If you’re feeling particularly uninspired then it’s the perfect time to re-assess the work you’re doing or the life you’re leading. If you’ve yet to find your life’s calling, don’t settle, keep looking. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.

Originally published at social.shorthand.com.