It’s likely most people have heard of a ye oldie natural ‘medicine’ from the east that makes big claims with little scientific evidence. But perhaps there is something of merit that can be taken from the east with regard to pandemics. Albeit not a miracle cure made from crushed buffalo bones infused with seahorse juice.
It’s been odd to many and something of a marvel that across Asia they infection and indeed death rates have been comparatively lower. This is especially strange as the first outbreaks were in Asia. Are Asians more resilient to the types of pandemic currently circling the globe? Well yes in a way.
Firstly when the reports started to emerge of a new virus almost immediately Asians donned masks and assumed the worst. Masks are a part of everyday life for many anyway but perhaps due to recent outbreaks like SARS they are foremost in the minds of people.
Social distancing is the norm, while difficult in big cities it’s still considered polite and appropriate behaviour. Personal space is expected and its rude to infiltrate. Hugging, greeting kisses and shaking hands are generally not practiced, rather a bow, the wai or similar are the order of the day.
Another, and perhaps the most interestingly effective, behaviour is cleaning the inside of your nose. How often do you clean inside your nose? In many Asian countries it’s a part of daily hygiene etiquette. Usually performed when showering but often additionally during the day. This may singlehandedly provide an effective measure against certainty airborne viruses and perhaps other droplet basis viruses like our current global anarchist. It’s certainly odd that this form of hygiene never made it to western shores but it makes sense. There are many nasal irrigation recipes to choose from but surely even plain water would be of some assistance. It may take some time to adjust to rinsing inside your nostrils but the benefits could be wide ranging not least with virus control or reduced severity.
As governments mandate Asian personal space etiquette, non touchy-feely greetings and face coverings in public, perhaps its time to advocate expanding our daily hygiene routines to include nasal irrigation. It’s not chance that this ablution took hold indeed it’s plausible that the benefits garnered made it stick. It certainly seems like a good practice if only to clean your airway.