Are you really well prepared?
🏥 "I am Health Hero, your guardian angel of health and prevention. Let's make sure you are well-prepared together. Vulnerable groups are particularly close to my heart, as they require especially many preventive measures and protection!" 🏥⛑️🩹🌡️🧪💉🌿🚑🏥🩺🧤💊🧴🩸🗺️
We, vulnerable groups with conditions such as Long Covid, ME/CFS, and MCS, need to learn to be very meticulous about our own preventive protection and to be well-prepared for possible crisis and emergency situations. Unfortunately, this requires our unique starting position ...
We need a more extensive portfolio of preventive and protective tools. The currently available (emergency) checklists are far from sufficient for our needs. Therefore, we urgently need to take action ourselves and make provisions. If it is no longer possible to do this independently due to health reasons, family, friends, and acquaintances should step in and support you.
Sometimes it's the important 'little things' that might be missing from your prevention and emergency preparedness kit (because they are not mentioned on the current (emergency) checklists, but are more than relevant for us). Especially for those affected by Long Covid, ME/CFS, and MCS.
- Emergency breathing exercises (coachman, goalkeeper, lip brake, etc.) should always be readily available
- Glucose tablets for quick energy supply
- Eye mask + ear protection (ear plugs) – especially for those affected by Long Covid and CFS, who often have high sensitivity to light and noise
- Anything that provides warmth (heated blankets, heating pads, hand warmers, hot water bottles, etc.), always consider your Raynaud's syndrome (many of us suffer greatly from it)
- FFP3/FFP2 protective masks (we are high-risk individuals!)
- Necessary supplements (Vitamin D3, folic acid/B12, Q-10, Vitamin C, magnesium, etc.) Many of us have very low levels of Vitamin D and folic acid, as well as low ATP values and low antioxidant activity, which means we also need to think about Q-10.
- Also think about possible hydration: electrolyte drinks, still water, rehydration solutions – BUT be careful not to add too much salt (it can lead to a dangerous salt shock and be harmful to health)! Sodium from natural sources such as coconut water is less harmful than added salt in water.
- Also, please consider gloves (hypoallergenic, latex-free) or medical cotton gloves.
- Everything related to antihistamines, such as Fenistil Gel, Desloratadine, Histakut, and especially Cetirizine emergency drops + spoon, EpiPen.
- Emergency contacts: a list of contact information, including emergency numbers, care services, and emergency responders, as well as trusted individuals who can be contacted in emergencies.
- Emergency sheet/emergency passport: with the most important information (e.g., medications, intolerances, PGx, i.e., important known pharmacogenetic polymorphisms such as CYP2D6, 1A2, NAT2, 2C19, 3A4/3A5, etc., allergies, required heat management, orthostatic hypertension, vascular issues/bleeding time e.g., PFA100, anaphylaxis, vaccination status (tetanus, etc.)...) + Special diets to consider (depending on the existing pathology) e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free, fructose-free, and glutamate-free, salicylate and histamine intolerance...
- If you are smokers, consider nicotine replacement products such as nicotine patches.
- Many of us also need important medical devices and tools in some form, so please consider: inhalers, CPAP machines, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, first aid kits, thermometers, blood glucose meters (device, test strips, lancing devices, control solution, diabetes kit), peak flow meters, nasal rinses + nasal rinse salt, syringes, needles, swabs, waste bags (sterile, tear-resistant), hygiene products (100% organic cotton), breathing masks, pocket masks (FFP3) e.g., 3M™ Aura™ 9322+, emergency bracelets e.g., Medical ID bracelets with important medical information, keychains, cool packs (reusable cold packs), emergency blankets, air purifiers with HEPA and/or activated carbon filters, mobility aids (e.g., walking sticks/canes/crutches, wheelchairs), reading glasses (+ spare), hypoallergenic plasters (including waterproof ones), bandaging materials (+ scissors).
- Don't forget to pack (small) tactile aids to reduce stress and anxiety, they fit in any pocket or backpack. (hier gehts zu Liste)
For those of us who love details: protective clothing (chemical-resistant and lightweight), nasal filters against pollen, such as WoodyKnows Allerscreen nasal filters, synthetic washing lotion based on particularly skin-friendly surfactants and care components (pH-neutral).
And of course, relaxation and mental health are very important, because mental and emotional health should have just as important a place in your preventive care program as everything else. So don't forget to prepare, that means an MP3 player with your favorite music, guides for breathing and relaxation exercises, meditation, books, e-books, music, audiobooks that don't trigger, ways to communicate with friends and family (e.g., video calls), in my very personal emergency kit, there's always a brush (non-toxic) to pamper my sensory neurons and the massage-like stroking also helps to calm my mast cells a bit (it really works).
Since anyone can get sick at any time, it is important to take proactive measures. Our checklist is designed to help you make informed decisions and take necessary preventive measures in a timely manner, so that you are even better prepared in case of an emergency.
Style and protection are by no means mutually exclusive 👗👔👠👜👒⛑️🥾🧤🕶️🥽🦺🧣
Perhaps you're wondering why we've placed the initials of our first names on our protective helmets?
It's simple: It enables quick identification if you're working in a group or get caught in a hectic situation. Rescue workers and helpers can recognize you better. It also facilitates communication, especially when names can no longer be clearly understood due to noise or stress. A single letter is easier to recognize and remember. It is a simple but very effective measure to increase safety and efficiency in critical situations.
Be well-prepared for any occasion; you never know which 'table set' you might urgently need someday and where... 🍽️🍲🪔🔥🛢️
It's better to be prepared before the lights go out ...⚠️🚨🆘⛑️📢🔌⚡🌌📴🕯️🔋💡🗺️ 🪢🧭
Stock up on essential food supplies – that way, you can easily get through the next few days, even without electricity. 🛒🍎📦🥔💧🥖🥫🛢️🍚🍝
We need to brace ourselves for more severe weather disasters
Each of us knows that the forecasts for natural disasters are worrying. Due to climate change, extreme weather events such as strong hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and floods are becoming more frequent and intense. In 2024 alone, natural disasters caused $320 billion in damages worldwide, with about $140 billion insured. (1) In many regions, heavy rains and severe thunderstorms are becoming more extreme and frequent. Think of the enormous flash floods and deaths in the Valencia area (2024), the severe fires in L.A. and surrounding areas (2025), the two hurricanes Helene and Milton in the USA (2024), earthquakes in Japan (where thousands of people were left without power and water for weeks and more than 200 people lost their lives). Or think of the deadly, massive Typhoon Yagi, which claimed 850 lives. The wildfire in Jasper National Park, the extreme rainfall and flooding in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)... this list can go on and on...
Before you know it, sandbags, shovels, rubber boots, and more could become your trusted and necessary companions to protect your home, your life, and the lives of your loved ones. 🪣🔨🥾🏡❤️👨👩👧👦🌧️ 🛡️🪓🪨 🌊🌪️🌀
Through smart precaution, forward planning, and supportive solidarity, we can face these enormous challenges more courageously and emerge as a stronger, more resilient society. I, your Health Hero 🏥, am firmly convinced of this. 💪
And please don't forget, just acquiring extensive equipment alone doesn't create safety and resilience; knowledge and proper application are just as important.
