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Does Drinking Water Stop the Coronavirus?

Does Drinking Water Stop the Coronavirus?

A few stories circulating around the Internet asks the question, does drinking water prevent coronavirus? The answer is no, it doesn’t. Although it does not stop the spread of it from occurring, drinking water and staying hydrated still is a big factor in staying healthy. During a time that’s creating distress and unease on a global level, it’s important to preserve our physical and mental well-being with steady habits and a sense of normalcy wherever we can find it.

Drinking water throughout the day remains as beneficial as always, although it is not a miracle cure for those who have the coronavirus disease or for those who think it will prevent it from spreading. Hand washing and social distancing are what stops the spread. Since there are many misconceptions floating around, despite the reputable news from health organizations and government sources, it’s a good idea to break down some frequently asked questions regarding how water plays a part within the coronavirus outbreak. 

 

How Important Is Keeping Hydrated During the Outbreak? 

Hydration is key to support good health. It’s part of the directive given to treat nearly every illness and disease: get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Water helps to flush out toxins and bacteria from the body. It’s critical to regulate heart health, brain functioning, and body temperature. Staying hydrated helps to maintain energy levels and keep the body in balance. 

All of these benefits are important during normal times and is further emphasized during this pandemic. For many who become infected, symptoms are mild, but can last for several days. Most people will be able to recover at home, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In rare cases, it can lead to respiratory infections and other problems. Maintain good hydration and nourishment while receiving plenty of rest. If symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider prior to arriving at the hospital or emergency room. 

It’s important to self-isolate so as to not spread the virus to others. While one infected person may only receive a mild case of it, it can gravely affect others in ways that require medical emergency care. The biggest stress that the CDC, WHO, and other organizations are sharing is the act of social distancing to preserve the health of others.

 

Does Drinking Water Limit the Potential of Contracting COVID-19? 

Water is a way to promote good health, but it does not prevent nor limit the potential of contracting the coronavirus infection. Protecting yourself from the virus includes washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. If soap and water are not immediately available, use hand sanitizer. It’s also recommended to avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, since they can transmit the disease from an infected surface to your body. 

Clean and sanitize public spaces frequently. Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue and immediately dispose of it. And, recently, the act of social distancing has become the number one way to prevent the virus from spreading. After all, if you are not in contact with an infected person or surface, you prevent the risk of being infected too. 

While drinking water may make you feel healthy in other ways, it does not limit your likelihood of contracting the coronavirus infection. Good hygiene and social distancing are how you protect yourself and others.

 

What Can People Do to Be Smart about Water Usage?

The CDC has said that they have detected no coronavirus in water. The standard water treatment methods used in most municipalities should remove or deactivate the virus. That means it can still be used for cleaning, washing, and cooking at home. Additionally, options for at-home disinfectants include five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water or four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. When making this at-home solution, it’s important to check that the bleach has not expired or has been mixed with other cleansers or ammonia. 

On the other hand, drinking water in public carries a greater concern due to the spread of germs. Water stations that consist of a jug or pitchers and cups, water fountains, or other makeshift measures have a greater likelihood of contamination since those surfaces may go without being sanitized on a consistent basis. 

This is especially true for larger crowds, such as restaurants, gyms, or businesses. Despite the order to reduce gatherings for the sake of social distancing, employees for essential businesses still need hydration while also practicing smart sanitary behavior. 

The option of having a FloWater Refill Station provides crisp, cool, purified water with a minimized risk of germs and grime buildup. The hydration station has self-sanitization tanks and internal system. The fill area has a recessed nozzle and a one-touch button to fill up any size of water container. It’s a smart option as restaurants are moving to carry-out options and other places of businesses are limiting the number of people it can host at one time. It’s a sanitary and convenient way to provide fresh, purified water on-demand with little maintenance required.

 

Why Is Soap and Water Is More Effective Than Hand Sanitizer?

Drinking water will not prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, but washing with soap and water will. Soap breaks down viruses and water washes them away. One side of the molecules that make up soap breaks the chemical bonds of a virus, makes it soluble in water, and it disintegrates. The “pieces” of the virus then get flushed down the drain. However, this chemical action takes at least 20 seconds to occur, which is why the stress on thorough hand washing is important. 

Although sanitizer works in a similar way, it has to have a very high alcohol concentration level to achieve the same effect. The CDC recommends using hand sanitizer that’s at least 60 percent alcohol. It’s great in a pinch or when you’re not near a faucet, but to fully rid the hands of bacteria and viruses, washing with soap and water regularly is best. This action, though, simple is not taken by everyone at the same level, which is why germs spread in the first place. 

 

The Need for Safe and Sanitary Drinking Water

For decades, schools, businesses, and other public places have relied on water fountains and communal water coolers to keep people hydrated. While convenient, these aren’t the most sanitary or environmentally-friendly options. Water fountains are a host for germs and do not offer filtered, chilled water. Water coolers aren’t convenient to handle a large capacity, plus the plastic is not beneficial for the environment.

The innovative design of the FloWater Refill Station is a solution for all of these common challenges. There is less dirt, grime, and germs thanks to a recessed dispense nozzle, one-touch button fill, and hidden catchment tray. Plus, activated oxygen provides automatic chemical-free sanitization for the tanks and internal system. 

The hydration station can serve a high capacity of people with a short fill time per person. It takes nine seconds for someone to fill at 24-oz. water container. And, every time water is dispensed the tanks are automatically refilled, holding seven gallons of purified water at a time. Additionally, the water that’s available is crisp, purified, and chilled to a perfect 42 degrees every single time. Water that comes from fountains or water coolers are often lukewarm or are hit or miss being chilled or at room temperature. 

The refill station water service is also beneficial to the environment because it doesn’t require the use of plastic. Plastic waste continues to pollute our landfills and oceans at an alarming rate, much of which is a result of single-use plastic bottles. Eliminating this from major industries is an impactful way to leave a smaller carbon footprint. It also makes people feel good about being able to make a contribution to the planet.

In the wake of a pandemic, the first concern is maintaining the essentials, which includes water. Having a source of water that is clean, convenient, and able to sustain a large capacity is important and will continue to be the case even in the aftermath of the virus outbreak.

 

FloWater Ensures Everyone Access to Clean Drinking Water

Clean drinking water should be accessible to all. It’s a resource that’s needed on a daily basis. It takes the tap water available and transforms it into highly-purified, crisp, great-tasting water. FloWater’s seven, unique filtration steps purify and improve the water to rid it of all traces of contaminants, including viruses. People can feel good about drinking FloWater and enjoy its refreshing taste.

As industries continue to turn to FloWater as an ongoing solution to provide their fresh water needs, it will become more common for people to expect it wherever they go. Even though there is a pause in the normal routine of things, having access to clean water is still a necessity and always will be. People are adapting to a new way of doing things and preparing for a healthier future. Investing in the benefits of FloWater is one of the many ways they can achieve that.

 

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