Boost immunity with exercise
We're going out less, we're social distancing, or maybe we are even in lockdown.
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The last thing we are thinking about at the moment is exercising.
However, keeping moving might be one of the only ways we can improve our immune system naturally.
As we age our immune system becomes less effective at finding pathogens (bacteria, viruses and germs).
This is why older people over the age of 60 are at higher risk of infectious disease such as the common cold, influenza and COVID-19.
However, did you know that exercise can slow down the natural ageing process?
This effect of exercise extends to our immune system and can help us fight infection!So how much exercise do I need to do?
Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (eg. walk, run, ride) every day.
At a moderate intensity (you can talk but can't sing a song due to breathing heavier).
If you cannot do 30 minutes in a row that is fine.
Break up exercise into 10 minute intervals until you reach 30 minutes.
Doing exercise you enjoy will help with your motivation and long term adherence.
Those with long term exercise habits are found to have a better immune system than those who have only just started exercising.
If you are struggling to move or exercise there is always someone who can help you. Just ask!
Jack Menzies
Exercise Physiologist, Bowral
The cost must be shared
Seen only once before in Sydney, but a 60m long queue of people outside Centrelink Bowral of people who clearly can't cope.
Many are reeling financially from what is commonly today - survival from pay packet to pay packet - no 'fat'.
Expect to see a surge in 'petty' crime as people are forced into survival mode.
All of society shares a common foe .... that's not COVID-19, it's the banks and insurers.
The load is common and needs be shared - commencing now.
For people and business affected - a complete shutdown of loan repayment requirements without later penalty and then with lead time of X months to allow people/businesses to re-establish needs be in place now.
I can't see any major party politician dealing with that one, so the lending and insurance industries will escape responsibility.
Destroying society that feeds them is the price of money.
Peter Cunningham
Mittagong
Need to be 'much more careful'
It seems that we Southern Highlanders are not taking the Prime Minister's warnings about physical distance very seriously, judged by the closely packed queues at coffee outlets each morning.
This may be due in part to the fact that like most Australians, they do not see Scott Morrison is worth listening to.
However, with several Coronavirus cases in this area already the threat is serious and growing.
There are over 60 people in the Highlands like me with Multiple Sclerosis, which means our immune systems are severely compromised.
Of course we try to self isolate, but other members of our families must mix in the general community and bring back any virus that is transferred.
We need to be much more careful than we currently are if the Coronavirus is going to be stopped or even slowed down.
Bruce Mumford
Bruce Mumford
Help stop cross-infection
We need to do all we can to stop cross-infection of COVID-19.
Examples seen recently included:
- a baker handling bread with bare hands
- a trolley man wearing gloves - yet scratching his face/nose with his gloved hand
- a family - mum, dad, two x teenage kids - the kids sampling/testing/tasting different nuts from the open-nut display, with their bare hands/fingers
- senior citizen putting hand to face while looking at grocery options (in 'thinking' mode, I would guess).
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