Smell of a Clean Slow Death: Preemptive Measures or Overkill?

I wish to bring attention to what I find are implications of governments and people’s efforts to mitigate transmission. From one extreme to another, household cleaners and heartburn drugs, it appears that the public and scientists’ actions comes close to dangerous in their attempts of prevention or treatment.

Measures people are taking have resulted in an overuse of toxic products which can lead to unintended consequences. Before the pandemic, the use of household cleaners, scented sprays, and bug sprays were the norm. What’s different? Extreme use of disinfectant sprays, sanitizers, wipes, and pesticide sprays in closed quarters of public spaces and private spaces.

Before the lockdown, people sought outside diversion getting fresh air. Thorough cleaning was on average once a day or weekly. During the lockdown, people have little to no fresh air unless they go outside. Yet, their cleaning of surfaces and outside products has increased.

Now, children (and adults) are being confined almost 24/7 in spaces where they are breathing and coming into contact with harsh chemicals. How are parents mitigating children or elderly with preexisting heart and respiratory conditions, allergies, and asthma in an environmental which is constantly sanitized on the surface and in air breathing space?

Previously, I pointed to the reported discrepancy of adult to child ratios of susceptibility and infection. However, what explains recent reports of children developing blood clots and/or trouble breathing? Scientists are arriving at different conclusions.  

Physicians and Scientists, consider the possibility that this condition may not solely be attributed to the virus itself but from the body’s allergic or over-reaction to an overuse of wipes, sanitizers or inhaling of strong cleaning agents or toxic fumes (i.e. ammonia, bleach, etc.) in close quarters with little to no ventilation. Consider society’s increased use of household cleaners and pesticides during this pandemic.

Examination of household cleaners, one can find chemical additives like chloride, ammonia, and yes, pesticides. I came across a toilet bowl cleaner in liquid form that noted on the label of how to dispose of pesticides? Obligated by law to disclose ingredients, corporations’ use of harmful chemical are revealed.

Unintended consequences of continuously being inside exposes people, especially the vulnerable, children, elderly, and pets to increased amounts of toxins and pesticides. Ironically, a corporation which relishes in calling itself a “family” company has cornered the market on household products.

For example, their products not only include baby items, talc, and body lotions but bug sprays and household cleaners which ingredients include ammonia and harsh chemicals some can argue are counter-productive for breathing.

It is said that “where there is smoke, there is fire.” Although it’s taken centuries for government policies to mandate “no smoking” in particular quarters and spaces, I don’t foresee such regulations for the chemical industry.

Yet, if you the consumer are the master of your domain, the “King of the Castle,” it is up to you to take appropriate vital preventive measures. Ask yourself, “Am I the dirty, lazy or poor SOB the company ideally markets to whose economic situation has forced to live in unsanitary conditions? Or, am I simply a dumb schmuck that has brought home unfounded fears of the current pandemic and overzealously spray and sanitize my home and myself silly?  

In other words, if you take preventive measures like wear a mask, hand wash and disinfect packages you bring home, why the overkill in the use of cleaners or fumigators while you or others are home almost 24/7? Recall that you’re asked to leave your home during flea fumigation.

Remember that as long as wipes and sanitizers claim to kill 99% of bacteria, germs, etc., you will be destined to contend with the 1%. Every time you aim your bug spray at that pesky creature, it’s over in an instant for that small bug. But the smell of death lingers in your airspace endlessly, or, that of your children or pets no matter the amount of disinfectant or fragrance spray you use to mask it.

Sure, you’re big and tough now, immune to the death of 1000 wipes and sprays. But in time, wipe after wipe and spray after spray, you may sadly come to realize that that 1% was you all along.