Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

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Stefanie Miller* is worried. Ive read that when they gave the Sars / CoV vaccine, it actually caused lesions on the lungs in mice, she wrote in a Facebook group where parents share alternative health advice for themselves and their children. Who knows what damage this one will cause? Soon the post has dozens of replies, with other people most of them young mothers sharing their own fears about a potential vaccine for Covid-19, the disease that has now killed over 376,000 people since it first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019.

For most people, the relentless focus on vaccines weve seen over the past four months is a departure from the norm. While for decades vaccines were simply another part of growing up, the race to create a vaccine is now front page news, with progress updates making a regular feature in the UK governments daily press briefings. Conversations about the long-term impacts of coronavirus inevitably veer into the unknowns around a vaccine. How long will it take? Where will it be developed? Who will be the first to benefit if we do get one?

But for a vocal minority, vaccines have always been something to fret about. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent hunt for a vaccine comes at a time when confidence in vaccines is at worryingly low levels in many countries. In a 2018 study for the European Commission, the Vaccine Confidence Project found that in France just 70 per cent of people thought that vaccines were generally safe. In August 2019, after several years of declining MMR coverage, the UK lost its status as a country that has eliminated measles. In late 2018, Brooklyn, New York City saw the largest outbreak of the disease in nearly 30 years.

For many who either delay or refuse to be vaccinated something that the World Health Organisation classes as vaccine hesitancy a rapidly-developed vaccine for a novel disease is precisely the kind of situation they had been discussing in Facebook groups and on YouTube videos for years. In an era of doubt, and amid a soup of online misinformation, confidence in vaccines is under threat like never before.

We need to recognise that there is a general public who have very valid questions and concerns, and we need to engage them because were losing, says Heidi Larson, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the director of the Vaccine Confidence Project (VCP), which tracks public confidence in vaccines. The VCP has already started measuring public sentiment around Covid-19 and Larson has been sending regular briefings to Public Health England about attitudes in the UK.

The battle over vaccine confidence is most visibly waged online. An analysis of Facebook data from scientists at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. found that anti-vaccine groups were more effective at spreading their message to neutral Facebook pages than those groups that were explicitly pro-vaccine. As an analysis by WIRED found, anti-vaccine disinformation is often catapulted from more ideologically-driven Facebook pages onto local community pages. There, conspiracy theories jostle for attention alongside posts about church gatherings, local restaurants and road closures.

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Larson says that public health authorities will need to shift their thinking in order to engage with people who are hesitant towards vaccines. For decades public health has largely seen under-vaccination as a problem of access, a matter of making sure that everyone who needed a vaccine has access to one. Indeed, it is a cruel side effect of the Covid-19 pandemic that almost 40 million children in Pakistan missed their polio vaccination after nationwide programmes were halted.

But the nature of vaccine hesitancy is very different. As well as people who are ideologically opposed to vaccination, Facebook groups promoting alternative treatments are full of people who teeter on the edge of vaccine hesitancy and find a responsive audience of committed vaccine doubters armed with reasons why they should shun vaccinations for their children. We're afraid to get out of our traditional box and go into that messy, emotional space. But that's where they all live, says Larson. We need a whole bucket of new tech savvy, smart people who know the current dynamic.

What people see and hear on the news matters as well. In the UK press, and at the government daily briefings, a lot of focus has been put on the speed with which vaccines are being developed. While the government is trying to strike a tone of optimistic reassurance, for some vaccine hesitant people this has the opposite effect. So they are fast-tracking a coronavirus vaccine, one woman wrote in a Facebook post to a group about alternative medicine. No studies of safety or guarantees if indeed it will in fact work.

Several people we spoke to expressed their own versions of these fears. One woman worried about the speed with which vaccines were being developed, and the motivations of companies developing them. Another wondered whether a vaccine would be effective or not, and why some countries had been less affected by the coronavirus than others. One consistent point of worry is whether a coronavirus vaccine will be mandatory or not. On May 4, health secretary Matt Hancock said it was unlikely that any vaccine would be compulsory.

Larson says that the government needs to take more care to keep the public engaged in what is happening with a potential vaccine and to be realistic about the odds of the development efforts succeeding. We don't even know what will happen, she says. There could be all this expectation and nothing. Remember HIV? The vaccine we were definitely going to have in five years, 30 years ago?

There is also an opportunity here to demonstrate the value of vaccines beyond the obvious health benefits. We wouldn't be in lockdown if we had a vaccine. We wouldn't have this total economic disaster if we have a vaccine, Larson says. There could be a generation of people for whom vaccines are not just a momentary childhood inconvenience, but the road that returned us back to normality after an unprecedented level of disruption all over the globe.

Its too early to tell whether Covid-19 will be the moment that arrested the rising tide of vaccine hesitancy, but if that is to be the case, public health authorities will have to find a way to engage those who are already preparing for a fight over a Covid-19 vaccine. So heres the plan, one person wrote on the alternative health Facebook page. Once this coronavirus vaccine comes out us anti-vaxxers need to lie low. [...] it looks like anyone who doesnt comply will be treated as an untouchable.

*Name has been changed

Matt Reynolds is WIRED's science editor. He tweets from @mattsreynolds1

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Coronavirus is the day of reckoning for the anti-vaccine movement - Wired.co.uk

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Updated: June 2, 2020 2:22:35 pm A lot of people have taken to talking about immunity-boosting measures, along with Actor Anushka Sharma. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock Images)

Ever since the coronavirus has impacted the world, immunity boosters have become the buzzword. A lot of people have taken to talking about immunity-boosting measures, along with actor Anushka Sharma who has been sharing tidbits from her lockdown days along with husband and cricketer Virat Kohli.

Alkaline water has a ph level 8 to 10 against the pH level of 6.5 to 7.5 for drinking water. This gives a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is on a scale of 0-14. Generally, regular drinking water has a ph of 7 making it neither acidic nor alkaline. Alkaline water has antioxidant properties and helps to fight free radicals.

There are quite a few studies which highlight the benefits of drinking alkaline water. According to one published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, alkaline water provides higher longevity in terms of deceleration in ageing as it increases survival functions. In another study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, a significant difference was observed in the whole blood viscosity of participants after consuming alkaline water as opposed to drinking regular water after a vigorous workout.

A study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine indicated that drinking alkaline water may prevent osteoporosis and protect pancreatic beta cells with its antioxidant effects.

How does alkaline water boost ones immunity?

An excess amount of toxic compounds in the body means it will have to work extra hard to maintain its biological functions. This may lead to weakness. On the other hand, alkaline water neutralises these toxic compounds present in the body. Moreover, alkaline water is more easily absorbed by the body. This allows your body to use the water you drink effectively, and toxins and harmful substances are flushed out of your system more easily.

Drinking alkaline water regularly can improve the performance of your circulatory system, says Dr Suresh Sisodia, Sr. Vice President, Havells India Ltd. It alters the quality of blood in such a way that more oxygen is carried to vital organs. All benefits of alkaline water work in tandem to make the immune system stronger in order to fight foreign pathogens and infections.

Due to its basic nature, alkaline water neutralises the acidic content in the bloodstream, lowers the Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) resulting in the antioxidant nature of water while introducing a variety of natural minerals to regular drinking water. Drinking alkaline water has umpteen number of health benefits such as supporting digestion and assimilation, strengthening of bones, weight reduction, better hydration for skin and body alongside other benefits such as anti-ageing and detoxifying properties, etc, added Dr Sisodia.

Further, it also relieves acid reflux, which affects people who eat cuisines that tend to be spicy. Additionally, alkaline water has antioxidant properties that help to prevent the growth of cell-damaging free radicals, which can accelerate the ageing process.

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Here is how alkaline water boosts immunity - The Indian Express

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) restructured the containment zones in the city according to the positive, active cases in these areas on May 19.

The city had 69 containment zones till May 3 which was brought down to 65 as of May 18. Though the containment zones have been reduced, the combined area of these zones has increased from 9.91 square kilometres to 10.46 sq kms, said officials.

After the May 18 revision, 24 containment zones were removed while 20 were added. Most of the containment zones are in Bhavani peth and Dhole Patil road wards.

As per the Covid-19 dashboard report, the number of cases within the containment zones has gone down from 201 cases inside containment zones and 57 outside the containment zones as of May 17, to 104 cases inside the new containment zones to 51 outside the zones as on May 20.

New treatment strategy for Pune patients

The task force created by the civic body for Pune has recommended Tocilizumab (IL6 inhibitor) usage, which is a monoclonal antibody which has come up as an alternative medicine for Covid-19. It has suggested five-six mg per kg (400 mg max) dosage to treat Covid-19 patient and prevent them from becoming critical. The drug is prescribed once a day (2 dosage keeping interval of 24 hours) and can be used for first 25 patients and results will be analysed to decide further use in patients. In view of this, the PMC has given a work order of value of Rs 15 lakh for 50 injections and 25 patients will be treated with two injections per patient.

The civic body is also trying Hydroxychloroquine, commonly used for malaria, for those quarantined, suspected Covid-19 patients. Individual prophelexis of HCQ is given to institutional quarantined suspects. Right now there are 1,600+ suspects, out of whom 50% are with non-comorbid and have been given HCQ on top priority, remaining are given HCQ under the doctors supervision until further investigation like ECG, blood test and sugar test to determine its efficiency.

Originally posted here:

Containment zone area spreads from 9.91 to 10.46 sq kms in Pune - Hindustan Times

Shelly Lewis approached the California supermarket with a script in mind.

Hi, I have a medical condition that Im not allowed to wear a mask and Im not required by HIPAA rules and regulations to disclose that, Lewis told a supermarket manager, who nonetheless explained that she would not be allowed inside without a protective face mask. Youre discriminating against me now, do you know that? Youre discriminating against me.

Lewis, a prominent member of the Flat Earth movement, recently uploaded footage of the encounter online, where it went viral even after she deleted it. A re-upload on Twitter currently has 5.4 million views.

But across the internet, in circles decidedly less fringe than Flat Earth, Americans are spreading disinformation about medical laws that allegedly exempt them from wearing face masks amid a pandemic that has killed over 90,000 people in the United States. Earlier this month, a set of memes began instructing COVID-19 skeptics (many of them conspiracy theorists or conservatives) to lie about having a medical condition in order to avoid masking up. One meme, which was amplified by an erstwhile Republican congressional candidate, tells readers to cite laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to essentially trick people who ask them to wear protective gear.

The memes arent just annoying for frontline grocery-store workers who have to enforce masking rules. They undermine regulations written for people with legitimate disabilities, experts said.

Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University professor specializing in public health law, said some people do have real health concerns that could give them ADA protection to avoid a maskeven amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

If they have severe breathing difficultiesasthma, or other significant respiratory problemsif a mask makes their breathing more labored, theyd be protected under the ADA, Gostin told The Daily Beast. But you need to be able to demonstrate that youre disabled. It cant be an idle claim.

The anti-masking backlash seeks to exploit that very grey area.

An early iteration of the meme, flagged by fact-checking site Snopes this month, called it a mask loophole. The original post, in a conspiratorial Facebook group, offered a script to follow. It told readers to falsely claim they had a medical condition that prohibited wearing a mask. If questioned, the person was told to answer that according to HIPAA regulations, youre not allowed to ask me that. Please dont discriminate against those who can not wear masks.

That is not how HIPAA, an act that prevents health-care workers from sharing your medical details, works. People like Lewis tried using the script anyway.

The earlier Facebook post has since been refashioned with a more formal-looking image, adding photoshopping on an ADA logo, as well as legal gobbledegook threatening a $75,000 violation for businesses that ask a person why they arent wearing a mask. Shortly after the images emerged, believers began spamming them into the comments sections for local businesses.

Two of the most popular memes in this genre look like hall passes that can be printed out and stuffed in the hands of Walgreens workers. ATTN government agents, reads one. Please provide lawful and necessary consideration to aid the bearer in the unimpeded exercise of constitutionally protected rights. The other includes the mailing address of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, vaguely implying the flyer might be federally sanctioned.

Both misspell HIPAA as HIPPA.

As with many successful disinformation ploys, the claims have a kernel of truth. If a person has a legitimate disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, the ADA might require businesses to let them in. But even in the case of a legitimate disability, Gostin noted, a business would be legally allowed to bar a person who was endangering the public.

And if a person were to prove medically unable to wear a mask, it would only be doubly important for those around them to wear protective equipment.

A person with asthma or other respiratory problems is a highly vulnerable individual, Gostin said. If they were to get COVID-19, itd be a stronger likelihood that they might get a very serious illness, resulting in hospitalization or death. Theyre more likely to contract the illness if exposed, so we need widespread masking to protect persons with disabilities.

Nevertheless, the supposed anti-mask pass seemed to be creeping toward the mainstream. One popular version, with hundreds of shares, was uploaded by a Flat Earther on Facebook. (For all anti-maskers gripes that masks are tyrannical, the uploader had liked the Facebook page for an openly pro-Nazi Flat Earth YouTuber, who recently released a rap with the lyric you are blind so fuck what you say, Ill expose the flat Earth and Heil Hitler all day.) Longshot ex-congressional candidate James Marter shared one version earlier this month.

Mistrust in institutions, like public health organizations, can help make people more susceptible to health hoaxes, like the HIPAA meme. Such appears to have been the case for Lewis, the California woman whose showdown at the grocery store went viral.

Lewis often speaks about being diagnosed with lupus and losing faith in the medical field, though she has said she overcame the illness by eating healthy food and natural supplements. (Lupus may be covered by the ADA, but advocacy groups have encouraged people with the disease to wear a facemask during the pandemic.) Prior to her diagnosis and her conversion to Flat Earth belief, she wanted to be an astronauta profession ridiculed by Flat Earthers who believe space is fake.

I jumped from job to job and doctor to doctor, Lewis said in an interview at a Flat Earth conference in November 2019. No doctor could really help me. This is lupus, sorry, just take medication the rest of your life. Long story short, I got the medical discharge, and kept getting sicker and sicker. I basically just said theres gotta be a better way. I started looking into alternative medicine.

In 2014, when she started watching Flat Earth videos on YouTube, her prior medical skepticism helped shape her new worldview.

Most people dont test [space travel] because weve been taught that rocket science is hard. We need to leave it to the professionals, she said. We dont question our doctors.

Lewis deleted her Facebook account this month after her mask video went viral.

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The Hot New Far-Right Coronavirus Trend Is Claiming a Disability to Avoid Wearing a Mask - The Daily Beast

The report on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine market provides a birds eye view of the current proceeding within the Complementary and Alternative Medicine market. Further, the report also takes into account the impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine market and offers a clear assessment of the projected market fluctuations during the forecast period. The different factors that are likely to impact the overall dynamics of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine market over the forecast period (2019-2029) including the current trends, growth opportunities, restraining factors, and more are discussed in detail in the market study.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine market reports deliver insight and expert analysis into key consumer trends and behaviour in marketplace, in addition to an overview of the market data and key brands. Complementary and Alternative Medicine market reports provides all data with easily digestible information to guide every businessmans future innovation and move business forward.

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The worldwide Complementary and Alternative Medicine market is an enlarging field for top market players,

The key players covered in this studyColumbia NutritionalHerb PharmHerbal HillsHelio USADeepure PlusNordic NaturalsPure encapsulationsIyengar Yoga InstituteJohn Schumachers Unity Woods Yoga CenterYoga TreeThe Healing CompanyQuantum Touch

Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoBotanicalsAcupunctureMind, Body, and YogaMagnetic InterventionMarket segment by Application, split intoDirect ContactE-trainingDistance Correspondence

Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South America

The study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Complementary and Alternative Medicine status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Complementary and Alternative Medicine development in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Central & South America.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, market and key regions.

In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Complementary and Alternative Medicine are as follows:History Year: 2015-2019Base Year: 2019Estimated Year: 2020Forecast Year 2020 to 2026For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2019 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.

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This Complementary and Alternative Medicine report begins with a basic overview of the market. The analysis highlights the opportunity and Complementary and Alternative Medicine industry trends that are impacted the market that is global. Players around various regions and analysis of each industry dimensions are covered under this report. The analysis also contains a crucial Complementary and Alternative Medicine insight regarding the things which are driving and affecting the earnings of the market. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine report comprises sections together side landscape which clarifies actions such as venture and acquisitions and mergers.

The Report offers SWOT examination and venture return investigation, and other aspects such as the principle locale, economic situations with benefit, generation, request, limit, supply, and market development rate and figure.

Quantifiable data:-

Geographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, covering North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India

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Finally, the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market provides a total research decision and also sector feasibility of investment in new projects will be assessed. Complementary and Alternative Medicine industry is a source of means and guidance for organizations and individuals interested in their market earnings.

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Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis on Current Trends by 2028 - Cole of Duty

Picture for illustrative purposes: acupuncture Image Credit: Pexels

Dubai: All private health facilities in Dubai will be able to resume most of their alternative medical therapies with immediate effect, except for dental and ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) services which continue to fall in the essential or emergency category only. Health care professionals have welcomed this move as this will provide an economic lifeline to most clinics that have been impacted by the clampdown on elective therapies and procedures in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Complementary Medicine therapies to resume

In a circular dated May 11, sent out to all private health facilities in Dubai the Dubai Health Authority announced the resumption of all Complementary and Alternative Medicines(CAM) such as Ayurveda, naturopathy, Greek, Herbal and Chinese medicine, including those involving needles such as acupuncture.

The circular also announced the resumption of physical therapies such as those offered by chiropractors, osteopathy and osteopaths.

Dental and ENT to continue to be limited to emergency and urgent only

However, in case of Dental and ENT services the circular clearly stated: Visits for ENT and Dental clinics will be limited for emergencies and urgent cases, and according to the assessment of the treating physician, including but not limited to: acute dental pain, severe infections, injuries and trauma, orthodontics, root canals etc.., all other appointments to be postponed where possible, to avoid aerosol generating procedures from dental and ENT treatment for public safety.

A Dubai-based dentist explained that an aerosol affect is created when dentists use high powered devices that require compressed air, such as ultrasonic scalres dental handpeices, high speed instruments used to disnfect a tooth during a root canal treatment. The aersols which are a mixture of the debris of microorganisms from the oral cavity of the patient and tiny droplets of water from the high pressured devices get airborne and remain suspended in air for some time. These aerosols can pose risk of airborne diseases to the clinician, staff and other patients as well. With several studies pointing out the possible airborne transmission of the Sars-Cov-2 virus, any procedure which creates an aersol affect has to be carried out only in emergency and urgent cases.

High level of compliance to sanitsation and hygiene

The activities have been restarted with the caveat that all the medical facilities will continue to observe the current guidelines on maintaining a high standard of industrial sanitasation and hygiene with special focus on patient receptions, operation theatres and elevators and document their daily disinfection operation on a daily basis as per the the protocols set by the Dubai Municipality. All health professionals must adhere to the precautionary measures for preventing spread of infection such as wearing proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) at all times, practising hand hyiene, taking patients in by appointment only, having patients wear masks and gloves and making sure that adequate social distancing is maintained in the facility.

The DHA will subject all facilities to regular rounds of inspection to make sure that there is compliance to all aspects of guidelines and protocols.

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Alternative medical therapies allowed to resume in Dubai - Gulf News

Since we started the company in 2017, concerns in medicine have only increased over the gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents available today, Bradford La Salle, co-founder and president of Ferric Contrast, said in the announcement. Doctors and patients want new options."

Theres been a number of endeavors investigating the possibility of a gadolinium-free MRI contrast agent, including a University of Texas at Dallas project utilizing organic radical contrast agents.

Janet Morrow, PhD, a co-founder of Ferric and UB chemistry professor, says the interest in iron-based compounds is largely due to the fact that the element is found naturally in the body, unlike gadolinium.

Iron is regulated, recycled and stored in humans, making it more likely that the body can handle any accumulated iron, Morrow, who also serves as Ferric Contrasts chief scientific officer, added in the statement. We have developed iron complexes that are highly soluble and stabilized in the trivalent high-spin form.

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University spinoff receives $750K to develop iron-based alternative to gadolinium contrasts - Health Imaging

Depending on who you talk to, the current coronavirus pandemic might be the natural product of evolution, the result ofa lab accidentor a biological weapon designed by the Chinese. Lockdown measures to impose social distancing restrictions are responsible measures designed to protect public safety or theyre part of a Democratic Party plot to destroy the economy in order to diminish President Trumps chances of reelection in November. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease specialist, is either a respected medical professional ordevious member of the deep statewho is using the coronavirus (which he may or may not have helped create) to control the public through amandatory vaccination.

And those are just some of the narratives that are spreading within the United States.

In countries around the world, equally implausible ideas are circulating, derived in part from their particular political and historical situations, but also cross-pollinating with a wide array of conspiracy theories, misinformation and state-sponsored content, ranging from blatant propaganda to more subtle disinformation campaigns. In some cases, the dearth of verifiable information has resulted in the spread of misinformation by fairly reputable and well-intentioned sources. The coronavirus infodemic, however, has allowed a host of malign actors from the Russian government to domestic extremists to scam artists peddling bogus cures to exploit existing societal fissures for their own political or personal gain.

All of that just contributes to this massive, unstoppable flow of information that would be impossible to contend with even for the most resilient society, said Nina Jankowicz, a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.

In fact, Jankowicz told Yahoo News that other than in countries such as Turkmenistan, where the government has imposeda complete clampdownon any and all information related to the coronavirus, I cant imagine a country that would have no proliferation of conspiracy theories or disinformation at this time.

Disinformation feeds on anxiety and promotes emotional and irrational responses. I think its a common misconception that disinformation creates some sort of new feeling in people, Jankowicz says. Often its really weaponizing preexisting feelings, or certainly amplifying them.

So the anti-vax groups, for instance, are going to be more likely to buy into this narrative about the vaccine being somehow an instrument for global control. The folks who are distrustful of the United States, whether thats in the Middle East, or in China, or Russia, are going to be pawns of their nations propaganda machines.

You can see that phenomenon at work in internet metadata. In aninterview with Politicolast month, Joel Meyer of Predata, a predictive analytics firm, said that since the beginning of the pandemic, his firm has observed an increase in traffic from Persian and Hindi-language internet users to websites that are critical of Western medicine and promote alternative healing methods, including unproven supplements. At the same time, Meyer said that in European languages, including French, German and Italian, anti-vaxxer attention has really spiked recently.

Were seeing interest rise to unprecedented levels in alternative medicines and treatments, he told Politico, concluding that, based on the analytics, that type of disinformation is sinking in, its having an effect.

Source: Yahoo News

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Coronavirus related conspiracy theories spread across the internet - The Yucatan Times

In late March, Washington state officials launched an online portal to report non-essential businesses operating despite Gov. Jay Inslee's order that they close.

But some people have received threats and harassment after filing reports and having their personal information released by the state.

Among the complaints to the state:

A Kirkland woman reported on March 30 that an alternative medicine business was open and advertising an intravenous drip that could supposedly boost ones immune system against the coronavirus.

A man, concerned about a Redmond coffee shop inside a QFC that remained open, filed a report using the portal a day later.

And in Seattle, a business owner watched as customers visited a spa next door to his yoga studio, which hed closed to clients. He submitted a report, he told KUOW, because he thought the longer non-essential businesses remained open, the longer the Covid-19 pandemic would persist.

These reports were among thousands submitted to the state regarding the alleged operation of non-essential businesses, against Inslees stay-at-home order. The measure is intended to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

These three individuals told KUOW they didnt realize their names and contact information would be subject to public disclosure. A fourth person said she didnt believe anyone besides state officials would go through the trouble of obtaining the complaints.

Related: Violate stay-at-home order and risk arrest or having business license revoked, state officials say

Many discovered that wasnt the case when they received a mysterious email on May 6, warning that their personal information was being circulated online. The email was sent by treamaiden@gmail.com, which appears to now be defunct.

You may or may not have recently sent a complaint to Jay Inslee of Washington state," the email reads. "Recently I came across your information by what I believe may have been a leak of everyone who turned in a business.

Ten minutes later, harassing phone calls came rolling in for the Kirkland woman, who asked not to be named in this story, citing concern for her personal safety. Kirkland was the first hot spot identified amid the U.S. coronavirus outbreak.

Some of the emails and voicemails were mean-spirited, others threatening.

I just got news that you knocked on my business," said a male caller with a seemingly affected New Jersey accent. "You got 48 hours to get the f--- out of Washington, or Im coming for you and your loved ones.

Warning: This voice record includes offensive language.

You liberal f------ c---, I hope you choke on the f------ virus, said a woman with the cadence of someone who might live in northern Washington. Im so glad its public disclosure.

Warning: This recording includes offensive language.

Those who reported potential violations found themselves on what would become known as the snitch list. The document, which contains names, phone numbers, email addresses, and the complaints themselves, was shared within politically fueled Facebook groups.

KUOW is not naming the complainants in question, as they have requested not to be identified out of concern for their safety.

It was a lot. It was really scary and stressful, the Kirkland woman said, recounting the numerous voicemails and emails that she received. I was just trying to be a good person. I thought my information was protected.

By reporting businesses to the state, these complainants unwittingly found themselves in the middle of a conflict between right-wing groups advocating against business closures and state officials who argue the shutdown is necessary to curb the pandemic.

The "snitch list" was requested 19 times before the warning email was sent to the Kirkland woman on May 6. Several media outlets, individuals, and people who listed themselves as lawyers asked for the document using public disclosure requests.

The document is now housed on a website run by conservative activist Glen Morgan, who lives on a farm in Thurston County. On his website, Morgan calls the document the list of Inslees informant army.

Within the first four days of it being posted, 6,500 people downloaded the spreadsheet containing the complaints and contact information of those who filed them. Morgan said he posted the list as a matter of transparency and habit.

"I will never write an article unless I absolutely have to that doesn't have the original source-linked documents that I'm referencing," he said. "If you look at the other articles that I write, I mean I put up hundreds of original source links usually government documents on a monthly basis."

Morgan told KUOW he doesnt condone the harassment that has resulted from the list circulating online. He said the culprits behind the intimidation should be identified and exposed. Still, he doesn't intend to remove the list from his website.

When asked if he would feel responsible if someone on the list were to be harmed, Morgan said No but I think the state should be.

As he sees it, state officials created a hostile situation.

"It's certainly not a good way to build the harmony in the community or, you know, really achieve anything other than just pitting neighbor against neighbor," Morgan said.

I mean, that's something that you would find more in like an Eastern Germany spy novel, you know or China, he said.

Today, the online complaint portal gives this warning: All of the information collected at this site is considered public information. All of the information collected at this site is public information that will be publicly released in a public records request per RCW 42.56.

This disclaimer had been on the website, which linked to the form, but not on the form itself. This meant that people who Googled the form, or accessed the form through a media outlet, would not have seen the disclaimer.

Governor's Office spokesperson Mike Faulk said officials "strongly condemn" the harassment resulting from the circulation of complainants' personal information.

"The treatment people have been subjected to is unacceptable and repugnant," Faulk said by email. "It is extremely troubling that people who were trying to keep their communities healthy were subjected to this."

He said the harassment has not discouraged people from submitting complaints through the online portal, to the surprise of state officials. However, more of the reports are being filed anonymously now.

Meanwhile, the Seattle yoga studio owner said he's not satisfied.

"I support what our governor is doing," he said. "I'm very disappointed in him just kind of brushing this aside when ... people being threatened is also a matter of public health. "

The harassing phone calls and emails the Kirkland woman received have died down for now. But the experience has left her shaken.

I would never provide contact information ever again for anything, she said. I literally thought this was completely anonymous and Im trying to be a good person. And now Im afraid for my life.

Read more:

'Snitch list:' Trolls harass those who reported Covid-19 business violations in Washington state - KUOW News and Information

Immunity booster drink: Alkaline water may provide many health benefits.

Highlights

The current Coronavirus pandemic has left everyone searching for answers. While the world struggles to find a medicinal solution, it is clearer than ever that we must focus on boosting our immunity- a seemingly simple yet one of the most effective preventive solutions against any infection or flu. While reading umpteen number of articles on different 'superfoods' and supplements that can boost our immune system, what we generally miss considering is probably the most essential part of our day-to-day existence - alkaline water.

While consumers in general have become more health conscious over the years, many of them are still not aware if the water they drink daily is fit for consumption. Majority of the households seem to be satisfied with a simple Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purifier in their homes, which in turn, drains water of many minerals that are essential for the body, lowers it pH and thus renders it acidic leading to a bitter tasting, corrosive water that is unfit for drinking.

The solution lies in relooking at water purification in its entirety. To be more precise, it is time to turn to Alkaline Water- a significant step towards boosting the immune system.

(Also Read:How To Make Mint Water For Healthy Weight Loss And Good Immunity)

Alkaline water helps boost immunity and enhances hydration.

To begin with, alkaline water when introduced in the body neutralises the acidic toxins present in the body. Overabundance of these toxins essentially means that the body must work overtime to maintain healthy functions- resulting in lethargy and overall weakness. Alkaline water, which is easily absorbed in the body allows for a more efficient system of flushing the toxins and harmful substances out of the body. Alkaline water is also known to improve the performance of one's circulatory system, which means better blood quality and more oxygen to vital organs.

Additionally, drinking alkaline water hinders the growth of free radicals in the body that can fasten the ageing process. As per a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, a significant difference in the whole blood viscosity of participants was observed after consuming alkaline water as opposed to regular water after a strenuous workout. According to a study published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, alkaline water provides higher longevity in terms of "deceleration aging factor" as it increases the survival functions.

(Also Read:How to Make Alkaline Water at Home)

Alkaline water is fortified with a range of essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium and trace elements like copper, zinc etc. that are essential for maintaining body's metabolism. A study published in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine showed that consumption of alkaline water may prevent osteoporosis and protect pancreatic beta cells with its antioxidant effects. Yet another study published in Public Library of Science (PLOS) said that drinking alkalised water enhances hydration, improves acid-base balance and anaerobic exercise performance. People who drink alkaline water claim that it provides greater hydration than regular water. Since many people suffer from dehydration, especially so in warmer climates, drinking alkaline water may be an effective way to keep the body well hydrated.

There are many other known benefits of drinking alkaline water, such as stronger bones and weight loss. All the benefits above collectively prepare the immune system to battle foreign pathogens and protect you from many diseases and health issues.

Dr. Suresh Sisodia is Sr. Vice President at Havells India Ltd. He is a veteran in the water purification industry with an experience stretching over three decades. Prior to joining Havells as Sr. Vice President (Water Purification) in 2016, he was associated with brands such as Aquaguard, AquaSure, Forbes, Livpure and Euroclean. His educational qualifications include a doctoral degree in Pollution modelling of Upper Ganga basin' from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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Alkaline Water: How It Is The Key to Boost Your Immunity - NDTV Food