While many things are looking like they are going to be severely impacted by COVID-19, savvy cannabis smokers have been avoiding many nasty things that fell under the umbrella term wook flu for years by practicing good hygiene.

If there was ever a time to adapt to the moment, it’s right now for cannabis smokers looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle as the coronavirus sweeps across the world. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak had officially reached pandemic status. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, said “WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said when announcing Coronavirus’s new classification. 

WHO noted they don’t throw around language like pandemic lightly, as not to spark public fear. But in the last two weeks, the number of people outside China that have contracted coronavirus has increased 14-fold.

As of Wednesday morning, WHO reports more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives. In addition to the lives already lost, thousands of more are currently fighting for their lives in hospitals. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday that 17 cases have been confirmed locally. 

As more and more cities across the world declare bans on major public events, one by one cultural institutions like the NCAA Tournament, Coachella and others have been devastated as delays and cancellations roll in. The cannabis industry is no stranger to this recent strife. 

Spannabis organizers in Barcelona opted for a last-minute cancellation as vendors were on route. More locally, the Palm Springs edition of Hall of Flowers, a very popular industry B2B event, was canceled. 

We don’t want to speculate quite yet what the impact of coronavirus will be on 4/20 festivities this year but there is plenty you can do to keep yourself in the best shape possible 

Wash Your Hands Before You Touch Your Weed

Ideally, you’re a reasonably or above hygienic person that is washing your hands more these days than in the past, but it’s extra important before you start breaking up your weed. 

While still obviously recommended, when packing a bowl sterilizing your hands is even more critical when you start putting them super close to your mouth in the process of spinning up. Imagine having the coronavirus on your hands then licking the blunt or joint, spreading it up and down. 

And if you do one of those hand chillum things when you smoke in groups thinking it’s keeping you safe, it doesn’t work if your hands aren’t clean. You’re just huffing in the germs in your hands while you hit the joint. 

Personals

Pot is a very social thing for most people, but being social and sharing are two very different things. The personal joint or bong snap is timeless. With a bong, It’s a lot easier than worrying about wiping the bong down between every rip to just smoke a half-bowl pack to the face. Which gets us to our next point.

Glass is The Easiest Thing to Keep Clean

No style of cannabis consumption is more friendly to quick cleanings than glass. While sloppy germs can really stick to papers, you’re an alcohol wipe away from feeling a lot better about the situation in the event you do end up sharing a pipe or bong. 

The Essential Elbow 

That was the biggest bong rip you’ve ever taken. Nobody is judging you if you cough, we promise. But please just cough into your elbow. Nobody wants you to hand them a lighter covered in nastiness.

Clean Your Rolling Space or Tray

Over time, even the nicest stuff will start to get a bit of crud on it if you’re constantly rolling weed on it. While I was taking an alcohol wipe to my miniature rolling tray and silicons mats around once a week before the pandemic started, I am now doing it even more. Apart from having a nice shiny clean rolling surface, I get a little extra peace of mind.

Everyone be safe out there and tell your grandparents to only smoke joints to the face. 

 

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