A Pinch of Salt: Harm Reduction in the Pandemic

It is important to acknowledge how far research has come within the last few years and how salt has played a role in the SARS outbreak, the H1N1 virus outbreak, and now, COVID-19. Each new approach, study, trial, and prototype brings us a step closer to finding a treatment and cure for the global health crisis of the century. Salt and its extensive history, dating back to its discovery far earlier than any historical record, has proven its worth as an essential component in our world of food, disinfectants, and preservatives. Whole cities, towns, and civilizations were built based on the availability of salt, as it was considered to be a vital aspect of human life given its widely accessible and inexpensive nature. While this may seem absurd, it proves to us that salt and its multifaceted roles over decades and centuries have emerged to be effective.