Alcohol consumption has been at an increase since we have all been in quarantine. As we have gotten extremely bored we have invested our time in Tik Toks, cooking, building, cleaning and Virtual Happy hours with friends. That’s right, we were all longing for social aspect of outside without actually being outside so the new IG trend became virtual happy hour through Zoom calls, Microsoft Teams and our trusted favorite Facetime.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alywalansky/2020/03/26/virtual-happy-hours-are-the-new-way-to-go-out-heres-how-to-plan-a-great-one/#578b3a9d2a34
This article on Forbes discuss how virtual happy hours have taken over and how to successfully create your own happy hour with friends with choices of choosing your own theme, setting, tone and even down to your own choice of beverage.
“Alcohol distributors reported a 50% increase in the sales of alcohol from one week in March of the coronavirus compared to a week the same year ago. Home delivery of alcohol has increased dramatically, and one report notes a 300% increase in alcohol sales in March compared to January”. Many health professionals have explained that alcohol consumption can be a result of stress. Stress drinking is the more appropriate term. These are hard times as we have all lost our jobs and incomes. Over 40 million people have applied for unemployment and the small amount of $1200 isn’t enough to uphold a household, WHY NOT DRINK?
https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_p0xim6x3
Even though drinking may seem to be the result to dealing with stress, alcohol consumption can definitely do some serious damage to your liver. At first the public health officials suggest that alcohol kills the virus but now they are saying that alcohol consumption puts at you risk for infection. Honestly what are we to believe! I suggest that we all drink within our limits in healthy doses. Be safe, be healthy but I’m not opposed to having a glass of wine or two!
References:
https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_p0xim6x3
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alywalansky/2020/03/26/virtual-happy-hours-are-the-new-way-to-go-out-heres-how-to-plan-a-great-one/#578b3a9d2a34
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alywalansky/2020/03/26/virtual-happy-hours-are-the-new-way-to-go-out-heres-how-to-plan-a-great-one/#578b3a9d2a34
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/women-and-alcohol
Yay! Thank you for writing out a blog that is simple to read and understand. A lot of the times, public health professionals and scientists use all these big words that others can’t understand, but explaining things simply is a great way to educate and help in prevention, in my opinion.
I like this post because it exposes the confusion that goes into details of information or announcements. FYI- Excessive alcohol can cause the ill health complications including liver issues. However, moderation is the key for every consumables and alcohol is not an exception.