Does the sauna help with coronavirus? No, it doesn't!

Tips for protecting against and recovering from coronavirus are circulating on the internet and in WhatsApp messages. Some instructions suggest staying in warm places, such as saunas. This would be welcome news for Finnish sauna-goers and sauna manufacturers.

However, according to experts, ”The sauna does not help with corona,” say chief physician of infectious diseases Asko Järvinen to Yle and docent studying viruses Varpu Marjomäki to Iltalehti. Instead, the gentlemen warn of the dangers of going to the sauna when you have a cold.

In this situation, it is advisable to trust experts and avoid the sauna when ill. Furthermore, official guidelines regarding movement and behaviour should be followed to avoid becoming unwell.

But a sauna helps with quarantine!

Around ten days after the start of the corona chaos, the mood is still one of disbelief and strangeness. Routines related to movement, work, family and friends are finding new channels. According to recommendations, it is important to find and maintain routines in this situation.

A Saturday sauna session in your own garden sauna is a worthwhile routine to maintain. Today, the thought of heating up the garden sauna crossed my mind several times during the day's chores. Finally, at the end of the afternoon, I was able to start preparing the birch logs and embark on a therapeutic walk to the sauna carrying water.

Carrying water, I was struck by the scenery illuminated by the evening sun. Snowflakes were gently falling to the ground. Smoke rose from the chimney of the backyard sauna. A magical moment. Below are a few pictures that we managed to save to the memory card.

After the sun had set and the sauna had heated up, we went into the sauna. Me and the boys. The men. Oh, how the steam caressed the mind, worn out by quarantine, and softened the few words spoken.

During our chat, the youngest asked if we could sing. We sang. And had a steam bath. And then it was quiet again.

After the sauna, the youngest was tired. In a moment, she fell asleep.

Sometimes it's good to be human. Even in quarantine.

In this blog post, 'quarantine' refers to the enforced restriction of movement imposed on us all.