Photographer and home builder Robert Liverman has become an unlikely crusader for a method he believes people can use to help protect themselves from COVID-19 — daily rinsing their noses.

The 52-year- old Mechanicsville resident has created “Flush to Live” to spread the word about this approach.

And although he’s not a scientist or physician, there is increasing research literature indicating he is on to something that could be beneficial.

Mr. Liverman said he got the idea after watching a news story demonstrating that the coronavirus, like others, becomes dangerous after entering the nose and infecting certain cells where it can grow and migrate to infect the lungs and other parts of the body.

Dr. Andrew Lane, a nose specialist at Johns Hopkins University, is among those who conducted the study showing the nose is where the virus sets up.

“It just came to me,” Mr. Liverman said. “Why not use a nose flush like people do for allergies? You can buy a bottle to flush your nose at almost any drug store.”

He has created his own flush he uses daily. He said 500,000 people so far have watched his Tik Tok video where he demonstrates his low-tech recipe: A half-teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into a gallon of distilled water, with the mix being put into a nasal spray bottle and applied.

While no studies have backed up the use of a nasal flush or Mr. Liverman’s ingredients, a Sept. 14 ScienceNews article lends credence to his idea.

ScienceNews reported the nose “has emerged as a key battleground in the war against COVID-19” as a result of published study from Dr. Lane and his colleagues.

According to the article, scientists are testing nose sprays, nasal disinfectants and even baby shampoo as applications that could reduce or destroy the virus.

For example, a study published in Ear, Nose and Throat journal suggested that a diluted solution of iodine used in a nose spray could safely kill the virus.

ScienceNews reported other scientists are testing nasal rinses that use a mixture of water, salt and baby shampoo on those testing positive to halt the growth and spread of the virus by washing it out. Soap is known to be highly effective against the virus.

According to Dr. Lane, further testing is needed, but the idea of a nose flush or spray “holds promise.”

Mr. Liverman said he has called and talked with everyone he could think of to try to get the word out about the potential for a nasal flush to help people avoid the ravages of COVID-19.

As an African-American, he understands the impact the virus is having on people like himself.

He said he has called the state and national public health agencies in a bid to get them involved in talking up nasal flushes, but has had no success. Dr. Danny TK Avula, director of the Richmond Health District, has not responded to a Free Press query.

Mr. Liverman also has been talking with Black church organizations about spreading the word through their congregational networks.