Self Quarantine
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The pandemic coronavirus continues to surge around the world. It has affected not more than 100 countries and infected more than 120,000 individuals. The death toll continues to rise as well.

Amid this pandemic virus, the government and health officials are encouraging all those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and those who have travel histories from countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19 to self-quarantine.

However, despite the efforts of the government and health officials to mitigate the pandemic virus, it seems that many are not taking seriously the problem. In fact, many still roam around even after the declaration of the community quarantine and lockdown.

In the United States, many were asked to self-quarantine and to self-monitor because of the swelling number of COVID-19 cases in the country. There is no exception to this because even lawmakers who were exposed to a man who tested positive for coronavirus even decided to self-quarantine.

In the recently published article, there are things that one should know about the do's and don't while in self-quarantine. Doing so will help mitigate and contain the virus. However, if this will not be followed, the so-called "self-quarantine" is very useless. These are the things that you should know according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

Prepare yourself to:

Ban visitors who do not have any important matters to be at your home

Do not let anyone in while you are in a self-quarantine. If you purchase food online, you have to leave a message to leave the food on your doorstep. Disinfect your house also and in the meantime avoid hire services like housekeepers or dog walkers.

Avoid sharing household items

Patients who have COVID-19 symptoms should avoid sharing items with other family members. Most of the commonly used items that should not be shared are drinking glasses, cups, dishes, eating utensils, including beddings and other items. It is important to take note that after the patient used these items, it must be washed thoroughly.

Clean and disinfect all "high-touch" surfaces

You have to clean at least three times a day the highly touched surface in your house if you have a family member who is undergoing delf-quarantine. That includes doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, bedside tables, and more every day. Make sure also to clean the surface which may have bodily fluids on them. In doing this, you can use cleaning spray or household products that kill coronavirus bacteria. Just make sure to follow the instruction in using a spray.

Wash laundry thoroughly

Remove and wash clothes immediately that have blood, stool, or bodily fluids on them. Make sure also to use gloves in handling soiled items. Remove the gloves after and wash your hands using water and soap.

Meanwhile, CDC did not give any answers yet when they were asked if someone who is in self-quarantine can rely on a communal laundry if he or she does not have a washer and dryer. The best thing to do at the moment is to ask your local health officials.

There are also some protocols that you should follow while in self-quarantine aside from the things stated above. You can ask for these protocols from your health officials in your place. But, these are the common measures set by the CDC for those who are undergoing self-quarantine and are positive for COVID-19:

Stay at home, except to get medical care

  • A person who is undergoing a home quarantine is typically advised to stay at home for 14 days. If the test result shows that you are positive for coronavirus, you have to call 911. Or if you are planning to visit a hospital, call your doctor first and tell him or her that you have coronavirus. This will help them to prepare what needs to be prepared.
  • A person who is undergoing self-quarantine and is positive for coronavirus must avoid going to public places. This includes going to their workplace, school, grocery stores, picking up a take-out, and more. Always remember that before you go out, think first the number of people that you could possibly infect.
  • Avoid going somewhere most especially if your mode of transit is through buses, subways, planes, and shared-ride services like Uber and taxis. Again! Just stay at home!

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

  • One of the best practices that you should do to mitigate the virus is to stay away from your family even from your partner and kids. As much as possible, you have to separate yourself by having your own room and bathroom. However, if this is not possible you have to report to your local health officials to address this concern. Or just clean the highly-touch surface at least three times a day.
  • There is no evidence yet from CDC that animals can also be infected with COVID-19 or can carry the virus. However as much as possible, you have to avoid being kissed or licked by your pet. It is recommended that you limit your contact with your animals until further information about this is released. However, if you want to take care of your pet while you are sick. just make sure to wash your hands before and after and make sure to wear a mask.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

  • If you are COVID-19 positive, make sure to call ahead of your doctor and tell him or her honestly about your situation. This will help them prepare the place and keep away other people to be exposed and infected from the virus.
  • The best thing to do also if you want to be quarantined in a hospital is to call 911 and tell them that you are tested positive for COVID-19. Wear a face mask before the 911 medical services arrive at your home. Remember, avoid a shared vehicle like Uber and taxis if you are tested positive because this just increases the risk of spreading the virus.

Wear a mask if you are sick

  • Make sure to always wear a mask most while in self-quarantine. But, in a situation where you don't want to wear a mask because of difficulty in breathing, people inside your house should wear a mask instead.

These are just few of the things that you should be reminded of while you are in self-quarantine or you are positive for coronavirus.