Quarantine at home? Self-monitoring? Sheltering at home?

“From Natural News.com.  Both self-quarantining and self-monitoring have one goal: To keep individuals “who have been exposed, or who might have been exposed, away from others as much as possible” for a certain length of time.”

In the case of coronavirus, this often means 14 days (or the suspected incubation period of the disease.) Patients may not experience symptoms in the first several days after exposure; It can take up to 5 days for symptoms to appear.

When self-monitoring, you need to regularly check your temperature and take note of any signs of respiratory illness, like cough, fever or shortness of breath. You also need to limit your interaction with other people.”

Quarantine at home:  With schools and businesses closed or operating from home; and, people choosing this option because they are at high risk, Salt Lake County Health Department  (SLCOHD) offers this guidance:  You should not leave home for ANY reason, except when advised by your health care provider to seek medical care in person. Do not go to work, school, or any public place, including stores, malls, theatres, restaurants, or any other retail establishment. Do not visit family or friends or have any visitors at home.

SLCoHD has also recommended that those potentially affected households clean frequently touched surfaces in their homes every day; this includes counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, mice, tablets, and bedside tables”. Don’t forget to wipe down remote controls 

Are there COVID-19 symptoms in your home?  If anyone in your household exhibits symptoms, that ill person should isolated away from other members of the household. Contact a health care provider via telephone or a telemedicine app. Do not seek medical care in person without first contacting the medical facility in advance to receive instructions.

Most of us are hunkering down to some small or great degree – reducing, distancing when outside the home, or eliminating our social contacts and trips outside the home – in effect sheltering at home, even if we have no reason to think we have been exposed to COVID-19.  It is not only precautionary but will help reduce possible transmission.  It feels like the responsible thing to do, if we can.  

NOTE:  Most people infected with COVID-19 experience only mild illness. However, findings from other countries also suggest that around 10 to 20 percent of patients could have more severe cases of the disease.  

We seniors, elders and those with underlying health issues are at higher risk to be a severe case, therefore, should behave protectively for our own well-being.  

Regardless of which description fits your circumstances, be prepared for news that we are in this – all of us -- for a long haul.