An international emergency has been declared. Coronavirus cases are rising. The likelihood of anyone getting exposed to COVID-19 is increasing. Everyone should know what to do if they get exposed and have to self-quarantine. Assume someone in the home has the flu or coronavirus. These germs can go from one family member to another. What should a person do to reduce the risks to everyone else?
There are numerous ways people can reduce the risks and try to keep the flu from spreading.
People are being asked to self-quarantine due to coronavirus or from exposure to someone who has tested positive – they need to isolate themselves for a recommended 14-day period.
When people are protecting themselves at home, they should identify every primary or direct pathway and take action to segregate and eliminate the risks through a block and tackle style, as in football.
The first objective is to identify the source of the risk then block the pathway to prevent the transportation of germs from the source. The first source is an infected person – this person needs to be isolated, treated and kept away from other people.
The second objective is to clean and disinfect every surface which is potentially contaminated. Identify every possible secondary touch point, which are places where germs may have been left to find, pick up, carry and ingest.
Once again, blocking and tackling are the best ways to break the pathway. Flu and coronavirus can be sprayed into the air or dropped into liquids or on solid surfaces, where they can survive for up to eight hours. This is why it is easy to pick up the virus germs and get sick without realizing. Germs from an infected and contagious person can be left on any surface they touch, including food and water, as well as every physical item in a room.
The most common touch points are doorknobs, light switches, cell phones, desk and table tops, television remote controls, taps, toilets, sinks and items near their heads in the bedroom. Touch points also includes chairs, couches, glass, mirrors, pencils, paper, the floor, the carpets, books, even plant leaves and pets.
Self-monitor the healthy people. Check the temperatures of healthy people twice a day. Be on the lookout for symptoms and changes in people who come into contact with a sick person. Remain alert for fever, coughing, fatigue, weakness, lethargy and difficulty with breathing. If someone starts exhibiting symptoms, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others and call their doctors or health-care providers, or the local health department.
Anyone who has the virus will be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days. People who are sick should not go anywhere they can spread the illness. This means they must stay in one place in the house and avoid going into rooms used by other people.
Plan what is needing in the days ahead. Make a list of all the basic necessities on hand and what will be needed for two to four weeks. Build a shopping list. Shop online, pay with a credit card and have the items delivered.
Make arrangements and learn more about working from home. Call the boss, employees, co-workers, set up computers, dogwalkers and whatever else is needed. Identify, contact and make the appropriate arrangements.
Be wary of mis-information on the Internet. Place a higher trust in the most authoritative sources of information. Study the Myth Busters page for the World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters.
Create a list of the key people to call, including spouses, families, best friends, doctors, insurance companies, hospitals, school officials, day care providers, local health departments and the police. Make a family emergency plan handbook using notebook or a computer to create a list of the things that need to be done. Create a checklist and turn this into an action plan. Identify the chores that need to be finished, actions which should completed and how frequently these actions should be done. Place the plan on the kitchen table, allowing every member of the family to know what to do in an emergency.
