Making Self Isolation Work for You
This blog post was last updated Sunday, December 6th, 2020 at 2:30 PM EST.
Man - what a time to be alive. We knew that 2020 was going to be a momentous year, but I didn’t think that the entire world was going to be infected with a virus. Coronavirus has affected the entire world, and we have all had to change our lifestyles and routines. But after all the information and news I have digested, I figured now would be the perfect time to write a blog post about how to make self-isolation work for you & how to make our current situation better.
Learn the facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
All of this information has been received from the CDC, the WHO, and Worldometer.
Information from the CDC (Center for Disease Control)
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (CDC)
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
If you would like to learn more information about the cases in the U.S. from the CDC, you can check out this resource linked here.
The best thing to do in these times of desperation, anxiety, and confusion is to stay informed & keep being informed by the most reliable sources.
Information from the WHO (World Health Organization)
The WHO has conducted a Q&A shown on their website here that answers many questions, such as:
How does COVID-19 spread?
How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
And many other frequently asked questions answered.
If you would like the latest updates from the WHO (World Health Organization) about the Coronavirus, click this link here.
Information from Worldometers
This website provides up to date statistics about the current state of COVID-19 in our society.
As of Sunday, December 6th, 2020 at 2:30 PM EST, there are:
67,227,698 Coronavirus cases (compared to 216,626 cases back on March 16, 2020)
1,539,831 deaths (compared to 8,908 deaths back on March 16, 2020)
46,490,674 recovered (compared to 84,359 recovered back on March 16, 2020)
You can view the latest statistics concerning COVID-19 right here.
Hear what a Poison Center Employee’s take is on Coronavirus
I have an individual in my life who works for the Poison Center. They have been taking phone calls non-stop during regular Poison Center hours, to help with the influx of people calling in and asking about COVID-19. I wanted to ask them about what they have heard people asking about for the Coronavirus, advice that they offer to those asking about testing, and general advice during this tough time in our society.
Q: What has work at the Poison Center been like in the past few weeks?
A: It has been crazy. 10 people are logged into the phones and answering calls back-to-back for around 12 hours straight. You can hardly get a break, there are so many phone calls coming in.
Q: How can someone get tested for COVID-19?
A: If you feel like you have symptoms, you should consult your doctor first. Your doctor will first test you for the flu. And if your flu test comes back negative, they will then give you a doctor’s note to get a COVID-19 test. Of course, you still have to make an appointment to get this test, but more cities are coming out with drive-thru pre-screening, to make things easier on hospitals with limited tests.
Q: What do you suggest people do during self-isolation?
A: I would suggest that younger people in their 20s should stay home & don’t go out into the public unless absolutely necessary. No one is safe from catching the Coronavirus. And young people are the most susceptible to giving it to others in their lives with weakened immune systems or simply cannot fight the virus on their own. We must take this seriously and do what we can to help stop the spread of the virus. And the safest way we can do that is by being at home.
How to make self-isolation work for you
Understandably, it is a weird time for us as a society to adapt to the world’s day-by-day conditions with the Coronavirus. My work officially announced yesterday that we will be working from home until April 6th, 2020. I am very thankful for being able to work from home, but I can admit that I am starting to get a bit of cabin fever being in my house for so long.
I wanted to show you all that you can make self-isolation work for you by doing activities you previously didn’t have the time for, and making the most of your time with your significant other (or with yourself, as that is one of the most important relationships of all).
If you are working from home:
try to make a similar schedule to the one you had while working in the office
take regular breaks to stretch and walk around
make sure to follow the 20-20 rule
look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds
wear clothes you would wear to work, to help you physically and mentally feel as if you are at work
remember to set work-times and relaxing-times, as it is easy to fall back into work if it is in front of you
If you are bored:
Pick up a new hobby!
Meditate
workout
FitOn is a great + free fitness app for iOS and Android, made by the Youtuber better known as Blogilates
learn how to cook or bake
re-organize your cabinets
hang up wall art
make some new art
find new board/card games to play
make up your own games!
Enjoy the weather outside
During this time, it is important that we stay calm and informed with our credible news outlets and health organizations that are put in place to give us the most up-to-date and critical information.
Do you still have any questions concerning Coronavirus?
Should I make another blog post relating to things you can do while staying at home?
Please share, leave your questions or comments in the space below, and let me know how I can help you during this time.
My contact page is always open if anyone needs someone to talk to, and you are always free to talk to me on social media.
