Health : What do you need during COVID-19 quarantine?

The corona virus pandemic has already killed more than 13,000 people and infected more than 308,000 worldwide. And as the virus continues to spread, more and more countries and people will be quarantined at home and more and more people will choose to be alone and isolated from the rest of the world.

Schools are now becoming virtual, companies are using telework and we follow all the instructions to only go out when it is really necessary. This means that we will spend our days at home for an indefinite period. The rapid spread of the virus means that most of us will choose or be forced to choose to decrease our time outside, stay in quarantine or opt for social distancing. And according to the government, these are the measures necessary to “flatten the curve”.

What is the difference between quarantine, isolation and social distancing exactly?

Social distancing, isolation and quarantine all have different purposes, but all of these protocols are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 in countries around the world. Here is the meaning of each term:

–Social distancing: The term “social distancing” is used to describe the limitation of close interactions between people. This is seen through the fact that many conferences have been canceled, meetings have been limited and schools have closed. You can also choose to distance yourself from others by avoiding public transport or by opting for telework. Other principles of social distancing include avoiding shaking hands with the other or staying more than 2m from others.

What are the necessary things to have at home when we are in quarantine?

– Quarantine: Being quarantined or quarantining yourself is when a person who is not sick or at risk or shows no symptoms separates from others or drastically reduces their movements. The term is used when a person has been in contact or is suspected of having been in contact with an infected person and should monitor their symptoms. Quarantine is also used when individuals at high risk of contacting the corona virus must limit their exposure to potentially sick people.

-Isolation: Isolation is used when a person who is sick or has symptoms of the corona virus is separated by those who are in good health to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In some cases, a person may be isolated in a hospital, while others with manageable symptoms may be isolated at home.

If you are in one of these three cases, make sure you have over-the-counter medication if possible for 30 days.

The question many people ask is, “Do I have to go into self-quarantine to avoid possible exposure to the coronavirus?” Doctors advise everyone over the age of 60, as well as immunocompromised people, to practice strict social distancing and suggest that they stay at home as much as possible. Even if in the case in which we find ourselves today, we are all under a sort of social quarantine.

How to prepare for the quarantine of COVID-19?

There is much more to be done to prepare for quarantine due to the corona virus than to fill up with toilet paper and bottles of water. According to specialists and the World Health Organization, having an accurate list for quarantine time can help us prepare for spending a lot of time at home. We are not going to talk about quantities in this article because the quantities will depend on the size of your family. The quantities will also depend on the length of time we are going to spend at home.

Staying locked up at home can be very difficult and can even destroy your mental health.

And finally, it’s important to know that ‘storing’ and preparing to spend some time at home are two different things. We are not going to advise you to go to the supermarket shelves. It is simply recommended that you have enough of the essentials for your family.

Get the flu

It is very important for you or a family member if you are not vaccinated against the flu and you are still in good health, to get the vaccine. The flu vaccine is not effective against the corona virus, but it can help in several other ways.

Getting the flu shot greatly reduces the chance of getting the seasonal flu, which means fewer people in the hospital, which frees up space and doctors for people infected with COVID-19. By avoiding the seasonal flu, you also help your immune system stay strong, if it has to fight other diseases, such as the corona virus.

And finally, getting vaccinated means being responsible for yourself and the community. By reducing your chance of getting the seasonal flu, you are helping those with weak immune systems stay healthy and more protected from COVID-19.

General advice

First, find out if you are sick. Symptoms of corona virus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus can also cause aches, coughing, nasal congestion and sore throats. But it’s also important to know that the absence of these symptoms does not mean that you are free from the virus. Many people with corona virus show very few or no symptoms at all and this is why it is recommended that you do the following:

Corona virus is now a global pandemic

-Stay at home and especially if you are sick unless you absolutely need to go out.

-If you have to go out, keep your distance from others and avoid groups of 10 or more.

– Cover your mouth and nose and when you cough or sneeze, do it in your elbow or use a tissue.

-Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Several times a day. You can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if you are outside.

-Clean and disinfect the surfaces you often touch inside your home.

Things you may need when you are in quarantine

Generally, the most necessary things you will need will be the things you certainly already have at home: food, water, a warm place to sleep. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have the basics for an emergency:

–Food for 3 weeks: Don’t buy more food than you can eat, but now is a good time to use all the things that have been lying around in the kitchen drawers for a while. You can consume dried beans, rice, pasta, popcorn or instant jars for emergencies. Canned food is a staple product in emergencies. And if you keep them at the right temperature, they can last for years. Here is a list of canned products you may need:

No need to buy things you can’t use or don’t need

– Canned fruit: opt for canned fruit without added sugars

– Canned vegetables: Canned vegetables are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C and other nutrients. Canned vegetables are great for making omelets and jars.

-Beans: all varieties of canned beans are an excellent source of vegetable protein and can be used in many different recipes.

-Ravioli: cheese ravioli offer carbohydrates, proteins and their saturated fat content is low

-Fish: fish is a very good source of protein and omega 3 and can be used to make sandwiches for lunch or dinner.

-Soups and chillies: Choose several different varieties of soups and chillies for everyone in your family.

Are there things to privilege when you are shopping for quarantine?

Fresh fruits and vegetables will stay for one or two weeks. You can also freeze them. Frozen vegetables are also a good choice. If you buy milk, you have to look at the best before date. Oat and almond milk have longer durations.

-Water purifier: No need to panic: buy a few packs of water bottles to have enough for two weeks if necessary. But this is a lot of wasted plastic. What then is the easiest method? You can buy a water purifier to filter your water. You can buy this type of purifiers in supermarkets.

–Kettle or water boiler: There will certainly be no power cuts, so having a kettle or water boiler seems like a good option. It’s great for making coffee or heating water faster.

-First aid kit : Everyone should have a first aid kit and now is the time to make sure you have everything you need and especially acetaminophen.

-A plan if someone gets sick : It is very important to think carefully and write down on paper or on your phone a precise plan if someone in your family becomes ill. Like for example in which room are you going to isolate it. It is also important to make sure that your doctor’s number is up to date on your phone. Make sure you have a good emergency plan including the names of your doctors, a list of local hospitals and clinics.

–Your medicines for a month and your baby’s accessories for a month: Remember to make a plan of the precise medications you are using, including diapers for your baby, milk and other accessories for a month. You can also buy toothpaste, toilet paper, shampoo or whatever you are missing right now.

-Soap and hand sanitizer: At the moment it is difficult to find disinfectant or disinfectant wipes but normally stores and pharmacies will receive them in no time. If not, you can also make it a DIY disinfectant yourself by finding out how on the internet.

Things You Surely Wouldn’t Need During Quarantine

It is not reasonable to buy a quantity of anything for a period longer than a few weeks. Panicking and buying lots of toilet paper packs and cleaning supplies is useless and will not solve the problem with the virus, but can indeed pose a real problem for those who need it.

–No need for masks if you are not sick: Wearing a mask may indeed have an effect against COVID-19, but it is better to wash your hands instead of buying lots of masks. The quantities of masks are not sufficient at this time for doctors and buying too many is really not reasonable and is not recommended.

–No dehydrated food : Dehydrated food is full of salt and there is a massive shortage right now. It is recommended to follow the list of products above.

-No need lots of toilet paper packs: Do not buy more than you need. There really is no need to prepare yourself as if you are preparing for a nuclear war. Simply limit your exposure and that of others, wash your hands and avoid touching your face.

Prepare your telework

If you are fortunate enough to be able to continue working from home during confinement or quarantine, you need to make sure that you have everything you will need to work effectively. Here are some good practices to follow if you work from home:

– Prepare and dress for work every day: Preparing yourself as if you are going to work every day will increase your productivity and help you be presentable during the video conferences that you are going to have, and thus maintain a kind of routine at home.

-Avoid household chores at home: This can be difficult, but working from home does not mean that you will change your clothes, change dishes or clean during the day. To avoid doing this, do your household chores early in the morning or in the evening after work.

-Coordinate your meeting calendar: If you are confined or quarantined with someone else working remotely, you will need to coordinate your meeting calendars so that you don’t mind each other. In the event that each of you works in a separate office, this will not be necessary.

–Take breaks during the day: The hardest thing about working at home is setting limits. Make sure to take regular breaks when you can move around a bit, eat, or just rest.

Change your routine

Getting out of your routine and staying locked up at home for a long time can have a negative effect on your mental health. Here are some tips on how to avoid this:

-Medical appointments: If you need medical help that is not urgent or immediate, find out if you cannot book a medical appointment remotely online. Depending on your needs, the doctor can prescribe medication.

-Physical exercises: You can very well stay in shape at home. There are plenty of channels on YouTube that offer free exercise or apps that you can use on your phone.

-Maintain morale: As the corona virus spreads more and more and the death rate increases, it is quite possible that you may feel anxious or panicky. But in these moments, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. So try to stay as calm as possible and if necessary, consult a specialist.