Buzz
Many individuals are currently advised to 'work remotely' or prepare for 'self-quarantine' if they might have been exposed to COVID-19. However, questions remain about the specifics. For instance, is working from a café allowed? Can you take your dog for a walk?
To begin, it’s important to clarify a few key terms:
Quarantine applies to individuals who might be infected but are unsure. If you’ve been instructed to 'stay home and monitor for symptoms,' you’re in self-quarantine.
Isolation is for those who are confirmed to have the illness. If you’re experiencing symptoms like coughing and fever and suspect you have COVID-19, you’ll likely be in 'self-isolation' (or possibly hospitalized). In this case, you’ll need to be extremely cautious about how you manage your symptoms and interactions.
Quarantine may transition into isolation if symptoms develop, highlighting their connection while emphasizing their distinct differences. Simply working from home, however, falls into an entirely separate category. Let’s explore some specific situations.
If your educational institution or employer has instructed everyone to remain at home
If you’ve been directed to work remotely or your school has shifted to virtual classes, the goal is to remove the school or workplace as a potential hotspot for virus transmission. This assumes you haven’t been directly exposed to the virus (to your knowledge) and is purely a preventive measure.
This scenario doesn’t qualify as quarantine or isolation; it’s simply about minimizing your risk of becoming part of the transmission chain. While there are no rigid guidelines, it’s wise to avoid crowded spaces. For instance, working from a bustling café isn’t advisable.
It’s frustrating because much of the advice for remote work (including ours) includes mental health suggestions like: Leave the house! Meet a friend for lunch! Exercise during your break! Regrettably, if these activities involve crowded areas, it’s best to limit them.
This doesn’t imply you must completely avoid public spaces, but it’s wise to reduce the frequency of your outings. I now dine out less frequently than before. I visit the gym during off-peak hours and always ensure I wash my hands thoroughly afterward.
If there’s a possibility you’ve been exposed to the virus
If a public health official contacts you due to potential exposure to someone with the virus, adhere to their guidance. Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions about permissible activities; their advice will be more accurate and up-to-date than anything I can provide here.
If you’ve recently traveled to a high-risk area or have been instructed to remain at home and monitor for symptoms, it’s time to begin self-quarantine.
The primary goal of quarantine is to maintain distance from other individuals. You should avoid situations where you might inadvertently breathe near others or touch surfaces that others may contact. As long as you can stay at least six feet away from people, activities like the following are acceptable:
Take your dog for a walk
Work on your garden
Go jogging
In this situation, you should absolutely steer clear of working in cafes, dining at restaurants, attending work or school, going to events or parties, and it’s advisable to avoid shopping or running errands yourself; ask someone else to handle these tasks for you. Additionally, refrain from hosting any gatherings. Inviting friends over might seem like a good idea, but it undermines the purpose of isolation.
If you are aware that you’re ill
If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or suspect you have it), you’re no longer in quarantine but in isolation. The principle remains the same—avoiding contact with others—but now you’re certain of your illness. This requires heightened caution to prevent spreading the infection within your household.
The CDC provides guidelines for households with an infected individual, recommending that the sick person wear a mask if possible and use a separate bedroom and bathroom if feasible. Frequent cleaning of surfaces is also essential.
How to get ready for a quarantine
You don’t need an excessive amount of toilet paper or a stockpile of supplies for a doomsday scenario. Preparing for a potential quarantine simply ensures you can comfortably stay home for several days without issues.
As Lisa explains in our guide on stocking up, suitable supplies include a small surplus of your regular purchases. Essentials include soap for handwashing, long-lasting groceries (such as frozen meals, not just dried beans), and any medical or health-related items you typically use or might require when ill, like tissues.
