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“In the current pandemic battle, besides everyday steps such as washing hands often, wearing masks, covering coughs and sneezes to prevent COVID-19, we are also asked to practise “social distancing”, “self-quarantine” “stay at home”. What do they mean & why?
In the absence of a safe vaccine and effective treatment for COVID 19, our only best defence in this pandemic is to break the transmission. The best ways are social distancing and self-quarantine, and both can be achieved by staying at home. So, it’s important to educate ourselves about these measures and what the difference they can make.
How the COVID-19 Virus Spreads
This virus infection spreads mainly among people when they are in close contact with each other (within 6 feet or 2 metres) for a lengthy period of time.
When a person with the infection coughs or sneezes, that someone is expelling droplets and micro-droplets with great force, travelling into the air. Some, especially the micro-droplets continue to remain in the air for a few hours whilst the heavier droplets land on to surfaces. Depending on the type of surfaces, they virus remain active for different lengths of time.
Unfortunately for those nearby, they may breathe in the virus laden droplets leading on to an infection.
Besides breathing in virus, in addition, people can get the virus by touch on contaminated surfaces. After touching the contaminated surfaces, you can get infected when you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. Thus, social distancing is important in preventing you from contacting with infected people or contaminated surfaces.
Emerging evidence shows that you can be infectious without knowing it as you may have the virus, but asymptomatic. Hence the silent hidden danger could be the person next to you or you yourself. Another important reason for wearing a mask, social distancing and self isolation.
How to Practice Social Distancing
To practice social distancing, stay at least 3 feet or best 6 feet (2 meters) from others and avoid gathering. Examples are:
- Work from home instead of at the office
- Cancelling small and large gatherings in private and public places e.g. neighbour’s’ house, restaurant, shopping malls.
- Avoid using public transportations
- Closing schools and switch to online classes
- if you must go out to shop for grocery, stay at least 6 feet away from others, and wear a mask or face covering.
Photo by Koumaras Stefanos from Flickr
Self- Quarantine (or Stay Home Notice)
Someone who might have exposure to COVID-19 is to practice self- quarantine or served a Stay Home Notice by the health authorities. For instance, you may be served a Notice or you might want to self- quarantine when you return from another country where the disease is spreading rapidly. The recommended duration of quarantine is 14 days, and it includes:
- stay at home for 14 days and self-monitor your health
- do not venture out even to buy groceries, ask friends and family for help
- watch out for any symptoms and check your temperature twice a day
- stay away from the high risk groups in your home. These include the very young children, the elderly, people who have chronic diseases, HIV, cancer & transplant patients. This group will be affected seriously, if infected
- Not having visitors
Isolation (or Quarantine Order)
If you have been closely exposed to an infected person, or the diagnosis is still pending, you are regarded as a suspect patient. Hence the health authorities will order an isolation or Quarantine Order to break any potential transmission. It can take place in hospital or at home.
In healthcare setting, special personal protective equipment is used to when healthcare staff come to care for people under quarantine. At home, the suspect patient should be completely separate from others by eating, sleeping and living separately alone in a bedroom with different bathroom if possible. Absolutely no physical contact with anyone else, is allowed.
Meanwhile, keep a watchful eye on signs of any symptoms and monitor your body temperature frequently
Flattening the curve
Social distancing, self- quarantine, and isolation are necessary and proven to successfully “flatten the curve”. The main aim of “flattening the curve” is to slow down the rate of COVID-19 infection and prevent a sharp peak so that the hospitals will have enough capacity, supplies, and doctors to accommodate all patients. Too many cases of COVID-19 infections at a same time can overwhelm the healthcare system, causing shortage of hospitals beds, equipment, or healthcare professionals.
Photo by Janet Loehrke from USA TODAY
Stay Connected
As social creatures, we, human might find it tough to live with social distancing, quarantine and isolation. Fortunately, this digital age is bringing us together through social media, messaging apps, video calls to stay connected with our loved ones. It certainly can’t replace the genuine and warmth of human face to face interactions.
However, if it keeps the one we love around us safe, it well worth it. The more people take this seriously, unite together to practice it without exception with no let down, the more we are likely to win the war and overcome the biggest global crisis facing us today.
Photo by Kadir Karagul from Flickr
Conclusion
We are all living in difficult times and want to know when life can return to normal. However, everyone has to make personal sacrifices to protect ourselves, family and community. This pandemic can only come to an end if we individually play our role and make a difference together.
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References:
1. Maragakis L. Coronavirus, social and physical distancing and self- quarantine [Internet]. The Johns Hopkins University. 2020 [ Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine; last updated on 2020 Mar 31; last accessed on 2020 Apr 8]
2. Social distancing, quarantine and isolation [Internet]. CDC. 2020 [Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html; last updated on 2020 Apr 4; last accessed on 2020 Apr 8]
by Chang Xian
View all articles by Chang Xian.
