Coronavirus, Social And Physical Distancing And Self-Quarantine Covid-19 Quarantine

Coronavirus, Social and Physical Distancing and Self-Quarantine

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Now that the new coronavirus and COVID-19, the sickness it causes, are spreading among communities inside the United States and more countries, phrases such as “social distancing,” “self-quarantine” and “flattening the curve” are display up inside the media.

What do they mean, and how might they apply to you, your family and your community?

Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H. , senior head of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins, helps clarify these concepts thus you can understand better why they’re being recommended.

What is communal and physical distancing?

While it may be disappointing to hear that thus many sports events, cruises, festivals and more gatherings are being cancelled, there is a public health reason intended these measures. These cancellations aid stop or slow down the spread of disease allowing the state be concerned system to extra readily care intended patients above time.

Cancelling events that are likely to draw crowds is an example of social and physical distancing. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space amidst persons to stop spreading illness. Staying at meanest six feet away from more persons lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

Other examples of communal and physical distancing that allow you to stop larger crowds or packed spaces are:

Working from home rather of at the office
Closing schools or switching to online classes
Visiting loved ones by electronic devices rather of inside person
Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings

Coronavirus: What do I do if I Feel Sick?

If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19, follow these steps to aid protect your state and the state of others.

What is self-quarantine?

People who have been exposed to the new coronavirus and who are at risk for coming down with COVID-19 might practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time intended them to know whether or not they will become ill and be contagious to more people.

You might be asked to practice self-quarantine if you have recently returned from traveling to a part of the country or the world where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, or if you have knowingly been exposed to an infected person.

Self-quarantine involves:

Using standard hygiene and washing hands frequently
Not sharing things like towels and utensils
Staying at home
Not having visitors
Staying at meanest 6 feet away from more persons inside your household

Once your quarantine period has ended, if you do not have symptoms, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to return to your normal routine.

What is isolation?

For persons who are long-established to have COVID-19, isolation is appropriate. Isolation is a state be concerned term that means keeping people who are infected with a contagious sickness away from those who are not infected. Isolation can take place at home or at a hospital or care facility. Special personal protective equipment will be used to be concerned for these patients inside state be concerned settings.

What is “flattening the curve?”

Flattening the turn refers to using protective practices to slow the rate of COVID-19 infection thus hospitals have room, supplies and doctors intended all of the patients who need care.

a graphics display cornoavirus disease progression

This thought was adapted from the CDC.

A large number of persons becoming very ill above the way of a few days could overwhelm a hospital or be concerned facility. Too many persons becoming severely sick with COVID-19 at roughly the same time could result inside a shortage of hospital beds, equipment or doctors.

On a graph, a sudden surge inside patients above a brief time could be represented as a tall, narrow curve.

On the more hand, if that same large number of patients arrived at the hospital at a slower rate, intended example, above the way of several weeks, the line of the graph would see like a longer, flatter curve.

In this situation, fewer patients would come at the hospital each day. There would be a better chance of the hospital being able to remain up with adequate supplies, beds and state be concerned providers to be concerned intended them.

Illustrated tablet with multiple choice answer selections

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-Checker

Check symptoms. Protect yourself. Get information.

Lessening Coronavirus Impact

It’s important to know what to do if you experience sick. The coronavirus pandemic is making everyone aware of handwashing and protecting others from coughs and sneezes. Along with those essential steps, practices such as communal and physical distancing, and self-quarantine and isolation when suitable can slow the pace of infection inside a city, town or community.

The pandemic can seem overwhelming, but inside truth, every person can help slow down the spread of COVID-19. By doing your part, you can make a big difference to your health, and that of others around you.