A lot of people are being home quarantined nowadays. If your government did not say to stay at home, it would be wise to self-quarantine yourself. Ok now comes the challenging part, there is a big movement going around the world: Home quarantine is not easy. People have to go out, we are a socializing creature by nature. Most need to belong together and must do things to avoid boredom! This is about how to overcome your boredom, and still stay at home.
Now there are some countries sanctioning going out to prevent a bigger spread of the novel coronavirus COVID19. So it’s best to stay at home. Some can’t stay at home because they have an essential job to fulfill (thank you for your contribution)
The meaning of Isolation and Quarantine according to the CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention):
Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
source: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantineisolation.html
Staying away from others helps slow down the rate the virus spread. The nature of the virus is that it spreads fast! We need to help our neighbors, loved ones and especially all those in essential jobs now by social distancing ourselves.
By social distancing, we can also help health care because currently all over the world they are overloaded! Doctors and nurses are working day and night fighting to save patients. Other patients with the need for medical healthcare are now having problems getting into a hospital.
By social distancing we can lower the curve! which eventually saves more lives. Be responsible and save each other by participating in the home quarantine. There are other ways to communicate and/or spend time.
Preparation for home quarantine
Maybe you are already prepared, perhaps you are not. Either case let’s review the situation and needs to get you through this way of isolation. If you are allowed to groceries that is fine. If you can’t go out for whatever reason, try to contact someone who can for you. Just keep practicing social distancing (no physical contact).
Improving hygiene
Have soap to clean your hands, body and improve hygiene. If you also can get your hand on hand sanitizer or alcohol above 70% that would be fine. I have a post how to make hand sanitizer. This will come in handy!
I also got some bleach for cleaning purposes. When I come from outside for whatever reason, clean the door handles and everything that is a normal thing to touch. Do not forget to wash your hands.
If you can, during the soaping process, you can turn off the water. It is not done in the video that describes how to wash your hands.
Detergent to wash clothes, don’t forget this! After coming from outside it’s one thing I do after washing hands and cleaning the door handles. I put my clothes I have been wearing in the laundry and when it’s full enough I will start it.
Food stock for home quarantine
Be sure to have enough food at home. Avoid perishables for and prepare for a few weeks worth. Do not hoard! There is no need to hoard milk for 1 year or toilet paper for that matter. I do not understand the people doing this. Things that last a while:
- Rice (dried corn)
- Beans
- dehydrated food
- powdered milk
- sugar
- noodles
- spaghetti and such
Ok I am going to emphasize it again: DO NOT HOARD FOR 1 YEAR! Don’t be excessive, you are not alone in this situation and other people also need things!
How to spend your time
If you are reading this you have the internet. Good, the world is still at your fingertips! There are a lot of things to do to pass the time. You can spend time gaming, blogging, working on that project you always wanted to. Even cleaning now can be a good thing. Streaming has been a widely popular choice, making those working for the Internet Service Provider also an essential job (it keeps people home).
You can also do non-internet related stuff, like read a book, gardening, meditate, yoga, home fitness or whatever keeps you home. Just keep yourself busy. Use Duolingo and learn a new language for that matter! I will try as well.
I myself keep blogging and started a YouTube Channel and keep looking for things to do to keep myself busy.
Preparations for going out
There are times when you have to go out of the house for walking the dog, doing groceries. Meeting up with friends should not be an idea that pop-ups in your mind now.
Before going out wear some protection for yourself. A mask is only handy if you can NOT touch it while wearing it. You touch it, it becomes useless. Hand Sanitizer, you are bound to touch something, bring hand sanitizer with you. Do bring your phone with you in case you need to call someone.
Things to avoid during the quarantine
Meeting up with friends, starting a discussion with trolls online and procrastinating by only gaming. The last part is easy, do nothing just gaming and sleeping isn’t too good for you either.
Help! No more money and food
You are in dire need of help! Governments are not prepared for this scale of a pandemic. It was only in the movies. Now it’s reality and some people are stuck at home without money and food.
This is not the time to have pride. Ask for help! Ask your neighbors, your community for help. Ask your friend. It is difficult to ask for help but if you are going to ask, a good chance you will receive help. If you have plenty, help those in need. Don’t forget to ask people how they are. Check regularly with people via the phone how they are doing.
Home quarantine is not easy but we can do it!
Do you feel like having a drink with some friends? You can use Google Hangouts, Skype, zoom for an e-meeting. Do you feel bored? There are a lot of things to learn and do! Do you practice better hygiene? I hope so! Do you need help? ask!
Social distancing and home quarantine saves the lives of those really in need and puts less strain on our medical care. Stay at home, please.
Hi I am Dwi. I am a blogger, travel agent and a mom of a lovely daughter and wife to a supportive husband. I customize and plan tours in Bali and islands nearby for a living and have been doing this for more than 14 years. Get in touch via contact [at] taletravels.com
It’s so important! Thanks for all the work you’re putting in!
Stay safe, thank you for your comment