If you live in a large house and have COVID-19, you can isolate from your family by, say, moving into the basement.
But what about the rest of us? How can we protect our family in a small apartment if we are sick?
Here are some answers. 1/
But what about the rest of us? How can we protect our family in a small apartment if we are sick?
Here are some answers. 1/
First, why is this necessary?
* Hospitals need to focus on the extremely sick. Fortunately, most of those with mild/moderate covid will be able to heal by resting at home. But we need to take steps to protect those we live with. 2/
* Hospitals need to focus on the extremely sick. Fortunately, most of those with mild/moderate covid will be able to heal by resting at home. But we need to take steps to protect those we live with. 2/
Should I wear a mask while sick at home?
* Yes, it is extremely important that the sick individual wear a mask. (Remember a mask does more to protect others than it does to protect the person wearing it.). Secondarily, the rest of the household can wear a mask as well. 3/
* Yes, it is extremely important that the sick individual wear a mask. (Remember a mask does more to protect others than it does to protect the person wearing it.). Secondarily, the rest of the household can wear a mask as well. 3/
What if I don’t have a surgical or N95 mask?
* A scarf or bandana will give you significant protection against contaminating others. You can also make your own mask (many patterns available online) out of old t-shirts or sweatshirts, and they too are surprisingly effective. 4/
* A scarf or bandana will give you significant protection against contaminating others. You can also make your own mask (many patterns available online) out of old t-shirts or sweatshirts, and they too are surprisingly effective. 4/
How often do I need to wash a cloth mask?
* At least daily. Ideally use a washing machine with hot water, but if that’s not possible wash it in your sink. 5/
* At least daily. Ideally use a washing machine with hot water, but if that’s not possible wash it in your sink. 5/
Where should I be in the home?
* If at all possible, stay--day and night--alone in a separate room and do not share a bed. Even caregivers should limit how much they come into the room. 6/
* If at all possible, stay--day and night--alone in a separate room and do not share a bed. Even caregivers should limit how much they come into the room. 6/
What about my windows?
* Keep them open if you can. Ventilation will help dilute airborne virus particles. 7/
* Keep them open if you can. Ventilation will help dilute airborne virus particles. 7/
What about bathrooms?
* If you have the luxury of having more than one bathroom, you should reserve one for the sick person and one for everyone else. If you don’t have more than one bathroom, see the next question. 8/
* If you have the luxury of having more than one bathroom, you should reserve one for the sick person and one for everyone else. If you don’t have more than one bathroom, see the next question. 8/
What if we have to share a single bathroom?
* Be extra fastidious about wiping down all surfaces. Run the exhaust fan regularly if you have one. Wait 30 minutes after the sick person has used the bathroom before the next person enters. 9/
* Be extra fastidious about wiping down all surfaces. Run the exhaust fan regularly if you have one. Wait 30 minutes after the sick person has used the bathroom before the next person enters. 9/
What about air filters?
* According to scientist @j_g_allen: “Airborne viral particles can be captured by air filters. If you have a portable air purifier, run it in the room where the infected person is. If you have multiple air purifiers, run them in multiple rooms.” 10/
* According to scientist @j_g_allen: “Airborne viral particles can be captured by air filters. If you have a portable air purifier, run it in the room where the infected person is. If you have multiple air purifiers, run them in multiple rooms.” 10/
What about a humidifier?
* Also according to @j_g_allen: “Viruses survive for longer periods at low humidity. If you have a humidifier, start running it. Place the humidifier in the room where the isolated person is. The optimal relative humidity is between 40% and 60%.” 11/
* Also according to @j_g_allen: “Viruses survive for longer periods at low humidity. If you have a humidifier, start running it. Place the humidifier in the room where the isolated person is. The optimal relative humidity is between 40% and 60%.” 11/
How much do I need to clean?
* A lot. At least daily--and preferably more--you should clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, handles, light switches and doorknobs. Fortunately coronavirus is easy to kill with most household cleaning sprays. 12/
* A lot. At least daily--and preferably more--you should clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, handles, light switches and doorknobs. Fortunately coronavirus is easy to kill with most household cleaning sprays. 12/
What about doing laundry?
* You are going to have to do a lot of it. If you’re handling items touched by the sick person, wear disposable gloves if at all possible, and either way wash your hands immediately after. 13/
* You are going to have to do a lot of it. If you’re handling items touched by the sick person, wear disposable gloves if at all possible, and either way wash your hands immediately after. 13/
Can my pet pass contamination from one person to another?
* There are no reports that coronavirus can be spread from a pet’s fur. So you can keep hugging your dog or cat. 14/
* There are no reports that coronavirus can be spread from a pet’s fur. So you can keep hugging your dog or cat. 14/
When can you stop isolating from your family?
* You can consider yourself no longer contagious 7 days after the onset of your symptoms or 3 days after your last fever...whichever is later. 15/
* You can consider yourself no longer contagious 7 days after the onset of your symptoms or 3 days after your last fever...whichever is later. 15/
What about people in congregant settings?
* Those with coronavirus should not remain in places like homeless shelters or group homes. NYC has arranged for hotel rooms for such individuals. (But we need more.) 16/
* Those with coronavirus should not remain in places like homeless shelters or group homes. NYC has arranged for hotel rooms for such individuals. (But we need more.) 16/
What’s the long-term solution for the problem of sick people home with families?
* Once we are through the crisis stage of this pandemic, and medical resources are under less strain, NYC is exploring using hotel rooms for those who are mildly sick. But this is not imminent. 17/
* Once we are through the crisis stage of this pandemic, and medical resources are under less strain, NYC is exploring using hotel rooms for those who are mildly sick. But this is not imminent. 17/
To recap: The need for mildly sick people to remain at home is one of the toughest parts of this crisis--especially if you’re in a small apartment. But if you are careful and do the work, your odds of protecting your loved ones will improve dramatically. 18/18
