By American Heart Association News
Published: March 25, 2020
Across the nation, Americans find themselves
in varying degrees of social isolation as part of a coordinated effort to try
to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Some cities are in full lockdown.
Others are asking people to simply remain socially distant.
But navigating this new world of social
limitations can be confusing. What should – and shouldn't – people be doing?
That depends on your level of isolation, said
Arthur Caplan, director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York
University Grossman School of Medicine.
The most restrictive level, said Caplan, is
quarantine – when a person is ill or known to have been exposed to the virus
and must be completely separated from others with no social interactions
outside the home.
"If you have a partner or a child and
can't be completely separated in the home, at least you split the living space
and keep your distance," he said.
Being under quarantine is similar to being in
lockdown, a restriction some governments are using when localities experience
severely high levels of infection. In lockdown, or with a "shelter in
place" order, venturing out for other than government-allowed reasons
could carry a penalty such as a fine or arrest. The directives differ from
place to place, but generally allow residents to take care of essential health
and safety tasks, such as buying groceries, medicines, and even going for a run
or walking the dog.
Residents also may voluntarily shelter in
place, a type of self-isolation encouraged for those who are medically
vulnerable, such as people 65 and older and those with weak immune systems,
heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. As the numbers of people confirmed to
be infected increase, a growing number of states and localities are asking all
residents to self-isolate to slow contagion.
The new coronavirus causes COVID-19, a
respiratory illness with symptoms such as a cough, fever and, in more severe
cases, difficulty breathing. The American Heart Association recently released
a statement advising special caution for older
people with coronary heart disease or high blood pressure because they may be
more likely than others to be infected by the virus and have more severe
complications.
At a minimum, all Americans are being asked to
practice social distancing, which means remaining at least 6 feet apart from
others and limiting the number of direct interactions with other people.
"I think the guiding principle is that
we're trying to reduce the spread of the virus and one way to do that is to
isolate ourselves to reduce the chance of giving it to someone else," said
Wayne Rosamond, an epidemiology professor at the University of North Carolina
Gillings School of Public Health.
As a general rule, he said, that means
reducing contact with other people as well as reducing contact with anything
someone else may have touched.
But with the kids home from school and the
entire family cooped up together, questions arise over what people should and
shouldn't be doing with their time.
Don't visit older parents, friends or
neighbors, Caplan advises. "They are at high risk. Don't bring the kids
there to see them. You just don't know whether you're infected or not. Call
them up. FaceTime them. Use Skype. But do not visit."
If you are venturing out with the kids, be
careful about where you go and what they touch, Rosamond said. Ask yourself,
"What things in the environment could other people have touched or
possibly coughed on. Creating space between people is important but so is being
aware of the surroundings and what you and your kids are touching."
The National Institutes of Health warns the
virus can live on surfaces for up to several days. "Kids like to touch
things, they put everything in their mouths," said Caplan. "You have
to be very careful when you take them anywhere."
Neither should you let your kids invite
friends inside for a playdate, Caplan said. "They can see their friends
outside if you keep them apart. But you have to watch them. No wrestling. Don't
let them jump on top of each other."
The federal government also is asking that all
non-essential dental or medical appointments be postponed during this time. Not
only would such visits potentially expose people to the virus in medical
offices, waiting rooms or on public transportation, but "they could be
diverting resources that potentially would be needed to care for coronavirus
patients," Caplan said. Medical workers from a wide range of practices are
being asked to help care for the influx of patients.
So, what can you do?
It's important to check with local and state
authorities to find out what restrictions have been issued for your area.
In general, government health agencies suggest
taking a walk, going for a run or even doing yardwork if you want to get out of
the house. Just stay 6 feet away from anyone else.
Many gyms and yoga studios, which have been
closing down, are providing online video classes people can do at home.
"You have to get creative," said
Rosamond. "It is important to move and not to be sedentary. Get sleep, eat
right and get up and be active. Staying healthy mentally and physically during
this time is essential."
If you really need to get out, activities like
family camping trips are still OK, Caplan said, "as long as you go alone
or with members of your household. But don't go to a campsite with 300 people.
That's defeating the purpose."
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/03/25/the-dos-and-donts-of-social-interaction-during-a-pandemic
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