17 March 2020 - How to look after yourself and others in self-isolation
'Pause, reflect and stay home': how to look after yourself and others in self-isolation
Zoe Williams (The Guardian, 17/03/2020)
If you are not already self-isolating, or considering it, there is a high chance you will be in the coming months. The government’s advice is that people who live alone and have a fever or a continuous cough should be completely isolated for seven days, while 14 days of “whole household isolation” is recommended where anyone has those symptoms. This means not even going out for a walk or opening the door to receive a delivery directly.
Home alone: how to cope with self-isolation
Shannon Mahanty (The Evening Standard, 16/03/2020)
With last week’s government announcement warning that those who are experiencing “even minor” symptoms of illness may have to stay at home, self-isolation could soon become a reality for many Londoners. For the young, healthy and contractually employed, that may not be such a bad thing. In contemplating quarantine with friends, I’ve heard all sorts of spirited ideas from pandemic-themed Netflix binges to ambitious cookery plans. One friend is apparently taking up book-binding.
Working at Home? Self-Isolation Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely
Olivia Judson (The New York Times, 16/03/2020)
As a self-employed writer, I often work at home, and have done so for years. This can be great — 10-second commute! writing in pajamas! — but comes with its own challenges. Some people get distracted and spend the day washing dishes, watering plants, organizing socks. Others suffer from having no one to report to. My personal demon is loneliness. After a day of struggling with a book chapter, a process that can feel like mud-wrestling a giant squid, the lack of company can leave me awfully bleak. That’s why I joined a virtual co-working group.
Coronavirus Q&A: When should I self-isolate? Your symptoms questions answered
Anne Gulland (The Telegraph, 16/03/2020)
The Health Secretary has said that people over the age of 70 will be asked to self-isolate for up to four months to help protect themselves from coronavirus. Those with a 'continuous' cough or fever are also being told to self-isolate for seven days.
But what other symptoms should you look out for? What exactly does self-isolation involve? And even if you don't have symptoms, should you be self-isolating?
Our Global Health Security Correspondent Anne Gulland was on hand to answer our readers' questions, a selection of which can be found below.