How To Get By During Self-isolation: Everyday Pieces Of Advice For The COVID-19 Pandemic

"COVID-19" went from novel and unknown term carefully coined by scientists to a word that dominates the news, our work life, our professional life, and our trips to the supermarket. As transmission rates have fluctuated, so have the precautionary measures governments have imposed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Some readers will still be living with government-ordered curfews or lockdowns of some sort, while others are living in regions where restrictions have been lifted or reduced. Either way, the end of the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic is not yet on the horizon, and responsible behavior on the part of every person can still help increase public safety — not to mention, perhapss save your own life. 

In what ways do curfews slow the spread of COVID-19?

Numerous governments worldwide have instituted various forms of curfews to minimize the risk of the person-to-person transmission of COVID-19, with most countries going so far as to close borders.

Some people experience these anti-COVID measures as oppressive, even calling them “a violation of basic human rights”. We must unfortunately understand that, despite the obvious risk, many people simply aren’t disciplined enough to follow the rules on their own. General panic and a multitude of conflicting information about the coronavirus only add to this problem.

For example, when a 14-hour curfew was instituted in Janata, India, false information spread the idea that the lifetime of coronavirus was only 12 hours, and that this would break the chain of transmission. Misinformation, no matter how benevolent, remains misinformation. It can jeopardize the entire population when people inadvertently put others in danger while thinking they are doing the right thing — because they were lied to.

Night-time curfews help slow the spread of COVID-19, and are also more practical, because most of the population is already home at night, and crowded nighttime events like clubbing or parties pose a huge infection risk. The daytime, beside working from home, can be used for outdoor activities and chores like grocery shopping and taking the garbage out.

However, the longer the curfew, the less time people have to organize their outdoor time, by which I primarily mean – grocery shopping or shopping for other essentials. Even if the store only accepts a limited number of people, with six feet in between them, don’t forget that many will be (impatiently) waiting to get in, which is a potential epidemiological bomb.

It is imperative to know that curfews exist because population movement control might be the best way to prevent the collapse of the health system. These days, people seem to forget that other diseases and patients still exist, with many of them needing urgent medical help, not to mention machines like ventilators.

By staying indoors, you don’t protect only yourself from COVID-19. You also protect the whole healthcare system and its already exhausted hospital staff. Imagine what we could achieve if everybody thought about the current situation like this!

How to handle groceries and what should you do when you get home?

When talking about food, the main question that comes into mind is — how can I know if this is safe to buy and consume? Fortunately, it is very unlikely (although still possible) that viral particles will be transferred through food, even if the person before you sneezed onto the exact item you purchased.

Carry sanitizers with you to wipe cart handles down before use, and if possible, bring contactless cards as a payment method.

When picking fruits and vegetables, you can grab them with a makeshift plastic bag “glove”. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, scrubbed, and rinsed with warm water, or may be cooked before consumption, if that will ease your mind. Either way, warm water and heat help break down virus particles. Avoid bleach, because it might cause different types of health problems.

As for packaged foods, you can simply use dish soap and warm water. This is a precautionary measure, especially if you don’t open it immediately, since studies suggest that the coronavirus is detectable for two to three days on steel and plastic. Speaking of which, it’s totally OK to set up a “food quarantine” area in your home, where you can put only things you just purchased and have them ride out their possible "contagious time" before you consume them.

You do not need to worry too much about shopping bags and any boxes your groceries may be packaged in, but if you are concerned anyway, wiping them with a detergent will suffice.

Nothing currently suggests that COVID-19 can be transmitted via food and/or its packaging. If you wish, you still may use a grocery delivery service, as long as you follow all of these recommendations. Don’t forget that it is of great importance to wash your hands or perform hand hygiene with hand sanitizer as soon as possible, and also after opening packages. Additionally, don’t touch your face at any time while outside your home.

What about clothes?

Nevertheless, feel free to wash your laundry the way you usually do, preferably with detergents that contain bleach, and on the warmest possible settings. Laundromats are also safe, but keep in mind that you ought to clean the surfaces you come in contact with, such as doors and buttons. Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards!

If you are dire need of some new outfits but are worried about shopping for clothes and COVID-19, you can read my colleague's guide about staying safe from contamination while picking new clothes.

COVID-19: What am I allowed to do when outside?

Unless your country’s guidelines say otherwise, you are allowed to get some fresh air, and stretch your legs for a while. If you go out for a walk, as long as you practice social distancing with others on the street, it doesn’t matter much whether you go out alone or with someone you share a home with, epidemiologically speaking.

The important thing here is to keep a safe distance from others when doing so, while also avoiding crowded places and, of course, team exercises. Other than keeping you fit, jogging and exercising outside should keep your mind straight, because it’s not easy spending day after day locked up in your home.

You are allowed to walk your dog, of course, while practicing social distancing. That, too, may count as exercise!

The situation with public transportation is a bit tricky. If you really must (and if it is still running in your locality!), use it, but keep in mind that social distancing will be rather hard to practice inside a bus, subway, or train. In a taxi, be sure to ride in the back, and if possible, keep the windows open. Be cautious, use tissues if coughing or sneezing, use gloves if you are worried, but don’t forget to wash your hands before and after spending time in any kind of public space, especially one with surfaces that numerous people are likely to have touched.

If you feel thirsty, buying bottled water in advance and carrying it from home is the preferable way to go (that way, you'll be sure nobody has recently touched it). Alternatively, if you must drink out of a fountain, be sure to let the water run for a few seconds, and drink it without touching the spout or tap.