President Trump made the declaration that social distancing needs to continue on through April, and maybe until June. That means that all Americans should refrain from unnecessary traveling, avoid hanging out in groups larger than 10 and getting takeout from restaurants. So it’s safe to say that we are all going to be in quarantine together (in theory) for at least another month.
It is more important than ever to up our safety standards and get through this time as safely, sanely and quickly as possible. By doing our part in social distancing we should be able to flatten the curve and return to “normalcy” sooner rather than later.
So how do we safely survive quarantine?
Wash your hands, sanitize, repeat
If your hands haven’t started drying out because of how often you’re washing them, you’re either doing it wrong or really good about applying lotion. Even when in isolation, washing your hands is one of the best safety tips for quarantine. It is also good practice to continue to avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes to stop the spread of the virus.
It's especially important when you leave your house. Anytime you go to the grocery store, to pick up medicine or get takeout you should be washing your hands and sanitizing everything. Even things like your credit cards, the outsides of containers and bags should be taken into consideration in your sanitation process.
Stock up, but don’t hoard
There are a few items you will want to make sure that you stock up on. However, that does not mean that you need millions of one item. Just enough to make it through two weeks to a month should suffice in case you or someone in your household starts to develop symptoms. Not hoarding is one of the most important safety tips for quarantine so that other families can also prepare for the pandemic.
Some of the best things to stock up on are pantry items of course, but that doesn’t mean buying 10 boxes of pasta. According to nutritionists, you’re going to want to buy beans, shelf-stable milk, nut butters, whole grains and frozen meals. These are things that will last you a long time, are high in protein and will still provide your daily nutrients.
Besides just food, it's a good idea to stock up on things that you will need if you get sick too. Getting drinks with electrolytes, pain relievers and cold medicine won’t go bad if you don’t need them, but if you do you’ll be happy that you have them.
Mental Health check
Your mental health is just as important during this pandemic as your physical health. Social isolation can be hard on a lot of people, especially those who are quaranting without anyone else in their household. Everyone reacts to stress differently. It can help to follow some of the safety tips for quarantine that the CDC recommends for keeping your mental health in check.
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Take breaks from the news
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Try to build a balanced routine. Follow normal sleeping and eating patterns with a good mix of mental stimulation and relaxation.
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Do activities that you enjoy, or spend the time to find new activities that you like.
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Text, call, facetime and connect with the people you love. Talking to your friends and family does not have to only be in person!
We hope our safety tips for quarantine have been helpful and get you through these unprecedented times. Civil Dispatch makes safety our priority which is why we offer emergency communication services that will help you stay prepared no matter what life throws your way. Sign up today!