We each treat our family as the safe zone.
This is the initial question to address to equip you handle this ordeal correctly.
Lets examine a step further: how about a family that has no obvious risk factors?
Lab technician tests samples for Covid-19Source: UGC
Once a member contracts the virus, can they just cocoon together and take the knock?
For morbidity statistics on a disease entity, 5% is high a risk we would never consider.
Members of the family who have been in contact with the positive patient should start social distancing.
There is no need to test anyone else yet.
In fact, tests before 7 days since the infected patient became symptomatic are likely to show false negatives.
Create a sick room in your home.
Whoever cleans the room must wear appropriate PPE during the cleaning.
Where possible, the Covid-19 positive patient in your home should have their own bathroom.
The bathroom must be cleaned down daily with disinfectant (containing bleach as above).
If you better share a bathroom, the surfaces need to be sterilised between each use.
The living room
Few homes have separate living rooms that can sustain pockets of isolation.
Furthermore, families find it emotionally straining, having NO contact with an affected family member over this time.
The WHO recommends shared living space at a distance.
Families who eat together get Covid-19 together.
Laundry
Laundry must be done separately with the person doing the laundry wearing appropriate PPE.
Hot water kills coronavirus off clothes, so clothes can be re-introduced into the family after washing.
Parenting
Young children may not be understanding of the rules of social distancing.
We are encouraged by the evidence, thus far, that children don’t spread coronavirus.
So now that I know how to remain negative, how do I keep my mind positive?
The patients responsibility is focus on resting and recovery.
This is your opportunity to dig deep into your resources of resilience and lead from the front.
However, cases are rapidly rising, and hiding away from Covid-19 is not sustainable.
The best approach it’s possible for you to take from the outset is to be open and honest.
It builds empathy in the community.
It prevents spread by making contacts aware of their possible retroactive risk and helps them to know to quarantine.
Most importantly here, it gives those who care for you the opportunity to offer you support.
take a stab at set limits on these.
You still have a parental role (and now largely alone).
You still may have a job, and you still need to exercise.
Dont allow the virus to cause more collateral damage by unbalancing your life further.
Human beings are resilient.
This time will pass and make you stronger.
Go forward and conquer it.
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Source: Briefly News
Samantha RiddleSamantha Riddle is a former Mainstream/ Current Affairs Manager.
She covered the breaking stories and SA news from 2018-2021.
Currently, shes working for The South African.
