How these practices help prevent the spread of COVID-19

This daily update is a public service from Kootenai Health, Panhandle Health District and The Press. It will provide new information, tips, and ways our health care professionals are working to keep the community safe.

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Most diseases have an Achilles’ heel, a weak point where, once identified, we as individuals can help lessen the effects it has on us and our community. For COVID-19 that seems to be through social distancing and self-isolation.

These terms have been used a lot by public health officials, but there has been little conversation about the difference between the two, and what they look like in actual practice.

Social Distancing

The CDC defines social distancing as remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible. In plain terms, avoid crowds and don’t go anywhere unless you need to.

This guideline is the reason for so many event, school, and other activity cancellations in the last week or so. While COVID-19 isn’t as contagious as say, the measles, it is slightly more contagious than the flu and can be spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. By avoiding, or distancing ourselves from others, we severely limit the virus’s ability to spread from person to person.

Social distancing is particularly important for those populations who are most at-risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19. This population includes older adults (over age 60) and those who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes.

Some things you can do to practice social distancing include:

• Avoid gatherings such as sporting events and practices, concerts, parties, church, or large meetings at work.

• Many organizations are working to provide online options for group activities. Reach out to see if that may be an option instead of attending in person.

• Work from home. If you work in an office full of people, it may be possible to work remotely. Many large corporations in our region are encouraging employees to work from home whenever possible. If all you need is a phone and internet connection, it would be worth looking into.

• Cancel or postpone large gatherings or celebrations.

• Sign up for food delivery services or avoid peak hours when running errands.

• Avoid travel.

Self-isolation

Self-isolation is taking social distancing to the next level for those exhibiting signs of illness. The CDC says self-isolation means the separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent spread of the communicable disease. Isolation for public health purposes may be voluntary or compelled by federal, state, or local public health order.

We should practice self-isolation when we believe ourselves to be sick — whether that be a severe cold, the flu, COVID-19, or other contagious illnesses. When we practice isolation, we are protecting our family members and others in our community from catching whatever it is we may have. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care if needed.

If you are sick and need to self-isolate, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Stay home unless you need to seek out medical care.

• Avoid going out in public.

• Avoid public transportation.

• Call your provider’s office for advice on when to seek out medical care.

While home, practice the following:

• Avoid sharing household objects.

• Clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces and hard objects daily.

• Try to keep a radius of at least 6 feet from others.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands frequently.

• Monitor your symptoms.

If you decide to seek out medical care, call ahead to give the staff a heads up about your symptoms so they can prepare and be ready with proper protective equipment.

The decision to discontinue self-isolation specifically for COVID-19 should be made with a health care professional.

If you have questions about self-isolation or social distancing practices, contact the Panhandle Health District’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225. You can learn more about CDC recommendations at cdc.gov/covid19.