How Karan-Tim Is Safer
In recent weeks, many of us have begun to explore collective quarantine work, where two isolated families join forces, whether for social purposes or to help meet specific needs. An adult returning to her elderly parents who find it difficult to cope alone, families who need to change childcare: this trend, also called the formation of a “quarantine bubble” or “quarantine capsule” , is touted as one of the ways to combat quarantine fatigue, and also a solution to some of the problems associated with long-term insulation.
But is it really safe to work with quaran-team? If two families or households are considering this, what factors do they need to weigh before making a decision? As with anything related to a pandemic, this is one of those situations in which the risks and benefits must be weighed very carefully, and all parties must agree to the same set of rules before they start to form a quaran-team.
“There are many levels of difficulty,” says S. Wesley Long , medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital. “It’s all about who contacts whom and what they do to reduce the risk.”
As with anything pandemic-related, there are many factors to consider. You may find that the safest option is not the one you originally expected.
Consider the risk profile of all participants
If any of the participants in the joint quarantine work is at high risk, this decision should be taken much more seriously.
“It partly comes down to assessing individual risks,” says Long. “Are you taking risks? Is there anyone in your household who is at high risk? This increases the risk. “
The risk profile also includes the potential exposure of all participants in the relationship. Two families with adults who work from home and are very careful to take all the necessary precautions will have very different risk profiles than two families in which adults work in jobs that require them to leave the house and interact with someone. many different people.
If some or all adults work in potentially at-risk jobs, then it “becomes an exponential calculation of risk,” Long says.
Communication is critical
Anyone who has ever lived with a roommate can attest that managing a permanent residence can be tricky. Whether it’s disagreements over shared food, acceptable noise levels, or who is responsible for washing the dirty dishes, two people can have very different ideas about what is or is not tactful behavior. The same is true for two families who, while not planning to live together, may be thinking about quarantine work together and will spend a lot of time in each other’s homes.
“Does everyone agree on social distancing and what is possible and what is not?” Long says.
Rather than disagreement over whether a roommate’s leftovers can be eaten or who is responsible for the dirty dishes, this can include disagreement over what actions and behaviors represent an acceptable level of risk. If everything is not on the same page, the situation can quickly spiral out of control, and each person will be exposed to the same risks as the weakest member of the group.
Weigh the alternatives
There is a wide range of risk, which means that it is important to think about what the relative risks of the alternatives will be. If the choice is between sending your child to kindergarten, which has strict procedures, or transferring child care to a family with parents who work in a high-risk environment, choosing the safer option may be more difficult than you expect. The same can be said for older parents moving in with older children: what if the choice is between hiring a homecare assistant who only works in one home, or moving with older children whose workplace puts them at a higher risk of infection? ?
Before making any plans for a quarantine team, it is important to think about possible alternatives and assess the relative risks of all possibilities.
Make a plan in case someone gets sick
Before making any decisions about working together on quarantine, it is important to formulate a plan of action in case someone gets sick. While this opportunity is frustrating, it is absolutely necessary – one sick family member puts everyone else at risk.
If a member of the quaran team develops symptoms, will they suggest taking a test or will they not consider it an allergy or a cold?
“People need to be honest about testing,” says Long.
If someone develops symptoms, what steps will they take to avoid making others sick? Are they isolated from the rest of the family – and if so, how? Depending on the size and layout of your home, isolating one member can be challenging.
Quaran-teaming can help meet long-term needs in a safer way than alternatives, but like everything else, this is an option that needs to be weighed carefully. So talk it over, consider your options, and make an informed decision about whether to continue or not.