How to self isolate with family

[Kerching25]

Is it possible to self isolate to avoid coronavirus if your living with your family.. I'm 54 with heart failure, my wife works at the local school which hasn't closed and I have 3 grow up children living at home who I can't make to stay in for 3 months. We share all the facilities at home and no spare room... any ideas

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I think the answer to that is that it is virtually impossible. You'd need to have totally separate sleeping, living, bathroom and food preparation areas, and even then that may not be enough if someone else in the house gets the virus - initial suggestions are that while the virus can't live in the air for long, when other viruses were looked at- they could survive for up to 9 days on metal, glass and plastic.

[ahk59]

This is what I was wondering,My Husband works all over the place and if im self isolating whats the point if he brings the virus in.I know thousands will be in same boat

Thinking of my Husband moving in with my Daughter at weekend

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

It is a challenge.

I have 3 grown up children too.

A couple of suggestions. Make sure everyone washes their hands on return to your house, shower, wash their hair, and put on newly washed clothes on each time they return from work or travelling on public transport.

Wipe down surfaces including door handles several times a day with disinfectant.

Clean your hand washing sinks daily and change your hand towels daily. Wash clothes worn outside and hand towels on a hot wash in the washing machine.

Stay safe and well

[Prada47]

Hi See your dilemma

Just have to insist that they carry out the Hand Cleaning Routine to protect You. Don't know what else you can do !!

[Sunnie2day]

The only things I'd add to Milkfairy's excellent suggestions are:

Disinfect everything before you touch - door handles, landline telephones, keyboards, remote controls, toilet seats and lids, tap handles, and any other item people in the house routinely touch. Disinfect after use (I use a spray bottle filled with 70% isopropyl alcohol but a weakish solution of bleach and water works as well. It's quick and easy - you spray, use the item, spray again after use then don't touch until next need to use when you spray, use, spray...)

Have a separate laundry basket for your towels and flannels (use only once!) and clothing. All your laundry should be washed on the hottest wash and you should also use a laundry disinfectant instead of softener for your laundry. I use Dettol but there are other laundry disinfectants, and in a pinch white distilled vinegar can also help (but isn't perfect) to disinfect laundry.

Keep your grooming supplies (toothbrush, etc) in a wash bag you disinfect before you go to the bath or shower room. Disinfect the basin stand and taps, do your daily including a shower or bath, and then disinfect everything again just before you leave the room including your wash bag.

My screen name here is Sunnie2Day - but...I should probably change it to 'Yes I'm a germaphobe', lol!

[Hidden]

You will know by now - all schools must close from Friday. If your wife keeps away from you for a week or two (as best as possible) - she should be Covid free.