Should I self quarantine?: My school closed... - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,366 members38,469 posts

Should I self quarantine?

peggyp14 profile image
46 Replies

My school closed yesterday. I thought since I work in a high school of over 1,000 students, I couldn't hurt myself any worse if I also went on a few errands.

Now that I don't have to go to work, should I self quarantine in my apartment and not go out at all?

Also I live half a block from a boardwalk on the Atlantic Ocean, and I'd still like to go out once a day to continue my daily 2 mile walk routine.

I don't want to call my doctor's office because I know they're flooded with people calling with questions or asking to be tested.

SO I'll rely on your opinions. Thank you.

Peggy

Written by
peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
46 Replies
HopeME profile image
HopeME

Peggy: exercise is an important ingredient to keeping your body well. Please do continue. It also helps one’s mental health. I’d also keep my distance from others not so much because you work in a school but because it seems like the practical thing to do based upon advice from the medical professionals.

Best

Mark

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to HopeME

Yes, thanks Mark I definitely don't want to stop walking. Thanks for reminding me not to go at a time when there will be a lot of people out walking.

Lynnibeth profile image
Lynnibeth

I’d keep walking but when fewer people are around. The schools I work at have not closed and I am having major anxiety, I have to be very close to my students and parents send then sick all the time!

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to Lynnibeth

We had a decrease in attendance on Thursday and more kids stayed home on Friday. Families have begun to keep their children home.

I didn't think about self quarantine before school closed since the town I live in has not had any cases of the virus. I hope you live in a place like I live.

Thank you for responding. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

I think you can go out to exercise but beware of getting closer than 6 ft from people. It is not easy, people are used to crowding together. Don't go in any stores without gloves, then wash your hands really good or use hand sanitizer when you leave.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

Thank you.

DRM18 profile image
DRM18

I'd love to have a two-mile boardwalk on the Atlantic to walk every day! As others have said already, definitely don't give that up: fresh air / outdoor exercise is just about the best thing for a person right now, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I've upped my outdoor exercise these last few days, & I plan to keep it that way.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to DRM18

Thank you!

PH600 profile image
PH600

We live on the south ccoast of England and we too are continuing to go for walks as we are so lucky to have such a lot of open space/beach to take advantage of. We're seriously reducing our contact elsewhere and definitley not going into nearby Brighton which is so crowded and full of young people who are not at high risk.

We live in a very densely populated area and we're assessing our options and risk all the time... difficult not to go out at all but may end up being the right decision for us.

Good luck and good health to all.

Best wishes

Paul

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to PH600

That soun d's like very good advice thanks.

kitchengardener2 profile image
kitchengardener2 in reply to PH600

We too are lucky to live on the coast and will continue our beach walks. Keep in touch with friends and neighbours by telephone or email and shop those more vulnerable, leave shopping on doorsteps. Stay safe everyone.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to kitchengardener2

What a great reply! Thank you so much. Staying at home for at least 9 days is not going to be easy, but you're right.....it's a perfect times to keep in touch with people I care about!

GMa27 profile image
GMa27

Definitely get out and about.

Unless you feel ill, you should get out.

💕

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to GMa27

Thank you. Walking is very good for my peace of mind. I feel great when I walk. I won't give that up.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to peggyp14

I have decided not to go out to do anything OTHER than go for a walk.

It's not fair to others if we go out, get infected with the coronavirus, Yet remain symptom free for days. During that time we could be exposing other people to the virus.

I think this is one time where "you have to do what's bet for you" isn't the right call.

zaax profile image
zaax in reply to peggyp14

Cycle people don't have the chance to stop you

PalmettoMiami profile image
PalmettoMiami

My husband is scheduled for blood work port flush on April 3rd. Have been isolating, then will have to go to get these tests. I already asked if we could move appointment sooner but told no. I am afraid by then it will be too late with too many infected. He is not under treatment of any kind now although has had it in past and is being monitored. What is best approach? Keep isolating or venture out where there will be lots of sick immunosuppressed people? I will also be exposed. What would you do?

DMary profile image
DMary in reply to PalmettoMiami

I'm also self quarantined. I'm trusting my cancer team for advice. A few days before the appt you could call and ask about the situation. They may even postpone nonemergency visits before then.

I also have a port and I've been told I few weeks wiggle room for flushes if it needs to be delayed, but that's blood work so your case might be different. Best wishes.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

I wanted to know people's advice, to I asked everyone their opinion. Everyone gave me the answer I really knew was the right one. Stay at home. Do not put yourself near a lot of people.

I'm not a person who worries about my CLL at all. I try to keep my life as normal as possible. As long as I can continue to work part time, and go for walks on the beach, These things stop me from thinking about my CLL non-stop.

I have received 6 phone calls from friends and family in the last 2 days checking up on me. I surprised them all since I have decided to self quarantine.......they thought I was going to argue about self isolating myself......but I didn't.

Please remember that you can get infected with the coronavirus and not come down with symptoms for days. If you go out, then you risk the health of other people who might get exposed to the virus just from coming in contact with you.

It's easy to say "I don't care if I catch it or not, I'm still going to go anywhere I want to go, I'm not going to let this virus stop me from leading my normal life." HOWEVER, I believe we also have an obligation to others.

I've had to remind myself that my actions do effect others as well. So I'm going to stay home.

Sojomama13 profile image
Sojomama13

Hi Peggy,

My Children’s school has shut down for the next two weeks, we are self quarantining for the entire time. We are stocked with food, medication and board games. Staying physically active by walking, practicing their baseball and softball drills and playing tennis or shooting basketball.

My husband is working from home indefinitely. Most grocery stores do not have much on the shelves, not lots of reasons to venture out. This was a difficult decision to make. Our thought process was that by doing this for two weeks, we can see how quickly the disease is spreading and keep our family and people in our community safe.

It is not lost on me that many people do not have this opportunity. We have a number of cases in our state and our Governor and my Husband’s company responded accordingly. Frankly, I feel very fortunate that I am able to self quarantine at this time.

Best,

Sandy

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to Sojomama13

Both of us are very lucky. Since I am a teacher I am comforted to know that I will be paid even when school is closed.

I pray for all the unfortunate people who will not get paid during closures. What a horrible thing this is. I can't even imagine what things will be like for them.

Mik_ profile image
Mik_

You are at higher risk compared to many people around you because usually lymph is associated with compromised immune system. From Milan guidance for healthy people is better to keep distance of 2 meter ~ 6 feet. We have in our area over 80 cases. It is doubled compared to week ego. I guess it is a top of the iceberg. The only people who are in hospitals have been tested. There is lack of a test kits. I tried to avoid shopping. However, nothing better than go along the ocean beach! Be well,

Mike

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to Mik_

Thank you. I am so grateful!

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to Mik_

Thank you Mike. I hope you remain healthy.

Root65 profile image
Root65

My family is self isolating for protection, but we still go out to walk with our dog every day. Just keep big distances from others. Sounds like you have a lovely place walk, enjoy it 🙂

Stelladoro profile image
Stelladoro

Dear peggy i think the best thing you could do is walk along the ocean....wish we all could do that......just stay away from people!! God bless

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

Thank you. I will!

Horatio2 profile image
Horatio2

Hi Peggy! I have been wondering what to do with myself as well. Just like you, I work in a high school of almost 1,000 students, but we have not closed. I have been going to work every day. As a teacher, it is so difficult to be out. We do not have any cases in our small town as of yet, but I am sure it will happen soon. I am washing my hands like crazy and staying as far away from students and co-workers as possible.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to Horatio2

I understand completely Horatio. I too was conflicted about what I should do. I'm very lucky that our district made the decision for me.

Our attendance started to drop on Thursday and more absences on Friday....so the parents were in a way telling us what they wanted us to do.

We had no idea what the district was going to do, and the uncertainness of whether we would close or not was making my High School students go nuts!

You are right. It is so difficult to be out when you're a teacher, but if attendance starts dropping like it did in my school and your students are getting too hyper and obsessed about closing, they won't pay attention....… you're not likely to really cover too much new information in your classes if you remain open anyway.

It turns out that our district did make the correct call to close as of Friday. Our City Manager sent out a call to all residents of Long Beach on Saturday to let us we had our first confirmed case here.

I think you should follow your own instincts. There are truly no right or wrong opinions. You'll probably get a lot of opinions from people about what you should or should or not do.

Whatever decision you make is the right one.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to peggyp14

Ps: Thank you to everyone on this forum who expressed your opinions to me.

chief1fan profile image
chief1fan in reply to peggyp14

Very helpful to read these. I am a middle school teacher in a school of only about 300, with no confirmed cases in our small town in Kansas. We will start up school after spring break on Monday. Of course parents have been asked if their students have left the state to places known to have a high corona rate over spring break to keep their students home for a while, but we all know that doesn't always happen. Really tough to decide. If we do stay home, when do we go back? God has blessed me in many ways and I believe my faith, along with reason will get me through this. Praying that others attacking the enemy the same way. God Bless.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to chief1fan

A perfect approach to this unknown time in our lives!

Big_Dee profile image
Big_Dee

Hello peggyp14

I live about one mile from park where I walk. I still go there to walk as I don't meet a lot of walkers and even when I do, plenty of distance. I could walk on my treadmill, but prefer the open air. Blessings.

livinglifewell profile image
livinglifewell

We live a couple miles inland from the ocean and continue our daily walks on the beach or marsh and in the woods. For my husband and I it feeds our spirit and keeps us physically fit. We live in a resort community and this time of the year it is pretty quiet and safe from crowds. However, I am hyper-social and all my social gathering is in limbo: book, writing, and support groups, local theater, and crew training has been put into limbo. This is not going to be easy. I've got a big stack of books and a deck of cards to entertain me and the larder is full. I hope we all stay well and I will be at home protecting my ground-glass opacity lungs.

StayingUpbeat profile image
StayingUpbeat

Great question and I've enjoyed reading all the responses. I, too am a teacher in California. Our schools have just shut down for the next 3 weeks plus spring break. I'm also still going to go for walks but will self-quarantine at home. I have found Yoga with Adriene--free on Youtube (also as a subscription) is a great way to ground myself as well and build up strength. I will be teaching my classes on-line. I'm anticipating extra time--so "the big closet" will FINALLY get cleaned in these next 4 weeks. Unless I get distracted by jigsaw puzzles... Be well everyone :)

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14 in reply to StayingUpbeat

Great outlook!

Die-Hard profile image
Die-Hard

Got to live your life, walk the beach, kept distance from others if possible, don't stay coop up in your apartment.

Beattiem-UK profile image
Beattiem-UK

I've decided to go down the route of social distancing. I've cancelled my volunteer work and won't take up social invitations unless it's for a walk to the beach where we can maintain a distance. I felt terrible about letting my community commitments go but now I'm looking forward to doing all the things I've needed to do at home for a while. It will be OK.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

...and you will feel so proud of the sacrifice you're making. This will pass, and you'll know that you made the right choice during this unbelievable ordeal.

When things get back to normal you'll look back and know that giving up on your commitments was the correct decision.

By taking care of yourself you are taking care of others also. You are keeping them safe by not taking a chance of passing the virus to others.

antonb profile image
antonb

nice question... our president in Argentina has closed schools and all people more than 65 should stay home...... I am 62 , work in a Pharmacy ,have done a normal life since diagnosed , 19 months on Ibrutinib doing fine ....so i will have to talk tomorrow with the Manager .................. talked to My Dr ttwo weeks ago but things change so fast ......any thoughts

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

You're so right, things do change fast.

On Friday my school sent us a message saying we were going to close for a week and a decision about further closings would come in a week. Yesterday the County Executive of Nassau County announced that all schools will be closed for at least 2 weeks!

I think everyone living in a county that has cases of coronavirus is experiencing the same thing. Our normal changes from minute to minute.

Please remember that there are no right or wrong choices regarding what's happening.

But I will share my opinion:

Since you're under 65, and have been doing well, I would still continue my normal routine as long as that's what your doctor told you, even if it was 2 weeks ago. Just keep listening to the news and if the guidelines change you will know.

jijic profile image
jijic in reply to peggyp14

Anyone with a B-cell deficiency is very high risk regardless of age. That's really bad advice you're giving here. We CLLers should not be going about our lives as normal, at all.

jijic profile image
jijic

Every single person you encounter is another potential vector for catching COVID. So your best bet is to avoid people you don't live with at all costs. My specialist has told me to stay home, but said that walks/bike rides are fine if I can do it while maintaining 6 feet/2 meter distance from other people.

Since you've been working in a school, you're also a potential disease vector for awhile, so quarantining isn't just for you, but also for other people.

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsPassed Volunteer

I’ve gotten good at making lists by type of necessity - food, pet supplies, pharmacy - so that when I need to do any shopping it’s a quick in and out. No more roaming through stores for a while. Other than necessities I’m self isolating for myself and others.

LovecuresCLL profile image
LovecuresCLL

I would lay low especially the next two weeks. There are cases in New Jersey. Just two weeks and then test the waters. Just exercising in your apartment. Doing yoga or exercises with the TV. Lets just see how bad it gets there first. Can you walk around and stay 6 feet away? And what if somebody walks by and sneezes. I am glad you are home from school.

Stay safe.

peggyp14 profile image
peggyp14

Thank you. Amazon is really in love with me since I'm not going into any stores!

You may also like...

should I take Paxlovid?

Being quarantined

see people on my deck 8 feet apart with a mask. I have been in quarantine since the Pandemic...

Should I have a blood test

to have this but my husband is adamant I don’t go out of isolation to visit the hospital as I am...

Should I See A Top Specialist

lately I've been wondering about something I'd like opinions on. I know there are doctors who see...

Should I go to a CLL specialist?

about my family history with CLL but I have found out since then that it is more extensive than I...