Most of the information below is from Johns Hopkins Medicine:

Isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.  Isolation can happen at home or in the hospital.   That is what we do in the hospital with people who are “contagious.”  Someone who is admitted with Covid-19 would be kept in isolation, and no one could go into the room without appropriate cover including cap, gown and N-95mask.  Some would wear a face shield.

Self-quarantine is defined by Johns Hopkins as:  ” People who have been exposed to the new coronavirus and who are at risk for coming down with COVID-19 might practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time for them to know whether or not they will become ill and be contagious to other people.

Such people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms. These people will have to stay home except for trips to doctor. For example, if one just came off a cruise ship where there were viral patients.

Self-quarantine involves:

• Using standard hygiene and washing hands frequently
• Not sharing things like towels and utensils
• Staying at home
• Not having visitors
• Staying at least 6 feet away from other people in your household

Social distancing is what most of us are doing.  It involves what we do as individuals but also public policies that keep us apart such as cancelling athletics and crowded events. Don’t forget the 6 foot rule when away from the house. You can go outdoors.

Other examples of social distancing that allow you to avoid larger crowds or crowded spaces are:

• Working from home instead of at the office
• Closing schools or switching to online classes
• Visiting loved ones by electronic devices instead of in person
• Cancelling or postponing conferences and large meetings

Flattening the curve refers to using protective practices to slow the rate of COVID-19 infection so hospitals have room, supplies and doctors for all of the patients who need care. This graphic is adapted from the CDC by Johns Hopkins.

“A large number of people becoming very sick over the course of a few days could overwhelm a hospital or care facility. Too many people becoming severely ill with COVID-19 at roughly the same time could result in a shortage of hospital beds, equipment or doctors.

“On a graph, a sudden surge in patients over a short time could be represented as a tall, narrow curve.

“On the other hand, if that same large number of patients arrived at the hospital at a slower rate, for example, over the course of several weeks, the line of the graph would look like a longer, flatter curve.

“In this situation, fewer patients would arrive at the hospital each day. There would be a better chance of the hospital being able to keep up with adequate supplies, beds and health care providers to care for them.”