This Is Why I Plan to Self-Quarantine Even If No One Else Does

Our community has not yet felt the palpable panic of COVID-19. Our school is planning and organizing and I have complete confidence that they are closely monitoring what unfolds. There is raising concern but there haven’t been many reported cases in Mexico and none so far that have been announced in our specific state of Jalisco so for now we’re in wait mode. But for me, I don’t need to watch the tornado head in my direction to know it’s coming. It seems inevitable and, in my opinion, it’s best to get out of its way before it strikes. It’s why I plan to self-quarantine now even if no one else does. So bring on the Clorox Wipes and the homeschooling.

Let me start here for those of you that might share the alarmist DNA with me. While I will openly admit that I am the alarmist in this family (where Husband sees a normal fever, I silently fear the Bubonic Plague), I can assure you that I’m not making this decision from my alarmist mentality. While I’m fearful of coronavirus, I’m not acting from a place of fear. My choice is preemptive and based on our Son-Child who has allergy-induced asthma. Because this pandemic affects lungs and the respiratory system; because the world still doesn’t have a firm grip on this thing; because it spreads at a disturbingly swift speed and seems unavoidable, it just isn’t something I’m willing to wait on.

“While I’m fearful of coronavirus, I’m not acting from a place of fear.”

Yes. I’ve heard it mostly affects older folks and people with a compromised immune system but unless someone can guarantee me that it won’t cause complications to someone with asthma—young or old—there’s nothing to discuss. I’m pulling them. I’d rather be an alarmist and wrong than do nothing and be right.

“I’d rather be an alarmist and wrong than do nothing and be right.”

And I don’t care how extremist that sounds. I make no apology for it. You know why? Because I did that once. Once upon a time as a new mom, I let other people’s opinions of breastfeeding bury my instincts. All the professionals and well-meaning friends and Leche League advocates told me to trust their experience and expertise, and it turned out that what I secretly harbored in my heart was absolutely correct. My daughter wasn’t getting enough to eat and after the first month was thinner than her original birth weight. I failed her. And I vowed that day that I’d never let someone else’s opinion mom my kids. I am the expert on them.

To be clear, I don’t say this to cause panic. Panic is not helpful; it is not useful. But I also think it’s important to share my story and loosely give permission to those who, in their heart, know what they want to do but aren’t sure they should or are waiting for the go-ahead from a more “trusted” source. You are a trusted source.

Trust your instincts

For me, that means trusting I’m making the best choice for my kids and after reading a lot of well-sourced information, what rings with shocking and repetitive clarity is that the best way to limit and slow down the spread of COVID-19 is to social distance. Stay home. Cancel dates. Skip the gym. NBA, Disney World, and Broadway… need I say more??

According to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, “Measures can be scaled up or down depending on the evolving local situation” but the facts seem clear: If you self-quarantine (or self-isolate), you aren’t around to spread it. And it would stand to reason in reverse too that if you aren’t around to get it, you probably won’t.

If you are in that position—if you have the means, work from home, have a remote job, have your own business, can take your business online, or are fortuitous enough to be able to consider self-quarantine—consider if it’s right for you.

I am in a position and it’s why my kids aren’t at school today. So if you need me, I’ll be here with my Clorox Wipes and homeschool plans, running on thin patience and lots of coffee but trusting that I’ve made the right choice for us.

“but will it be worth it? Yes.”

Will it be easy? Oh hell nooooo.God Bless you if you are that mom that will do this and not break a sweat. I am not that mom. I’m used to working from home—alone—and will need to adjust to sharing my “office” and rearranging my life and work schedule as I know it. The kids will think it’s great for the first few days until they realize the gravity of what this really means—no birthday parties, limits on leaving the house, and canceling a lot of fun. But will it be worth it? Will doing my part to stop the exponential growth of this virus help to “flatten the curve”? Yes. I fully believe it will. And that’s all I need to know.

Stay healthy, friends.

P.S. Here’s a read for when you’re a week and a half into your self-quarantine and need a reminder to cut yourself a break.