For the love of all that’s good, can we please heed the advice of every public health expert and respected doctor out there and stay the heck home? In many areas, self-isolation is mandatory, and it’s a strong recommendation everywhere else. COVID-19 is a serious matter. It’s not some drill or just the flu. We are in the midst of a global pandemic, and this is an unprecedented experience for most of us. Because we are facing something so foreign, we must adopt measures we’ve never even considered before. It may be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary, so let’s listen to the experts and remain indoors.
Unless you are an essential worker whose role is vital to keeping society functioning during this crisis, do not venture outside. When I say, “do not go out,” I mean exactly that. Stay at home. Your residence. Not at a friend’s house, not at your parents’ place, not even at a community gathering spot. If you’re choosing to ride out this pandemic at someone else’s home, fine. But that’s your home for now. Stay put.
You might think that with restaurants, theaters, and large events being canceled, it’s safe to go out. Right? If someone invites you for lunch, dinner, a party, or even a backyard BBQ, surely that’s okay? The answer is a resounding NO.
When it comes to COVID-19, the answer is NO. Always. Just say no. You are channeling your inner Meghan Trainor—your name is no, your sign is no, your number is no. Just no.
You may be pondering if there are exceptions to this rule. Can you go out? Well, yes, in emergencies, but otherwise, stay home. We can’t be fixing our broken bones with a YouTube tutorial. No need to panic, but we do need to be reasonable and stick to staying home for all non-essential matters.
If you’re able to work from home, do so. If not, go to work but maintain a safe distance from your coworkers, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your face. Do your best while at work, but once the day is done, GO HOME.
Also, remember that your family needs supplies. Hoarding is inconsiderate and deprives others of much-needed resources. Assign one adult to venture out for supplies weekly (or less often if you have enough). Don’t be that person who buys up all the eggs and toilet paper, seriously. Only get what you need.
Can you take your kids along for a change of scenery? Absolutely not. Everyone else should remain at home.
Can your child still have a birthday party? NO. It’s disappointing, but necessary. My daughter just celebrated her fourth birthday, and we kept it at home. It turned out to be lovely. Cancel the party plans. Purchase a boxed cake mix during your grocery run, bake it together, and stay indoors. Can’t find eggs due to hoarding? Look up substitutes. Problem solved. Stay at home.
With schools closed, surely your kids need playdates, right? NOPE. Cancel all playdates. Children can transmit the virus to each other and then to you. While young people, including kids, may generally fare well with COVID-19, we must be cautious and follow CDC guidelines to help slow the spread. It’s not just about your family; older adults and those with compromised immune systems are at far greater risk. The more people interact, the higher the chance of unwittingly spreading the virus to others. Tell your kids’ friends to stay home, and do the same with your children.
Can you attend worship services in person? NO. But can you still worship? Absolutely! Online services are a great alternative. The virus doesn’t pause for your faith gatherings. If your place of worship isn’t live-streaming, another might be. Log on and enjoy the service from the comfort of your home.
Thinking about going on vacation? The answer is still NO. I just told you to avoid unnecessary gatherings. Do you really think it’s appropriate to go on vacation now? Disney World is closed, and the mountains and beaches will be there after we flatten this curve. It’s time to convert that vacation into a staycation.
Are all your friends adhering to these guidelines and staying home? Even if every person you know is healthy, you still cannot gather for dinner parties or any other social events. The best practice is to remain at home with your family and endure some boredom for a while. The more we try to bend the rules, the longer we’ll need to practice social distancing. Consider setting up video calls, using apps like Marco Polo, or sending letters to stay in touch, but stay home.
In summary, if you can live without an outing, then you shouldn’t go out. Unless someone in your household invites you to stay at your own home, RSVP ‘no’ to all other invitations.
I understand this is tough. I’m naturally an introvert and homebody, yet even I’m feeling the strain. I miss my loved ones and want to visit my favorite stores. But we must do this because lives are at stake—it’s not just about the elderly. The World Health Organization emphasizes that young people are not immune.
For now, enjoy some fresh air on your porch, take a walk around your neighborhood while keeping a distance from others, reach out to family members, or engage in activities like yoga or baking at home. The goal is to stay home.
Self-isolation is our best defense. The more we venture out, the more we risk spreading illness and prolonging this situation. It’s selfish and dangerous to ignore the guidelines. Compliance now means we can return to a semblance of normalcy sooner.
For more insights, check out this post on home insemination and visit Healthline for pregnancy information. If you’re interested in deeper knowledge, Intracervical Insemination is an excellent resource on this topic.