By Amanda Waddell, American Red Cross Volunteer
Choosing to use certain words and phrasing can make all the difference in our society and our state of mind. And when a new global incident begins to arise, new terminology arises along with it.
Already within this novel virus, COVID-19, phrases and wording that most of us are not accustomed to have become a part of our everyday life. We are all new to this, so we easily adopt terms like “isolation” and “quarantine” because that’s what we hear, and that’s what makes sense. This pandemic has made us feel isolated and quarantined, no matter what our current situation may be. But what do all of these socially accepted terms really mean? And what can we do to use the right language at the right time?
Yes, the term can seem big. But so is the world. And that’s why COVID-19 is technically a pandemic – because it refers to a far-reaching experience. It is defined as a disease that is prevalent throughout the world.
In the U.S. and around the world, many governmental mandates have been issued to help encourage social-distancing. Closures of schools, restaurants, bars, theatres, etc., set the example. Adhering to the following guidelines are acts of social-distancing, and will absolutely help slow the spread of the virus:
- Work from home whenever possible
- Avoid all unnecessary travel
- Stay away from crowded places
- Avoid gatherings with friends and family
- Stay at least 6 feet away from other people
Simply put, self-isolation is taking the responsibility of your health and your community’s health seriously. It means staying at home and not leaving. Not for work or any other public outings. Anyone who has shown any symptom of the coronavirus should practice self-isolation, along with anyone in that person’s entire household. A 14 day isolation period is currently recommended.
These terms have virtually the same meaning – an authoritative order to restrict the movements of a population as a quarantine strategy to suppress an epidemic or pandemic. When a governmental mandate orders a shelter-in-place, nonessential movements and businesses are strictly forbidden. Outdoor activities, such as walking or hiking, are still allowed, as long as not in groups.
Clearing the confusion surrounding the abundance of new terminology and new, constantly changing circumstances, can help to mitigate the fear that we may be experiencing. Through the constant barrage of news and social media, if we know what we’re truly seeing and reading, we will better understand the importance of our actions and our language. Ask questions. Be informed of your local mandates. Do your research. And stay safe.