Long Island mom’s isolation is over

Diana Bellent (45 years old) of Long Island Mama Write for post About her ordeal after testing for coronavirus positive last week. Today, as she recovers, she considers the changes in life after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sunday is my last day of isolation. I was advised by the Nassau County Health Board to quarantine for 14 days from the date of the exam. This is the most conservative advice I have seen. That’s the advice I’m giving … that doesn’t mean that most of us haven’t been there recently! That said, there is no consistent advice given to people like me. He did not know when he asked the doctor if the test date was Day 0 or Day 1. I will go with zero to be on the safest side possible.

The CDC first advised that people diagnosed as positive need to be isolated until they receive two negative tests 24 hours apart. Well, that’s great in theory. But we live in a reality where proper testing is taking place Hardly available to healthcare heroes At the forefront, not to mention two tests for people who are infected with the virus and are now healthy. When referring to CDC guidelines, the Health Commission physician who called me with isolation instructions laughed, and if I wanted to follow that protocol, I flew to Atlanta and demanded my two tests Suggested that it would be best to go to the CDC HQ. (It was obviously a joke, as I was not even allowed to leave my bedroom).

Next, I saw friends who lived elsewhere and were infected with the virus were released from quarantine. Confused, I started asking around and realized that the guidance given for how long to stay in full quarantine was inconsistent. They did what they were told, but because such instructions varied from county to county (even from state to state), they seemed strange at best and dangerous at worst.

My worst fear is that I could infect another person with this potentially deadly virus. I think my experience, like my first test failure, is a sign of trouble. If we release people too soon, will they continue to shed viruses and infect other people? I am one of the lucky people who tested and got the results right away. No one treating themselves at home has received a call from the Health Commission without any guidance. Which protocol should be followed? I was one of the lucky people. But what if I release myself too soon and infect someone who got worse? And are you risking another exponential number of people, including brave healthcare professionals who are putting their lives at risk? It is not worth taking such a chance.

I checked it at CDC today, Instructions updated Another option was given to the two negative test routes. There seems to be enough news on the lack of test kits, but I don’t think I didn’t know. Therefore, CDC offers a second option that can reappear from bedroom lockdown. There is no fever for 72 hours, 7 days after the symptoms have improved and the first symptoms appeared. Under those rules, I might have been isolated more than a week ago.

We live here in the wild west of medicine. There is more information available on Facebook than a general practitioner. I do not intend to blame the doctor in shape or form. They not only endanger their lives on a daily basis, but also do it in the same void of information. They are heroes, each one.

But thankfully for the virus-stricken us, on the other side, we’re all a bit dark on what to do next. I was infected early with this virus (we all agree that the current week is like a normal year) and I am one of the first survivors. I want to do the right thing. I take the most conservative route because I want to be 100% sure that I’m not out of isolation and endangering others as soon as a minute. But I am worried about the many people who are now isolated (exponentially higher than last week) and the guidance they have, if any, given.

An Israeli cousin recently returned from New York City and was quarantined immediately, as is the current standard for immigrant. The Ministry of Health calls her daily and fines if she is caught outside, her movements will be tracked through her phone’s GPS-all that she has been in full 14 days of quarantine To confirm. Incredible. What I’m asking for is a lot of people who are responsibly self-separating because they’ve been told to test positive, and have been instructed to presume positive without a test available. They are just standard guidelines for people.

I was one of the lucky people. But what if I release myself too soon and infect someone who got worse? What happens if you risk another exponential number of people? It is not worth taking such a chance. I learned that one of the infected people was in a critical condition at ICU. When I heard the news, my heart sank. I understand how lucky I am and pray for his recovery.

I’ve been thinking for hours about the given “14 days from test” guidelines. Was the date of the test day one day? Do you count from that day or the next day? The doctor I asked did not know the answer. So, tomorrow will be the last day of my isolation and I will appear on Monday.

In the meantime, I signed up for all available medical research I can find (check out the public Facebook group Survival Corps List of active research studies and how to sign up), and as soon as I remain isolated and give my husband and children a great hug, I donate blood and plasma to help those who were not lucky Run up to the city to do with this virus just like me.

I can’t wait to take advantage of survivor superhero skills.