My Current Pandemic Protocol
What is a QuaranTeam?
I am part of a “QuaranTeam”. It comprises a small group of trusted friends who share knowledge and resources and support each other. We have vowed to have each other’s backs during this strange and unprecedented time.
In order to keep ourselves safe and not put anyone else at risk, we have all agreed to observe a strict safety protocol.
Is There Really a Danger?
Some believe that the threat of the virus is negligible and completely overblown, while others are convinced of the opposite.
Living in Vancouver, where the case numbers are quite low and things seem fairly calm and idyllic, the threat feels very minimal.
However!
We have spent many hours in conversation with healthcare professionals and reading and listening to many articles from a wide variety of sources.
This includes MANY with very strange and chilling details about the potential damage that can be wrought by this “novel” coronavirus. “Novel” meaning there are characteristics making it unlike any virus seen before…
Here’s a few random articles:
- How Does Coronavirus Kill? Clinicians Trace a Ferocious Rampage
- Permanent Lung Damage Found in Recovered Patients
- A Mysterious Blod-Clotting Complication is Killing Coronavirus Patients
There are many more articles like the ones above. The main takeaway is that this thing is very unique, very unknown and potentially very harmful, no matter how young or healthy you are.
Our Quaranteam’s position is: “We will do everything possible to avoid contracting this thing until more is known about how it functions and how to best deal with an infection.”
Our Current Protocol:
>>> The first draft document was written in ALL CAPS to be funny and drive home the point. I realize that ALL CAPS is ugly, potentially unsettling and annoying to read, but haven’t have time to adjust it yet. Please accept my heartfelt apologies.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES, ALL PERSONS WHO RESIDE IN OR VISIT OUR HOMES (AND ANYONE THEY CLOSELY INTERACT WITH) MUST AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS. THESE MAY SEEM STRICT, BUT BASED ON CURRENT KNOWLEDGE, HAVE BEEN DEEMED REASONABLE.
OUR POSITION IS THAT MUCH IS STILL UNKNOWN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS AND HOW POTENTIALLY DAMAGING IT CAN BE TO OUR PHYSIOLOGY, REGARDLESS OF OUR AGE OR CURRENT LEVEL OF HEALTH. GARY ALSO SUFFERED A TERRIBLE BOUT OF PNEUMONIA FIVE YEARS AGO AND HIS LUNGS MAY BE COMPROMISED…
THE LATEST RESEARCH SHOWS COVID CAN BE TRANSMITTED EVEN BY BREATHING OR TALKING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. IT CAN ALSO REMAIN AIRBORNE FOR HOURS, AS THIS VIDEO DEMONSTRATES:
THE VIRUS CAN ALSO LIVE FOR DAYS ON VARIOUS SURFACES.
THE VIRUS COULD ALSO MUTATE WITHOUT WARNING AND BECOME IMMENSELY MORE DEADLY, AS HAPPENED WITH THE SPANISH FLU (POTENTIALLY INFECTING OTHERS FOR WEEKS BEFORE THE MORE DEADLY MUTATION IS DETECTED).
THIS IS A ONCE-IN A CENTURY GLOBAL PANDEMIC EVENT. UNTIL MORE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SITUATION AND ALL QUARANTEAM MEMBERS AGREE TO UPDATE THE PROTOCOL, WE AGREE TO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:
SHOES:
MANY PEOPLE SPIT ON THE GROUND, ETC. THE VIRUS IS SPECULATED TO BE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE VIA SHOES. AS SUCH, ALL OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE ENTERING OUR HOMES AND PLACED IN A BOX OR BAG NEAR THE DOOR.
IF WE WALK BAREFOOT, IDEALLY WE DO SO IN A LOW-TRAFFIC AREA, PUT SOCKS ON AFTERWARDS, AND THEN WASH SOCKS AND FEET IMMEDIATELY WHEN RETURNING HOME.
TRAVEL:
WE DO NOT FEEL THAT TRAVEL ON PUBLIC TRANSIT OR IN UBER OR CAR-SHARING VEHICLES IS CURRENTLY WORTH THE RISK. ACCORDINGLY, WE WILL USE OUR OWN VEHICLES OR BICYCLES FOR ALL TRAVEL.
IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE TRANSIT IS NECESSARY, WE AGREE TO WEAR A FACE MASK AND GLOVES AND DO OUR BEST TO DISTANCE OURSELVES FROM OTHERS. WHEN RETURNING HOME, WE AGREE TO WASH OUR CLOTHES AND SHOWER.
SHOPPING:
ONLY ESSENTIAL SHOPPING IS PERMITTED. THIS INCLUDES GROCERIES OR OTHER SUPPLIES NECESSARY TO SURVIVAL. IDEALLY, ALL WILL BE DELIVERED.
NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS CAN BE ACQUIRED IN LARGE MONTHLY BULK BUYS OR ORDERED FOR DELIVERY, SO THE ONLY FORESEEN NEED WILL BE TO GET PERISHABLE ITEMS. BUY ENOUGH TO LAST AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. MAXIMUM OF ONE GROCERY RUN PER WEEK.
WHEN SHOPPING IS NECESSARY, WE AGREE TO WEAR A FACE MASK AND GLOVES AND DO OUR BEST TO DISTANCE OURSELVES FROM OTHERS, INCLUDING IN LINE-UPS.
WHEN RETURNING HOME, WE AGREE TO WASH OUR CLOTHES AND SHOWER.
THE VIRUS HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO ATTACH TO HAIR. ACCORDINGLY, WE AGREE TO COVER OUR HAIR WHEN SHOPPING (OR IF EMERGENCY TRANSIT TRAVEL OPTIONS ARE NECESSARY).
BRINGING GROCERIES AND OTHER ITEMS INTO THE HOME:
ALL GROCERY BOXES, BAGS AND FOOD MAY BE CONTAMINATED AND SHOULD BE EITHER LEFT TO SIT FOR THREE FULL DAYS OR CLEANED.
IT IS SPECULATED THAT THE VIRUS CAN LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THREE DAYS IN THE FRIDGE OR FREEZER, SO THE 3-DAY WAITING PERIOD DOESN’T APPLY. ALL MUST BE CLEANED OR COOKED.
ALL FRESH PRODUCE SHOULD BE CLEANED VIGOROUSLY WITH WARM WATER (SOAP NOT NECESSARY, APPARENTLY). DO NOT BUY LEAFY GREENS, SALADS OR FRESH BERRIES UNLESS YOU AGREE TO ALSO CLEAN THEM WITH WARM WATER.
Video corrections (from the YouTube video’s description):
- Rinse fruits and vegetables with water — no soap.
- COVID lives on cardboard for 1 day.
- Perishable foods like meat should be brought in the home and refrigerated.
- Only disinfect the outside packaging.
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 for info on disinfectants, etc.
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES:
NOT NECESSARY. PLAN AHEAD WITH SNACKS AND WATER BOTTLES.
FOOD DELIVERY:
ONLY ORDER HOT FOOD (UNLESS YOU WANT TO WASH COLD FOOD IN WARM WATER) AND WASH ALL DELIVERY CONTAINERS.
HOSPITALS / MEDICAL CENTERS:
IF THIS IS NECESSARY, WE AGREE TO WEAR A FACE MASK, GLOVES, EYE COVERAGE, AVOID SITTING ON WAITING ROOM SEATS AND THEN WASH OUR CLOTHES AND SHOWER UPON RETURNING HOME
CLEANING GUIDELINES FOR GROCERY PACKAGING, PARCELS, LETTER MAIL AND ANYTHING ELSE BROUGHT INTO THE HOME:
ALCOHOL SOLUTIONS WITH AT LEAST 70% ALCOHOL AND UNEXPIRED HOUSEHOLD BLEACH ARE EFFECTIVE AGAINST CORONAVIRUSES WHEN PROPERLY DILUTED.
TO MAKE A BLEACH SOLUTION, MIX 1/3RD CUP OF BLEACH PER GALLON OF WATER. LEAVE SOLUTION ON THE SURFACE FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE: HOW TO PROPERLY DISINFECT WITH BLEACH
MORE CLEANING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE HERE:
PROPER DISPOSABLE GLOVE REMOVAL:
PROPER MASK PROTOCOL:
WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE PUTTING IT ON, DON’T TOUCH IT WHILE WEARING IT AND WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE REMOVING. IDEALLY, HAVE THREE OR MORE MASKS THAT YOUR ROTATE, AS THE VIRUS CAN REMAIN ON THE MASK FOR UP TO THREE DAYS. N-95 MASKS ARE THE BEST, BUT HOMEMADE MASKS ARE BETTER THAN NOTHING.
GOING OUT ALONE (OR WITH QUARANTEAM MEMBERS):
WE AGREE THAT AS LONG AS WE ARE OUTDOORS, MASKS ARE NOT NECESSARY, PROVIDED WE ENSURE THAT WE STAY A MINIMUM OF 10 FEET AWAY FROM OTHERS (6 FEET IS APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH).
ALWAYS BRING A MASK AND GLOVES WITH YOU WHEN LEAVING THE HOME IN CASE YOU NEED TO USE A BATHROOM OR THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS:
EMERGENCY USE ONLY. WEAR MASK AND GLOVES WHEN ENTERING AND HOVER OVER THE SEAT OR BUILD A NICE THICK TOILET PAPER BARRIER. 100 LAYERS OF 1-PLY MINIMUM!
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS NOT BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT:
IF THEY ARE NOT OBSERVING THIS PROTOCOL, THEY MUST BE ASSUMED TO HAVE COVID AND CANNOT BE ALLOWED INTO OUR HOMES. WE CAN MEET WITH THEM ON VIDEO CALLS OR OUTDOORS, BUT MUST MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF 10 FEET.
BRINGING A NEW PERSON INTO THE QUARANTEAM:
ALL CORE MEMBERS MUST AGREE THAT THE NEW PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE AND TRUSTWORTHY AND AFTER AGREEING TO OUR PROTOCOL AND UNDERGOING A TWO WEEK QUARANTINE PERIOD (SINCE THE VIRUS CAN BE ASYMPTOMATIC FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS), CAN BE ALLOWED TO ENTER OUR HOMES AND HAVE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH US.
FUTURE PROTOCOLS:
WE ARE WORKING ON SOURCING TEST KITS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO RAPIDLY TEST OURSELVES AND OUR FRIENDS TO MAXIMIZE GROUP SAFETY :)
❤ WE AGREE TO TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER ALWAYS ❤
In Conclusion:
This is our current protocol. We feel it to be the best balance of risk vs. reward at this stage of the pandemic and for our lives at this time, based on all the information we have received.
We are always seeking to broaden our knowledge and upgrade our systems and thoughtful feedback is greatly appreciated :)
If you find it to be useful, please share. It’s Open-Source and has been released under “share-alike content licensing”.
We are also hosting Virtual Dance Parties every Saturday night to boost as many spirits as possible and keep us strong and vital throughout the pandemic! We hope you will join us!
