Before & During COVID-19 Self-Isolation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dommnique Washington | Individuals who are confirmed or feel they may have come in contact with coronavirus can reduce the risk of spreading it to others by wearing face masks. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dommnique Washington, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

03.17.2020

Story by Sgt. Dommnique Washington 

7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

WIESBADEN, Germany -- The soldiers, family members, and Department of Defense civilians affiliated with U.S. Army Europe are encouraged to take action to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, through self-isolation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, self-isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
According to the self-isolation procedures released by USAREUR, personnel self-isolating should not go to work, school or public areas. They should also avoid using public transportation, ride sharing or taxis.
“It means restrict movement,” Col. Steve Birchfield, USAREUR surgeon, said. “What we’re asking people to do is go home and self-isolate for 14 days.”
While preparing for self-isolation, some things to consider are having access to at least two weeks’ worth of food, water, prescription medications and basic essential hygiene products.
When gathering these essentials, social distancing is highly encouraged to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.
“Six feet is considered the high-risk distance from someone who’s infected to someone who’s not,” Birchfield said. “We know that this is spread by droplets and we think that within 6 feet you’re more likely to be at risk.”
Individuals who feel like they’ve been in contact with COVID-19 and are self-isolating should immediately contact and maintain regular contact with their immediate supervisors to understand appropriate pay-leave status and to provide updates on their condition.
For additional information on COVID-19 and what you can do to help prevent its spread, visit the US Army Europe COVID-19 website at https://www.eur.army.mil/COVID-19/.
Other resources for accurate information are the “Coronavirus Disease 2019" website at https://www.coronavirus.gov?source=GovDelivery, the “What the U.S. Government is Doing” website at https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus?source=GovDelivery, or your Garrison’s website.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2020
• Date Posted: 03.17.2020 12:50
• Story ID: 365355
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE