Among those infected with the coronavirus, only about 4 per cent of the affected people need hospitalization, while nearly 96 per cent can recover through isolation and care. With our healthcare infrastructure overburdened, home isolation has become a valuable and effective means of dealing with the coronavirus.
What does home isolation mean?
As per the WHO, “Being in isolation means being separated from other people, ideally in a medical facility where you can receive clinical care. If isolation in a medical facility is not possible and you are not in a high-risk group of developing severe disease, isolation can take place at home.”
It further states, “If you have symptoms, you should remain in isolation for at least 10 days plus an additional 3 days without symptoms. If you are infected and do not develop symptoms, you should remain in isolation for 10 days from the time you test positive.’
Home isolation kits
For the poor in India, home isolation presents many challenges.
First, it requires you to have a separate room and attached toilet. In the homes of the poor in India, space is often a significant problem, even under normal circumstances. Families of four to six members often reside in one- or two-bedroom houses in congested areas. In many instances, these houses do not have attached bathroom or toilets. All the residents of the area use community toilets.
Second, self-isolation without the care of doctors and nurses requires that you keep a track of your temperature, oxygen saturation level, etc. Doctors also recommend steam for smoother recovery from Covid-19. Thus, you need to have a thermometer, a pulse oximeter, and a steamer at home. Most families cannot afford to buy these items because they survive on daily wages and a hand-to-mouth subsistence.
Third, there should be a designated person to take care of the Covid patient at home. This is not possible for many families, and hiring help is not even an option.
Thus, it is important to remember that isolating at home is a privilege that not everyone has easy access to.
What can you do?
You may be wondering where you can donate for coronavirus relief? Smile Foundation is providing home isolation kits for Covid-19 patients who have mild and less severe symptoms. This can ensure that they get effective care at home, as far as possible. This is one of the many interventions of our Health Cannot Wait campaign, which is aimed at providing aid during the Covid-19 crisis in India.
Our target is to provide 50,000 home isolation kits to underprivileged Covid patients. The cost of one home isolation kit is Rs 2300. It includes digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, steam inhalation equipment, medicines, and supplements. Donate TODAY towards relief for the Covid emergency in your country.
