The DJ who's not a DeeJay

Isolating in a bedroom for a few days is bearable if you have your bare necessities. For longer periods of isolation, you may find yourself wishing you had more things in your room. You're essentially making your bedroom into a smaller version of your living space, so for the upcoming few days, your room will serve as your primary residence.

In situations where you must immediately isolate yourself, it is best to identify a room in your home and arrange items there in advance so that you don't have to worry about them and can reduce contact with your family.

To minimize risks, you should have a one-way policy. Whatever goes inside the room stays inside the room. That’s why it’s essential that you have items readily available.

Based on my experience, here are some items you’ll find handy if you have them readily available.

1. Plates and utensils. - You don’t need your entire kitchen in your room, but having your own fork, spoon, and knife, plus a plate and cup will come in handy during your meals. 

2. Cleaning solutions. - You’ll need dishwashing soap and a sponge to wash your eating utensils.  If you have a bathroom, you'll also need it to keep your bathroom sanitized.

   
   
   

3. Hygienic materials. - Have a bottle of alcohol and some anti-bacterial wipes on hand.  Sprays would also be handy in disinfecting your general area. You’ll also need a supply of masks for those instances when you need to open your door to receive something. And keep several boxes of tissue in the room. These are heavily used items when sick and you'll need more of them so stock up.

4. Medical gadgets and health boosters. - Have a thermometer to check your temperature, a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure and pulse, and an oximeter to measure your blood oxygen levels and heart rate. For health supplements, keep a bottle of vitamins and other immune boosters handy.

   
   
   

5. Clothes. - You’ll be alone, but you’ll still need to change clothes, especially since your general area may be contaminated with germs from your infection. Prepare luggage in advance with clothes. Pack as if you’re going on a vacation because you’ll be checked into your own room for a while.

6. Cooking gadgets. - This may be optional, but it does come in handy, especially if you want a hot meal or hot drink. Having a kettle allows you to make tea or sterilize your utensils. If you have a small toaster, you can use it to toast bread or heat up food. If you have space (and an extra budget), you can also have a microwave to heat up leftover food for a hot meal.

7. Extra food. - Snacking foods like crackers or tea bags is easy to store and has a longer shelf life. They come in handy when you find yourself inside a room feeling hungry. If you have a mini-refrigerator, that could also be handy but it’s not a necessity.

8. Trashcan. - Not all rooms have a trashcan by default so better to have one handy. This also includes trash bags and possibly gloves in case you need to manage and compact your trash. 

9. Writing materials. - Have a notebook and pen ready to log your vital stats. I found it useful in writing down the dates and times I should be taking my medicine. When you’re sick, you’ll have more than the usual number of tablets to take and it may be confusing. 

10. A webcam. - This helps your family monitor you remotely for any reason at all. Some webcams, like ours, have a two-way speaker, which allows you to talk and converse. It also gives your family peace of mind when they see you’re doing ok.

Other things can help you cope with isolation, but you can prepare these beforehand so you won't have to worry about it and can focus on getting well.

I hope this helps. 

Take care.