I will be returning from Singapore on Tuesday and will be forced into self isolation for 14 days. Not too bothered as I will have my wife and two young kids, paid leave and have some family support for supplies during this period.
Interested in any ideas from the community on ways to entertain the kids (4 and 1), limit spending (besides ubereats codes) and any other thoughts to share that might be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
@capslock janitor: The fact you lack critical thinking skills (or more likely, just didn't read the post properly) doesn't stop it being common sense.
I know I have a habit of overestimating the intelligence of the general public, but this is basic stuff!
@callum9999: Why are you blaming or insulting others for not using "common sense", "lacking intelligence/critical thinking skills" in this scenario? It was the OP that wrote "I" and not "We". This simple mistake is the main cause of the misunderstanding in my view.
It's like a car running a red light at an intersection and blaming the other car going through the green light for not stopping and avoiding the accident. The car running the red light is at fault. Yes, on occasion the green light car could possibly notice and react to avoid the accident, but it's not their fault if they couldn't/didn't.
If someone writes something, one should be able to accept what they are writing as being accurate as per the definitions of the words they've used, without having to critically analyse the piece of writing in case it means something else.
In this scenario it is entirely possible the OP travelled alone and was looking for tips for self isolation, but mentioned his family would be around to help stave of insanity.
Instead of going by what people ‘think’ in these uncertain tines, how about we go with the official advice?
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020…
Only those returning from overseas have to self isolate. Other household members do not, but all household members should take precautions to not be in close contact.
Yes, people will say ‘but you might still pass something on’. I’m simply sharing the government guidelines - if you can take steps above these, then fantastic.
Yes, that's what I said initially?
If it is just you returning, then technically you have to quarantine from your family also.
Otherwise it's more likely you'll just pass it to them and then they'll pass it onto others.
It's not, because you don't have to isolate yourself from the rest of the household.
@callum9999: Fair enough, I said "you have to" when that is not accurate. But I personally think it would be prudent to, nevertheless.
I mean one would think one would care more for one's immediate family vs random strangers that one wouldn't want to increase their chance of contracting more than necessary (within reason) also…
@John Kimble: Why stop there? If you really care about your family shouldn't you all go and live in a bubble out in the middle of nowhere for the next year?
I'm about to be put in self isolation as I return from New Zealand soon - a country with virtually no cases. The risk I carry the virus is effectively zero and anyone in my house is much more likely to pick it up from outside the house than from me. There will be many in that same situation.
@callum9999: Because that would be extreme/excessive/unnecessary. But I suppose it's all relative and situational.
Unfortunately, it seems that the government is usually running behind… It's like the "max 500 people" then "max 100 people" then "max 10 people"… If you have to avoid people, you obviously should avoid 500 and 100… And probably 10…
The logic behind self isolate is that you might be coronavirus positive with or without symptoms. If that's the case, everyone in your household might be (or quickly become) positive. So, unless you really self isolate from them, they should self isolate from the community too.
Don't wait for the government to say what you have to do when health professionals have been talking about that for a while…
Bring some toilet paper and hand sanitizer back with you and sell…
Ha ha just ducked to shops and found myself buying tp to bring back, there will be flying cars by 2020…
there will be flying cars by 2020…
There's bidets too.
Pack some dryfoods back as well
Deep breathe and cough exercises.
Sputum expectoration challenges.
Highest fever competition.
Loudest wheeze game.
First for a ventilator race.
Cook off, riceless risotto versus pasta free carbonara.
I should add we are all totally healthy atm and Singapore has no deaths and less cases than Australia. Singapore was all over it from day one.
Thats good, we're not all over it here. Its probably a good thing you are going to be isolated from us.
We wont even test people unless they meet criteria, overseas in last 14 days or known positive contact AND fever or breathlessness.
That means there are thousands undetected and our confirmed cases mean nothing. We are refusing to test symptomatic people.
Good on Singapore, South Korea, Germany and Norway, they have the best testing and detection thats why they have the most accurate mortality rates. Everywhere else has skewed stats because they dont have the ability to do widespread testing.
I'm picking up that vibe from here. Plugging holes on the run.
loudest wheeze game sounds like a good one, id spectate to that
Play I-Spy….
Something beginning with 'C'
Car. Is it my turn?
Close but wrong. It’s a kind of beer.
Carlton?
Your family will drive you insane. Make sure to schedule alone time/ space otherwise every little thing will start getting on your nerves very quickly.
And this here will make this virus even harder to contain than it already is.
And you my friend, are the reason this is going to get worse before it gets better
Free trial Netflix, Stan, Prime, etc
"Forced"
The fine if you're caught isn't worth risking it
Things wouldnt have to come to this if people only understood why they are being quarantined in the first place.
Yes you might not get sick or symptoms might be mild for you but thats cold comfort isnt it to those who lost a loved one to this disease.
And https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/524479 (20 Days Free Resources for School Closures (Prep to Grade 9) @ Scholastic US)
I would purchase lots of toys and new things to play with for the kids in Singapore so you don't have to deal with the hassle of trying to get it here. Good luck!
If you check my hours on Xbox, it appears I've been in isolation for 2/3 of my life.
Packet of balloons. Blow a couple up and bat them around to each other. Endless fun.
Use the time to read and play with every toy you own - new bundle each day.
Have the kids put on a performance for you - dress up, sing a song/do a trick etc. They love having a captive audience.
Blast music and have a 'dance party'. Anything from Trolls will do.
Build a fort. Use a sheet and couch cushions or dining chairs. Eat snacks and have naps in it.
Wrestle and have tickle fights.
Chuck them in the bath with lots of bubbles and toys. Put something unusual in the tub for them to change things up a bit - duplo etc.
Put them in the back yard/on the patio with a shallow storage tub full of water and bath toys. You'll need to supervise closely but they'll happily play away without much direction needed.
Treat it as a rare opportunity to spend a heap of quality time with your kids whilst they're so young. Clichéd, but they really do grow up way too fast!
If a large number of people are going to isolate at home for 14 days, there'll be a lot of Christmas babies this year!
I hope not…but good point.
Or the record for the most number of headaches ever experienced simultaneously will be broken instead.
we already have a name for the new generation, born in 2020 or after = Coronial
Condoms are still available…
pack as much toilet paper as you can before coming back as you'll be lucky if you can buy any after you land
Just bought a 10 pack. No panic buying here.
Do you have anyone who could stock up your fridge and pantry for you?
My wife is in self-imposed isolation since Friday. We planned it before she even left for Japan as we wanted to minimise the risk of exposure to others as much as possible. So we had a bit of a head-start on everyone and had enough food and TP (!) stored away for when she comes back. I've even meal-prepped for the week and left her favourite ice-cream , wine, tim-tams ,yoga mat, fresh clothes , books , bedlinen, a skipping rope , potted flowers…etc at the place where she'll be staying. Her employer was aware of our plans and has organised internet access at her new place as they expect her to work from home during the next 2 weeks.
We skyped earlier today and it already sounds like the isolation is starting to get to her. It also feels surreal to know that she is in Melbourne but we can't be with her. Hard to explain to the kids. At least you're with your family.
I did plan a head slightly being mildly aware of how things can go south, mainly to cover the kids needs. Also just did a woolies online order fingers crossed that gets delivered on time.
Does she have symptoms? If nothing has happened in 7 days and she got back before Sunday she should be freely able to move about.
Not sure what we'll do if someone gets the virus in our house, most likely it'll be too late by the time we know and we'll all get it. We can't afford self isolation in a hotel room.
She arrived on Friday and is staying at a friend's place. Our friend is stuck in Norway and was happy for my wife to use his unit. She is lucky as she does have access to a small backyard and has been spending a lot of her time outside reading, doing yoga, rope-skipping, listening to music…etc trying to keep busy.Being stuck in a motel room would have been so much worse and like you said, expensive.
Video calls have been the hardest. Everyone goes in happy and excited to tell her about their day and then it inevitably ends in tears when it is time to say goodbye. The twins are acutely aware of the panic that has been reigning over the last couple of days and are worried that the country might go in lock-down before she can come home. They are also worried that she might fall sick and there won't be anyone to look after her. My youngest, who has no concept of time, keeps telling her that he was 3 when she left and he will be an old man when she comes back. She has been gone for 24 days - the longest they have ever been without their mother.
She woke up with a mild headache this morning which she is ascribing to the glass of red she had before bed and oversleeping. We are all hoping she is right. We never planned what would happen in the event that she did get infected. We will just have to play it by ear and cross that bridge when/if we get there, I guess.
In 14 days we may all be in isolation, so don't bank on getting out then.
That sounds inevitable. Maybe I'll be the first out…
bonus - if you put a big sign on the front door saying "CORONAVIRUS - DO NOT ENTER!!" you can blast your music and movies as loud as you like knowing the cops will never knock on your door to tell you to turn it down
good joke
but don't
bricks and large stones might
actually that's another thought what happens if a coronavirus patient commits a crime and goes to jail
is there a quarantine section to put them in?
if you do this, I'll steal the main fuse from your electrical meter box :P
Music and dancing with a 1 and 4 year old will pass some time.
Pass the time, or make it drag 🤔
Ah, if you don't enjoy it or enjoy watching the kids dance, maybe a drag. My friend's 1 year old is funny
Just joking, good idea.
@Chuckles79: Also works as exercise, getting endorphins up, breaking routine. My friend's 1 year old is happy with tv adverts let alone music 😋
So your saying dressing up in drag is a great way to pass the time?
Could be.
Give it a couple days, maybe.
Sign into your local library and then get all magazines you could possibly want to read.
The only magazines I would possibly want to read isn't available in my local library.
Pretty sure it's not in any other public libraries either.
Japanese ones?
Porn mags? Was that really a thing? Anyway, someone posted a deal the other day from Pornhub: they are giving free premium access to anyone in lock-down. If you pause the videos, they will look just like photos from one of your cherished magazines and you can erm 'read' them.
I'm actually after their editorials and opinion pieces.
I like to know how the government will police this.
I doubt they have even thought about it. Im curious to see how this works from arrival to isolation given we will need to catch a taxi home. Will they provide protective equipment for us, taxi driver? Otherwise what is the point.
This is exactly the thinking that will see this virus not only thrive but desomate more of the population.
Oh i am not being watch over by the police or any authority. I will do as i please.
Exactly what is happening overseas. A patient tested positive and was in hospital was freely walking in and out of hospital.
Extended family gaming sessions
Good thread! I'm in a similar boat. Flying back from LA with the wife and 3YO, my parents are going to get me some groceries before we get home. I have heard there is a 1 week delay on Coles online orders.
Will probably have to suspend some memberships like gym and reschedule kids swimming and ballet classes etc.
It's going to be a long 14 days haha
It's funny to think about doing it but when it becomes reality it it's less comical.
Give centrelink a call. By time they answer…….. Bam 14 days filled.
A bit like trying to call flight centre or any airline atm.
Give msy a call.
Enrol in almost every competition you can find. My brother is coming from overseas tomorrow and would ask him to do the same
Tablets for the 1 and 4 year old network gaming for mum and dad time will pass to quick
Purchase “Game of life” it’s a fun game better then monopoly for the family!
Cooking with the kids is fun/play dough making
Drawing /colouring in/painting
Knitting/crochet
Complete back log of udemy
Plenty of board games….
Call an old friend
My plan was to clear my emails, the junk drawer and maybe even go through my bills to get better deals from insurance power etc.
In reality I am sitting here watching Netflix with a deep conditioning mask in my hair and a face mask on.
I'm lucky I travelled by myself but we have 3 quarantine zones in my house. Mine, my son -who came down with a nasty cold/flu just before I came home and the 2 unaffected who are lucky because they get to respond to our texts and phone calls and leave food etc at our doors.
Dominos, Dominos, Dominos…
Prefer Monopoly myself
Some great stand up comedy specials are being dropped in the month of March so get on Netflix and have a laugh (we all need it!)
Fortnite
teach kids how to cook lots of movie and play tempter game. just spent quality time with your kids and wife.
RDR2 (if you have an XB1 or PS4)
Might replay RDR2…
If you are in QLD:
How do I get things I need while in self-quarantine?
The Queensland Government is partnering with the Australian Red Cross, to ensure people have access to support during their period of self-quarantine. This service includes a regular telephone call to check-in on the person’s wellbeing and to identify any practical support they may need help with. For example, organising the delivery of groceries, access to educational materials, replacement of medications etc.
People who are self-quarantined must call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for further advice and to register for support. Staff at 13 HEALTH can connect people through to a local public health unit and other health support services.
https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coron…
For others I would recommend checking your state/local government's health website to see if they have something similar.
Watch all of One Piece. 14 days filled.
Animal crossing!
Netflix and chill
"Can I self isolate at a friend's house?"
Hi, my uncle will be returning from a non-High risk country.
Things are complicated, He's been staying at a mate's house here for months and most his belongings are there (instead of his registered address).
So is he allowed to self-quarantine at that place,
so he doesn't need to pack the stuff he needs over?
Will he/they be fined?
ways to entertain the kids (4 and 1)
Lego, they never tire of it in my experience
playdough bought or better make it https://theimaginationtree.com/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-…
bake real cookies-if you have the ingredients
Chalk- if you have any kind of outdoor area, wash it off and start again-and again
cut up magazines/shopping leaflets with appropriate blunt scissors. Hours of entertainment right there
Make dollys out of T roll middles-stick clothes on them from the cut outs
Hide n seek-the bathroom is out of bounds in this house
Make a cubby house with a sheet over a table
Teach the older one to tie their shoelaces and tell the time
check pinterest for home made games there's masses on there
Try these movies:
Outbreak (1995)
12 Monkeys (1995)
The Andromeda Strain (2008)
Contagion (2011)
@callum9999:
Nope my first thought was he's travelling alone too, and back to his family here.