The omicron variant of the coronavirus has rapidly spread across the United States, upending holiday plans for some of the pandemic-weary and driving people to testing sites — and for many, into quarantine.
Some experts have warned infection may be creeping closer to an inevitability for many. Those who have tested positive or have been exposed to someone who has been infected are quarantining and isolating. If and when that happens, public health experts and psychologists have recommendations for ways to cope and to stay safe.
What’s the difference between quarantine and isolation?
“Isolation” takes place after you’ve been infected. If you have tested positive for the coronavirus but don’t have any symptoms, you should isolate for 10 days, beginning the first full day after the positive test, according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, start the 10-day isolation period from the beginning.
If you are symptomatic, the CDC says to begin the 10-day isolation the day after symptoms develop.
“Quarantine” occurs after you’ve been exposed and possibly infected after being in close contact with somebody who has tested positive. The CDC defines “close contact” as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms, but the CDC says they should get tested five to seven days after…
