WorldConsul's Consular Advisory to Travelers on the Covid-19 Pandemic: Shelter in Place Once national boundaries in the most developed countries close, and airlines reduce their schedules (and airports and airplanes become infection risks), most travelers will be forced to shelter in place. WorldConsul is currently sheltering in place in Switzerland, and has an illness that has lasted for 17 days, with many similar symptoms to the Covid-19 infection. I will give you my experience, then advice you might not be getting from your travel guides First, I had already prepared by shopping for two weeks food, bottled water, toilet paper, and having two weeks supply of different types of medication in a first aid kit: make sure you have acetaminophen and some type of medication that treats cough and chest congestion. I spent productive time on internet, so laptop or smart device and internet are a good idea, and I have paper and some books for backup. I actually did some writing, poetry, journal writing, yoga, and meditation. I has a little patio where I could go yet still stay safely distant, to get air. This was good for my physical and mental health. Stay positive, look for inspiration, keep a good humor. Check out Facebook group "Survivor Corp" for peer to peer support/ first-hand info. This is one thing Facebook is good for. Here is my post: Day 15. Symptoms seem to change a bit every day. First symptoms for me were muscle cramps, then sore throat, fatigue for a few days. My feet are more tender than usual, blood sugar definitely up despite eating very carefully, lots of leg cramps the first several days. So far moderate symptoms at home like flu: cramps, headache, fever 2-3 degrees low 96.8-(long story), fatigue, occasional lethargy, nausea, constant body aches, occasional tight chest wheezy, some days with really fuzzy brain/concentration. Pneumonia 2 years ago was worse but only lasted 7 days. I'm abroad, borders closed no flights, but in a decent situation (airbnb with great hosts). Lots of history as a hospital medical provider in past life so I have otc meds, herbs, tp (lol). Stay positive, everyone. I'm hoping to volunteer in hospital once I recover, have immunity. Day 16 update- feeling a bit better today at last, hopefully recovering now. Day 17: spoke too soon, some breathing problems, woke with bad cramps, muscle aches, spent all day in bed Steps You Need to Take Get to a Safe Place, and If It's Too Late, Shelter in Place Approximately 50% of the world's population can be expected to get the virus over the coming year, depending on the actions countries take in the coming month. Your chances of survival seem to be 400% better (1% versus 4%) in the developed country U.S. than world-wide. If possible, travel to a more developed country, preferably with managed costs for hospital care for travelers. Stay near, but not inside a major city with well-developed health infrastructure. High population density is a risk factor. Prepare to Spend A Month or More in Self-Isolation or Sheltering in Place Keep Informed Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for updated information, and your local health department for local conditions and updates. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice Visit your county's consulate or embassy web site and read their warning and advice, locate them, register if you feel comfortable as a visitor in their and get their list of vetted doctors. A smart thing to do would be see a doctor so you have a relationship, should you need it. Get the doctor's updated advice and ask for prophylactic medications, and get a refill of any medications you need. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus Get the U.N. Travel Advisory App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.un.oict.dss.travel&hl=en_US Finally, Prepare for the Worst Case Make plans to get sick. 80% of those who get sick can manage outside the hospital. The basd news is that the virus can take several weeks to run its course. Do you have health insurance? Find out what a hospital stay would cost and prepare financially if you can. Contact your own doctor and ask if they have any contacts in the country you are in and health recommendations. Ask a local or two (from a safe distance) what they do for care, and know where the closest pharmacy, clinic, and hospital are located. How will you get there if you are sick? Do they deliver? Stay Clean Stay in a hotel, room, or apartment where you can have your own bathroom and space if possible, where you can get fresh air, get outside if possible, and get delivery, with good internet. Get some cleaning supplies if you don't trust the cleanliness of your space and try to limit visitors even cleaners unless you are certain they are taking proper infection control precautions. The Worst Case Do you have a will? Do all the people you care for know where you are, that you care for them, and what your wishes are? The good news is now you have some time to think on your mortality, your life, what you truly care about, and what your plans are if you die. Plan for what you will do when you recover, and decide to volunteer to help those who are suffering worse than you are.
Consulate for World Citizens
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