CNBNews

As off-campus leases end this summer, more college students and new grads
will head home, potentially bringing coronavirus with them.
A Virtua Health expert – and dad of a returning college student – offers advice.

(Marlton, N.J.) As college students and new graduates return to their family homes, this would normally be a happy time for many parents. But today, that pleasure is dimmed by concern that their loved one might unknowingly bring the coronavirus home, too.   

Moreover, even after the initial risk has passed, families may struggle to keep everyone healthy and happy for the long haul – especially as states start to re-open.

Dr. James Sekel, lead physician at Virtua Primary Care - Washington Township, offers tips for families in these situations. In fact, the father of two has personally faced this issue when his older son came home from college.

“The biggest challenge was early on. The beginning was very stressful,” said Dr. Sekel, whose 20-year-old returned to Washington Township, N.J., from Virginia Tech in March.

Over the past few months, the family – including Dr. Sekel’s wife and 17-year-old son – has learned to cope with both health precautions and the emotional fallout from the pandemic. 

As a doctor and a parent, Dr. Sekel offers the following advice for families of returning students or any new household member.

The trip home

Before and while traveling, limit contact with others as much as possible. When you must be around others – such as when you stop for gas or to pick up a meal – wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth, and remain at least 6 feet away from people whenever possible.

Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching high-contact surfaces such as door handles, gas pump handles, and credit-card machines.

Bring disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces you cannot avoid, such as high-touch parts of a rental car or your airplane seat and tray.

Avoid touching your face at all times.

For more information, see the CDC’s Travel Considerations.

The first two weeks after arrival

The returning person should remain separate (isolated) from other household members for 14 days. That’s because the incubation period – the time between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms – lasts up to 14 days. Those who have been exposed but do not yet show symptoms can still pass the virus to others.

“Don’t hang out together in the same room,” Dr. Sekel advised, “and have the person wear a cloth mask over their nose and mouth when they are in shared areas of the home.”

Others should wear masks in these areas as well.   

However, masks don’t provide complete protection from the virus “because a lot of air still comes in around the edges of the mask,” he explained.

If possible, avoid having the isolated person share a bathroom, as it can be easier to catch the virus in such a confined (and germy) area. If the isolated person must share a bathroom with others, the other family members should delay using the room immediately after the isolated person, ideally waiting two or three hours, and should also wear a mask.

If others share a bathroom with the isolated person, they should all use a separate tote to keep their toothbrush and other personal items off the countertop.

Plus, keep a container of disinfecting wipes and disposable gloves in the bathroom. Ask the returning household member to use the gloves and wipes to clean surfaces before leaving the bathroom, including the sink, countertop, and door handles.

Other household members should not go in the person’s room. If the person must share a bedroom, place beds at least 6 feet apart, if possible, and sleep head to toe. You can also separate beds with a physical barrier, such as a room divider, shower curtain, large quilt, or even a big piece of cardboard.

If the person has or develops any symptoms of COVID-19, they should contact their health care provider for additional instructions. In most cases, the person will need to isolate themselves for another 14 days after the start of symptoms.

Consider testing

Coronavirus testing is now available in South Jersey and other areas, even for people without symptoms. Locally, certain Rite Aid stores offer free testing for those who are symptom-free.  

Consider having the returning student tested for coronavirus once he or she arrives home.

“This could shorten the 14-day isolation period,” said Dr. Sekel.

In other words, if the student’s test result is negative – indicating no coronavirus infection – their family may feel comfortable ending the isolation period early. However, a negative test result does not guarantee a person is uninfected, as no test is 100% accurate.

And if the test comes back positive for coronavirus, the family should continue isolating the person.

Dr. Sekel cautions against the coronavirus antibody test, which checks for evidence of a past COVID-19 infection. “The antibody test is not reliable enough,” he said.

A long-term stay

After the isolation period, if no household member shows coronavirus symptoms, families can resume close contact with each other and stop wearing masks at home when no other visitors are present.

Nevertheless, it’s still important for everyone to limit their risk of contracting COVID-19 – and passing it to other household members.

People who live in households with those who are at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19 should act as though they, too, are at high risk. These individuals include people age 65 and older, and those of any age with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease.

The Sekels, for instance, are extra cautious regarding their sons’ elderly grandparents, and have only visited them outdoors from 15 feet away. 

In general, Dr. Sekel advises everyone to: 

• Limit errands to those that are essential, such as grocery shopping and medical appointments.
• Wear a mask when doing such activities.
• Wipe down shopping carts with disinfecting wipes.
• Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer before heading home and after you enter your house.

Returning to outside activities

In New Jersey, outdoor venues are beginning to reopen, including parks, golf courses, and outside restaurant dining.

“It’s not necessary to wear a mask outdoors, as long as you stay at least six feet away from other people,” said Dr. Sekel.

In fact, his older son has already golfed under this rule with a friend. And Dr. Sekel and his wife recently hosted another couple for a backyard barbecue. 

“We sat on one side of the fire pit and our friends sat on the other side, about 10 feet apart.”  

Protecting families’ mental health

Families should also consider emotional well-being when deciding on precautions, said Dr. Sekel.

“A lot of teens are getting depressed,” he said. “Their whole social life has been taken away.”

Therefore, parents may want to allow young adults to socialize periodically – as long as they follow social-distancing rules and, preferably, remain outdoors.

“And make sure they wear their mask over both their nose and mouth, or it won’t be effective,” he stated.  

He advises parents to watch for signs of depression, noting that young people are more likely to harm themselves than older individuals are.

At the same time, “you have to give young adults their space,” he said. “Let them have their bad days. Not everyone is going to be happy and cheerful right now.”

And with so many health-related restrictions, he suggests that parents relax other rules when possible.

For the Sekels, the pandemic has brought more opportunities to spend time together as a family.

“We wouldn’t normally see our sons as much. We’ve had more conversations,” the doctor said. “I tell people to just try to stay positive and enjoy your family life.”

To learn more about preventing coronavirus and safeguarding your health, please visit Virtua Health’s Expert Tips and Information webpage.

Photo caption: Dr. James Sekel and his wife, Jennifer Sekel.

About Virtua Health:
Virtua Health is committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 14,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including a renowned cardiology program, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, and more than 280 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through home health, rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program. Virtua has 2,850 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, from addiction and other behavioral issues to lack of nutritious food and stable housing. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Virtua has received many awards for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit ThisIsVirtua.org. To help Virtua make a difference, visit GiveToVirtua.org.