- May inform someone you forgot during contact tracing.
- Set the stage to communicate your COVID-19 test results.
- Help create your support (moral and supplies) network.
In an earlier draft of the self-directed contact tracing concept, I was suggesting people first post the fact that they have symptoms of the coronavirus on all of their social media platforms, such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. That is after they have spoken with their doctor. I removed social media for the sake of brevity since the steps were growing, so people would more readily understand the overall concept.
I still believe that posting to social media immediately after talking to your doctor is the right approach. Posting could provide broader reach and inform people you may have missed in building your contact list. If they remember the encounter and self-quarantine, then that will further reduce the number of exposed people walking around in public, reduce the spread of the virus, and ultimately save lives.
Posting that you may have COVID-19 to social media would also set the stage for communicating your test results. Your friends and family will be glad to hear either way, good or bad. Ones you called during contact tracing could respond through social media, reducing your number of callbacks.
Last, you could gain some well needed moral support by posting you are sick to social media. This encouragement could be beneficial as you wait for COVID-19 testing and the results. If you happen to test positive and have a mild case, there is a good chance the hospital will send you home to self-quarantine. In this case, your initial social media message could lay the groundwork for establishing your supply network. Yes, you could order most products from grocery stores or Amazon and have them delivered, but you may still need help with other items. I am thinking about those Anthony Thomas chocolates right now. Your friends and family are always your best support team, so lean on them if you catch the coronavirus.
I know many feel weird about posting your health status on social media. But, if you happen to reach one person that you missed on your contact list, that can reduce the spread of the coronavirus and save lives. Who knows, you may also give others the courage to mention their struggles with COVID-19 and help them gain valuable moral support.
Take care and be safe!
Jeff
#SelfDirectedContactTracing #SimpleCoronavirusSolution