What to do if You Have Omicron

Given the transmissibility of this variant, it is likely that either you or someone you know will catch Omicron. Here are some steps to keep you and others safe.

Note: If you haven’t tested positive but are experiencing symptoms, (soar throat, runny nose, fatigue, headache, sneezing) you should assume you have Omicron and follow as many of these steps as possible. Symptoms may take a few days to appear, so if a close contact has it, you should assume you have it as well.

1. Isolate From Everyone

If you have symptoms, but your family doesn’t, it’s time for you to hide in the basement. Have someone deliver your food and supplies. Make sure they’ve left the area before you open the door. Assume that the virus will hang in the air for a bit. Block the bottom of the door with a towel to prevent a draft from sucking virus into the adjoining room or hall.

Anyone with Omicron symptoms should isolate for at least 10 days. This variant is ridiculously contagious. It might be the most transmissible virus in modern history. Better to play it safe.

If you don’t have a basement, then sleep in separate rooms. If you don’t have separate rooms, then sleep as far apart as possible.

2. Notify Contacts

In some areas, both testing and contract tracing are overwhelmed. Anyone you’ve seen indoors without a mask on in the last week should be notified. If possible, these contacts should get tested ASAP. If testing isn’t possible, they should isolate to see if they develop symptoms. The WHO recommends that a close contact isolate for 14 days. (This might not be possible given your work situation.)

The CDC recommends that even if a close contact initially tests negative, they should get re-tested again after 5-7 days or immediately if symptoms develop.

3. Wear a Better Mask

Yes, you’ve already caught Omicron, but there might be others in your household that haven’t. You can help to protect them by wearing an N95 (or equivalent) mask while indoors. This will help prevent you from spewing virus everywhere.

If you can’t find an N95 mask, then a surgical mask is the second-best option. Single-layer cloths masks are borderline useless and should be avoided if possible.

How long does an N95 mast last?

4. Give Everyone Else a Better Mask

If you have enough supply, everyone else in your family/household should wear an N95 when indoors as well. Even if you’re locked in your room. If you’re spewing out 95% less particles, and your family is breathing in 95% less particles, then it will be almost impossible for them to get infected.

Face shields and goggles have also been found to reduce the spread of Covid-19. If a family member must enter the room with you, make sure they’re wearing eye protection.

5. Maximize Ventilation

Whoever has Omicron should be isolating away from the rest of the family. In this room (as well as other rooms) you’ll want to install an air purifier with a HEPA filter. If you can’t find one, or it’s too expensive, then open a window. You want to get as much air circulation as possible. Even if it’s cold outside. Open the window as much as you can and wear your winter gear. Aiming a fan at the window will further increase air circulation.

Your thermostat has a fan setting. Most people leave this on auto. Now is the time to set it to the max. Have someone bring you a MERV HVAC filter that’s rated at least MERV-13. This will give you hospital-quality air. Different countries have different rating systems, so double-check that your filter can protect you against viruses.

6. Raise Humidity Levels

Keeping the humidity in a room near 60% can help the body fight off infection. Running the shower isn’t going to cut it. The humidity generated from a hot shower fades quickly. Humidifiers are cheap. Get one with a large tank so you have to take less trips to the tap.

7. Monitor Oxygen Saturation Levels

Your Fitbit might be able to do this, but if you don’t have a smart wearable, you can always buy a pulse oximeter. These can be found online or at almost any pharmacy. (They are cheap. $10-$20.) A pulse oximeter tests your blood oxygen levels.

Someone who is healthy will have a blood oxygen level of between 95 to 100%. Call a doctor if it gets below 95%. Seek medical attention if it keeps dropping. 90% would be very dangerous.

Note: These numbers can fluctuate. Walk around a bit. Breathe in, breathe out. What you’re looking for is a sustained drop below 95%. That’s when you should be concerned. Pulse oximeters can sometimes show a temporary drop but recover quickly.

8. Monitor Your Symptoms

Most people’s Omicron experience ranges from a cold to flu-like. Unless you’re very old, very young, or immunocompromised, it’s likely that this ordeal will be over within 10 days. But if you’re not getting better, or you experience difficulty breathing, loss of speech or mobility, confusion, or chest pain, call a doctor.

Your job for the next 10 days is to rest, relax, and don’t do anything too strenuous. Some people have reported feeling better by day five, but then worse by day eight. Just because you’re feeling good and you’re bored in isolation, doesn’t mean you should exercise. Avoid the heavy weights. Your muscles probably need some downtime anyway. This is not the time to push your body to the brink. This is the time to binge watch a TV show.

You can beat this thing

Rest, circulate the air, and avoid others. Keep people updated on your condition. If possible, get tested after 10-14 days to make sure it’s gone. Covid-19 can linger in some people. Best to be safe.

Omicron is spreading at a phenomenal rate. But we will get through this. If you have any additional tips, please comment below, or hit me up on Twitter. I’ll add them to the list.