Recover & Stay Out of Circulation

The goal of staying out of circulation is to give ill individuals the space and time to recover, while also protecting others from exposure to illness. Anyone with flu-like illness should get out (and stay out) of circulation as soon as symptoms arise. 

Sick people should stay at home and away from other people. 

• No work  
• No classes, labs, libraries
• No dining halls or restaurants
• No extracurricular activities 
• No social gatherings and events
• No public transportation

They should stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Fever should be absent without the use of fever-reducing medicines. (High temperature is linked with higher amounts of virus, so people with a fever are typically more contagious than those without it.) A cough may linger, but is not considered reason to stay out of circulation. Going back to work or class too soon also puts a person at risk of a setback in recovery or worsening illness.  

If a sick person must leave home for medical care or other necessities, please:

• wear a surgical mask
• keep a distance (6 feet) from others 
• be very attentive to covering coughs and sneezes
• put tissues in the trash

What would you do if you got the flu?

While everyone hopes they will be able to avoid infection with the flu, it's wise to understand Cornell's approach to "isolation" and to plan now for what you might do if you were to get the flu.

Students: It's likely you would stay in your room, unless you need medical observation. So, think about your other options.

• Could a family member come and get you so that you could recover at home? 
• Perhaps a nearby friend or family member can offer a quiet space for you to recover? 
• If you stay in your room (in a residence hall, house, apartment, who do you know who could bring food, drinks, and other supplies?
• Would your roommate be more comfortable staying with a friend for a few days or in another facility? or could you arrange your room so you can be at least 6 feet apart at all times?

If you make plans that involve recovering elsewhere, you would need to avoid public transportation and arrange for personal transport to get you to where you would like to go so that others are not exposed. 

What about masks?

Sick persons living in close proximity to others should wear a mask when they are near others (within 6 feet). If you are sick with the flu and live alone, it is not necessary to wear a surgical mask unless leaving your home for medical car or other necessities. (See the Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use, provided by the CDC.)

It is not recommended that healthy people wear a mask in order to protect themselves from flu viruses, unless they must be close to someone who is sick who cannot wear a mask.