How they survived: SC family who isolated for 2 years has Q&A for stir-crazy families
If anyone knows the importance of — and the secret to — keeping yourself at home to keep your family healthy, it’s the O’Neill family.
As many people are practicing social distancing and staying home to help slow the spread of coronavirus infections, Cara and Glenn O’Neill and their children, Beckham and Eliza, have been there before.
For 726 days straight.
The O’Neill family self-isolated from the outside world for nearly two years, from 2014 to 2016, to give their daughter a chance at life.
At age 4, Eliza was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder called Sanfilippo Syndrome, which often causes death before adulthood. In order to help Eliza qualify for a potentially life-saving gene therapy trial, the O’Neill family cut themselves off from the outside world to keep her from being exposed to a virus that could have derailed her chance to receive the treatment.
In May 2016, Eliza became the first child in the world to participate in that trial.
Eliza is now 10 years old. With the family’s 2-year isolation now long behind them, they are sharing their story and advice for all those who are living in unfamiliar territory amid the growing coronavirus crisis.
Thursday night, Glenn and Cara O’Neill will host a livestream on Facebook in which they’ll share their story of isolation along with ideas and lessons they learned.
“Trying to think of ideas to do with the kids?” the family wrote in an a description of the event on Facebook. “Trying to figure out ‘work-life’ balance during isolation? Navigating your relationship with your significant other through this? Who is doing what?? Feel like you are going stir crazy? Isolation is tough, but there are people who have done it before...for 2 years straight!”
The O’Neills will go live on Facebook at 9 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. You can join their Q&A at this link.
Millions of families across the United States are being asked or ordered to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, and countless others are practicing “social distancing” at the guidance of health and government officials.
The number of coronavirus cases confirmed in South Carolina had reached 424 by Wednesday evening, and the tally is predicted to be more than 8,000 by May — though at least one researcher believes the number of infections will grow much faster, up to 10,000 within the next three weeks.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 11:33 AM.