After more than a month in coronavirus quarantine, KHTS Co-owner Carl Goldman is offering Santa Clarita Valley residents some advice on what not to do during their quarantines.

Back In The States With The Coronavirus – DAY 46 (Saturday)

I now carry the record for being the longest American in quarantine with the coronavirus, COVID-19. I’m on day 46. We have a 30-day quarantine in California, so I might not make it out of quarantine before the prolonged July 15 tax season arrives.

I am quarantined yet again in my home in Santa Clarita, California, free of virus. This is my fourth quarantine environment. I was a passenger on the Diamond Princess, docked in Yokohama, Japan. My wife and I spent Valentine’s day together in our cabin. The only reason our 29-year marriage survived was because our good friends Mark and Jerri Jorgensen were in the cabin next to us. Our shared balcony door allowed us to visit frequently.

When I came down with the virus, I celebrated my 67-birthday alone in a biocontainment room at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. A piece of cheesecake with an unwrapped candle was delivered to me by my nurse wearing a hazmat suit. My medical team sang a virtual Happy Birthday via a two-way television screen. Go figure.

After 10-days in biocontainment, my condition was downgraded. I was moved to a lower level of care still on the Nebraska Medicine campus.

On day 41 of my quarantine, 29 days after testing positive for the virus, I had rid myself of the novel corona virus, COVID-19. Last Monday, I was flown back to my home in California. My fourth quarantined location.

Like most men, any wisdom I gain takes numerous repetitions of making the same mistake over-and-over again. Wisdom finally arrives through a combination of osmosis and my wife, Jeri repeatedly drilling helpful tips. Jeri does an awesome job highlighting the things I need to improve on. Often, I tune out her useful suggestions, like zoning when I listen to a Gregorian chant.

So, what does all this have to do with surviving quarantine? Throughout my now 46 quarantine days I’ve discovered through trial and error many things I shouldn’t be doing while in quarantine. Here’s my list. However, unlike David Letterman it’s not in any order.

1. I shouldn’t wear my Philadelphia Eagles pajamas while being interviewed on CBS’ “60-Minutes”. 

Waking up in the morning, shaving, taking a shower and putting on my Philadelphia Eagles sweatpants, cap, sweater and Carson Wentz socks is preferable. I established a daily routine. I wake up early. Make my bed, shower. I catch up on emails, write my journal and check the news. Now that I’m quarantined at home, feeding my dogs and cleaning up their poop has been added to my daily routine list.

2. Worrying about the results of the Iowa caucus is helping my body recover. 

Dwelling on the past and worrying about the future adds to my stress. Stress is the worst enemy of my immune system. My predicament is out of my control. So is being quarantined for 46-days. So is the Iowa caucus. Make lemonade out of lemons.

3. Keeping the cable news channels on 24/7 keeps me better informed.

Wrong. Just the opposite. This is coming from a media guy who owns a radio station. Turn it off. Checking in three times a day for a half an hour at a time is more than enough.

4. If I read it on social media, it must be true.

Duh! This is coming from a guy who believed Paul really might be dead long before social media was around. If you’re too young to remember that gigantic Beatles conspiracy theory, Google it.

Limit your access to social media. A few times a day to catch the latest coronavirus joke and to respond to your second cousin’s post is more than enough.

5. Procrastination is my best friend.

I am the procrastinating Emperor of California. Taxes, accounting, SBA loan paperwork, sorting through the mounds of papers piled on my desk. My wife leaves no opportunity to remind me of all the things now added to my honey-do list. Yikes! Get me out of here.

Quarantine is the perfect opportunity to tackle projects long put off. Creating a scrapbook of old family photos or scanning to convert them to digital, cleaning out the garage, gardening, reading. The possibilities are endless, especially after my tax paperwork is complete.

6. Stuffing my emotions is a standard guy thing.

Finding an outlet to share feelings or just releasing emotions is therapeutic. Bottling up even the little fears and concerns builds up inside. For me, writing and talking to friends and family is helpful. Many in quarantine, including my wife find drawing therapeutic. If you have young kids at home, artwork can be a tremendous release. Just don’t use toilet paper when cleaning up their mess.

7. Listening to music adds to my stress.

Just the reverse. Music reduced my stress. My wife, Jeri dances to Savannah Burrow’s music every morning. My dancing skills are only surpassed by my miserable singing abilities.

I love Savannah’s music. I listened every day when I was alone in quarantine because it connected me to home.  We’ve been guiding her career since she was in Junior High. Now she’s a rising star in Nashville.

Savannah will be opening for the classic group, Blood, Sweat & Tears for three nights at the end of May in Southern California, including the Canyon Club in Santa Clarita. I just relistened to BS&T’s “Spinning Wheel” album. It remains a classic.

Let’s support Savannah by following her on Instagram or check her website to enjoy her talents.

8. Competing for the couch potato state championship is a goal of mine.

During my entire quarantine, even during the first few days in the biocontainment room battling the coronavirus, COVID-19, I always exercised. I’d walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, hitting the wall of my small, isolated room every seven steps. You do the math.

When I moved to a lower level of care, I added the stationary bicycle to my routine. At ho.

I walk around my house and backyard when talking on the phone, making sure the grass is clear of any deposits before venturing on it.

9. Fighting over the remote control is a terrific asset for my marriage.

The Hallmark channel is now playing their Christmas movies 24/7. I’ve surrendered. Need I say more?

Quarantine can be whatever I make it. I chose to see the glass half full. The Jorgensens’, Jeri and I have made lemonade out of lemons.

My wife sees our quarantine as a gift. I probably need a few more weeks for me to see it through her lens.

We can all get through this. When we do, we as individuals and our nation will rebound quickly. We will be stronger and wiser.

I have beaten the virus. It’s been a memorable journey that hasn’t yet found an ending.

As I walk my daily 10,000 steps, I am enjoying watching the buds opening on the trees in our backyard, and I have a smile on my face as I clean up the dog poop.

Read All Of Carl’s Journals Here: Carl Goldman Coronavirus Journals

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.