Two state legislators from Jefferson County emerged March 26 from self-quarantine after they came in contact with a fellow state representative who had been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
“With all the terms being used, people have a misconception about what self-quarantine means,” said state Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), who, along with Becky Ruth (R-Festus) were advised to stay at home after state Rep. Joe Runions (D-Grandview) had been hospitalized with the virus.
“Self-quarantine means you’ve been exposed to someone with the virus and you’ve been asked to avoid contact with the public for 14 days (the incubation time for the virus),” she said.
Ruth and Coleman said they were told about Runions’ diagnosis eight days after the last day he was in the state Capitol Building in Jefferson City
“On (March 20), I received a phone call from the Speaker of the House’s office informing me that a state representative had been diagnosed,” Ruth said, “and he (Runions) is the ranking minority leader. I was asked whether I thought I had any direct contact with him, and I did through my work as chairman of the House Transportation Committee. I would have to go to his desk in the chambers to speak about legislation we were working on.”
Coleman said she remembered she had ridden in an elevator with Runions.
Ruth said she was directed to contact local health authorities.
“I then called the Jefferson County Health Department, and let them know about my direct contact,” she said. “I asked questions about what I should do and how I should proceed from there.
“I was told I needed to quarantine myself, that I needed to take my temperature twice daily and fill a log out about my health – like whether I had any symptoms such as coughing, a high temperature, any headaches, basically, whether I was asymptomatic or not,” Ruth said.
Both Ruth and Coleman said they never had any symptoms of the coronavirus.
“I’m fine. My family’s fine,” said Coleman, whose husband Christopher, an accountant, did most of his work from home. They have six children ages 2 to 14.
“They want to go to school,” she said of her children. “They were already on a break when this happened, so they’re wanting to see their friends. So they’ve been disappointed. But they’re feeling just like all the other kids. They’re anxious to get back. It’s hard to explain this to kids. It’s difficult enough to explain it to adults.”
Coleman said she and her family did get out of the house, but not too far.
“It’s not that we didn’t go outside. We took walks. We just tried to stay 6 feet away from everybody,” Coleman said.
“Actually, as it turns out, we just started isolating ourselves just a few days ahead of everyone else,” she said. “And it looked on (March 20) as if it was going to be inevitable with the rest of the area anyway.”
Jefferson County officials issued a “stay at home” order on March 23 that took effect the next day. St. Louis County issued a similar edict that started March 23.
“We just all need to do this together. What we’ve done doesn’t feel substantially different from what our neighbors are doing, what hopefully everyone else is doing,” Coleman said.
She said she continued to work from home, as did Ruth.
“It was basically me just staying at home the whole time,” Ruth said. “Because of technology today, I could continue to do my job as a state representative. I was involved in video conferencing. I took phone calls and answered texts and email messages.”
Ruth’s husband, Don, an electrician, continued to work as usual, she said.
“Because he’s working in an essential industry, he continued to work, but the Health Department told me that he did not have to be in quarantine as long as I remained asymptomatic. The Health Department was fully apprised of our situation.”
While Coleman said her first day out of self-quarantine was not much different than the days preceding it, Ruth said she and her husband celebrated by getting out of the house.
“We took the top off our Jeep and took a drive, just to get out and check on things,” she said. “I never got out of the Jeep. I maintained social distancing. But it was nice to get out of the house and take a short drive and see other people. I saw a lot of people working in their yards, taking a walk or walking their dogs, probably more than I have seen in the recent past. Getting out and getting exercise is important, as long as we’re following the guidelines.”
Both Ruth and Coleman said they were gratified by the support they received while in self-quarantine.
“I had a lot of calls from people checking in on me, seeing whether I needed something dropped off or if they could go to the store for me,” Ruth said. “It was very heartwarming, and I thank all of them.
“This shows me that the humanity is there. People need to step up to help others in these times. This is a new life for everybody right now, and we’re all trying to figure out how to do this life, but we all need to be kind and patient.”
Ruth said she used modern technology to stay connected with her children and grandchildren, but particularly enjoyed a less-than-modern social media method.
“I Facetimed with my grandchildren, which was nice,” she said. “But one day, they came over and stood in front of my living room window and I could talk with them. I couldn’t hug them or touch them, but at least I got to see their faces. That really brightened my day.
“You know, it’s difficult to say that anything positive might come from this, but if there is, it’s probably that families are spending more time together. Everyone’s lives are usually so busy – there are practices and games to take your kids to, other activities for school and church that aren’t going on right now. Because of this, we’re able to take a breath and enjoy each other’s company.”
Coleman said she’s been informed that the prognosis for Runions, 79, looks positive.
“He’s doing very well,” she said. “I’ve been told that he’s been discharged from the hospital and is recovering from home, and all signs are that he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Our prayers have been with him,” Ruth said. “It’s good to hear he’s doing much better.”
Coleman said her family’s experience with the self-quarantine is not unique.
“Everybody’s being asked to do this,” she said. “This (social distancing) is what needs to be done, and that’s how we’re going to stop this. We’re not doing anything extraordinary. We’ve been doing what everybody should be doing. This is not something to be sad about. It’s about listening to the guidelines and doing everything you can to stop this from spreading.”
