'It's not rocket science' — Astronauts offer coronavirus tips to survive social isolation

• Astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have advice on staying home during the coronavirus outbreak.
• Some suggest ways to keep yourself entertained, others share their own experiences of self-isolation.
• NASA astronaut, Anne McClain, believes the best way to keep yourself sane is to adjust your expectations.

Long before the Coronavirus hit the planet, astronauts were the original experts on social isolation and self-quarantine. Now, they’re sharing tips on Twitter on how to keep ‘#EarthStrong’.

Some shared ways to keep oneself entertained, others shared experiences of self-isolation from when they were in space. After all, carrying on in high-risk situations — even when you’re alone — is a part of their training before heading up there.

Now that many non-astronauts are stuck in the situation of having to self-quarantine or work from home, it’s not any easy change to make without the requisite training.

Here’s a list of coronavirus tips that astronauts have shared about how to stay at home, stay entertained and not go crazy:

It’s not rocket science
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent nearly a year in space aboard the ISS from 2015 to 2016, urged people to follow the advice of experts. If it’s rocket science, you ask a rocket scientist. If it’s an infection, you listen to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).


Like other experts, he also encouraged that people need to flatten the curve through social distancing.


Another NASA astronaut, Anne McClain — another veteran of the spaceflight programme — believes the best way to deal with the restlessness is to adjust your own expectations.


Explore space to pass the time
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched an initiative to help keep people entertained at home. You explore past missions and peer through digital telescopes to pass the time.


French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet curated his own guide to surviving the #quartantinelife. According to him, staying at home is the easier and best method of protecting yourself from the Coronavirus.


He’s been posting brain teasers on his account, wishing everyone a ‘Happy Quarantine’ to keep spirits up.


Their experience in isolation
Luca Parmitano, an Italian astronaut with the ESA who recently returned from space on the same spacecraft as Koch, reached out to his fellow Sicilians to talk about he was recently quarantined — and due prepare your time during a time like this.


Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield, also shared his experience of being isolated on St.Patrick’s Day when he was in space from 2012 to 2013.


He also tweeted that the best antidote for the fear and panic that’s being created around the coronavirus outbreak is competence — knowing what to do.


We’re all in this together
NASA astronaut, Jessica Meir, tweeted a photo of Tel Aviv in Israel with the words, “This too shall pass.” She’s been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for almost six months. This is the second time that Meir has tweeted about her father’s Middle Eastern heritage.


In another tweet she shared how astronauts keep glovebags to protect themselves and keep germs out.


Another NASA astronaut, Christina H Koch, who recently returned from space expressed that being stuck at home has made her realise the importance of family and friends.


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