The Differences Between Quarantine and Isolation

People who are "just living their lives" and not bothered by issues until they are staring them in the face, may not understand the differences between the terms Quarantine Vs. Isolation. These terms are being used frequently in association with the current coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreak.

I know the status of knowledge — because I was "the average citizen," back in the day. The same goes for the differences between weather warnings, "watch and warning." It took a bit for me to get those straight in my mind when I joined the ranks of emergency managers. And if you follow the link there are different criteria for different weather hazards. 

I live about 40 miles, as the crow flies, from Mount Rainier, the most dangerous volcano in North America. Did you know there are volcanic alert levels?

Then, should you care, there are tsunami alerts that have specific meanings.

We cannot assume that people, let alone non-English speakers, have much of any knowledge of the terms "quarantine" and "isolation." Isolation might sound a lot like "detention" to people — which could cause another significant reaction in some populations of people.