Coronavirus: Astronaut who spent 665 days in space gives advice on getting through isolation

Peggy Whitson urges people to remember that quaranting saves lives in a pandemic

As millions of people across the world self-isolate, an astronaut who spent a cumulative 665 days in space has been advising the public on how to survive in quarantine. Peggy Whitson, who holds the US record for days spent in space, imparted some “expeditionary crew skills” on CBS This Morning.

She suggested making task lists of things you never gave time to but always wanted to do, like reading more, making art, or writing poetry. To people sheltered with others, she recommended communicating clearly with those around you.

"We always have these ideas that we think we're communicating," Ms Whitson said. "We have to make sure that that's actually our intent that's hidden in our head is actually being communicated."

Another piece of advice she gave was to recognise the higher purpose of physically distancing from others.

"Recognising that the team purpose is the most important," Ms Whitson said. "And Covid-19 gives us a higher purpose, much like being in space does, because we are saving lives by quarantining.

"So it is important to understand that bigger purpose and to embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing to put up with the situation."

She also had advice for parents who will be balancing a series of responsibilities.

"A lot of people are trying to work from home and trying to be parents from home and have a family at home and so it becomes very challenging.

"But that's just like what we did on board the International Space Station. Our space station crew became our family in orbit and we had to not only work with them all throughout the day, but we couldn't go home at night. We stayed there on board the station and had to interact as well."

Ms Whitson said interpersonal skills were something that could be improved.

She said: "We actually train our astronauts to improve those skills because we want everyone to play well with others on board the space station. You don't get to pick your crew, you're just going to be up there and you have to make the best of whatever situation.

"Our lives depend on each other, so it's important."