Table of Contents
The World Health Organization has declared Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, which means that it is reasonable to expect the number of cases to increase worldwide. Make sure you are prepared to face the consequences of the coronavirus with these steps and a list of things you need.
Things you need to prepare for the coronavirus (COVID-19)
It is important to have enough supplements and to be prepared because the coronavirus could cause a disruption in the production chain (because many of the basic products are made in China). In extreme cases, the government could declare a mandatory quarantine, which could cause a shortage of essential products.
EYE: You don’t need to panic, but it is very important to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
These are some products that you will need if you want to be prepared for the coronavirus. We recommend you stock up with enough products for consumption between 14 to 30 days:
1. Food and water
You should have foods that don’t need to be in the fridge and that can stay on the shelf for a long time, such as:
- Canned goods: canned beans, soups, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, canned juices
- Condiments and sauces: ketchup, butter, pasta sauce.
- Dry products: rice, pasta, beans, cereals and instant puree.
- Drinks: coffee, tea, juices, coconut water and other drinks that you enjoy.
- Milk and milk alternatives, especially powdered milk or canned milk. Remember that coconut, soy, rice or almond milk can last up to a month.
- Cereals: instant oatmeal (like Quaker ) or your favorite cereal.
- Snacks – Chips, protein bars, candy, nuts, and nuts help pass the time while watching Netflix or reading a book.
- Frozen Juice Concentrate: While frozen, these last much longer than regular ready juices.
- Frozen Foods: Frozen meats, fruits, and vegetables can be a nutritious and welcome addition to meals prepared with products from the pantry.
- Prepared Meals: Frozen, reheated, and edible foods like frozen pizza or prepared meals (like Healthy Choice ) can save you from a rush.
- Frozen treats: ice cream and other frozen treats
- Do not forget baby food and pet food
If you can’t go to the supermarket to buy these supplies or are worried about increasing your exposure to coronavirus, remember that you can use food delivery services like Shipt or Amazon Fresh.
2. Foods you would eat in case of illness
In case you have symptoms of coronavirus, it will be very important to stay isolated. You will need products like:
- Soup
- Crackers or crackers
- Liquid to stay hydrated ( Gatorade, Powerade, Pedialyte )
- Jelly, to keep you hydrated ( Jello )
3. Hygiene items
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises washing your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with hot soapy water to help prevent contraction and spread of the coronavirus.
With that said, you need to make sure you have the proper grooming and hygiene supplies:
- Gel alcohol
- Disposable antibacterial towels (such as Lysol wipes, SOLIMO from Amazon, or Tub O Towels. Remember to clean your cell phone frequently)
- Disposable gloves: to protect your hands from strong cleaning products, or if you are caring for a sick family member. The gloves Industrial nitrile are the most recommended.
- Paper towel (Amazon still has the Presto! Paper towel in stock)
- Toilet paper ( Charmin Ultra Strong has a good price on Amazon)
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Hand soap (not required to be antibacterial)
- Spray disinfectant (such as Lysol )
- Disinfectant cleaner for floors, walls and bathrooms (if you can’t find them in nearby stores, remember that you can also find them at Home Depot or Lowe’s).
- Dishes soap
- Chlorine / Bleach (if cleaning supplies are short, use a five-gallon cup of bleach to clean the house)
- Tissues (such as Ultra Soft Puffs or Kleenex Everyday )
- Disposable razors and shaving cream
- Sanitary napkins / tampons: You need to make sure you have enough for a use of at least 14 days.
NOTE: Alcohol gel or hand sanitizer gel is quite difficult to come by these days. If you will not leave home or prefer to isolate yourself, you will not need disinfectant gel, since you can wash your hands with soap and water at home, which will be more effective than hand sanitizer.
The only time you should trust your hand sanitizer is in situations where soap and water are not available, such as after a trip on public transportation or when leaving for work.
If you can’t find a hand sanitizer, you can make your own with a mixture of 2/3 of isopropyl alcohol (99% rubbing alcohol) and 1/3 of aloe vera gel.
4. Medications
- Prescription Drugs: If you use prescription drugs, be sure to keep at least a 30-day supply. The idea is to prepare for a 14-day quarantine and have enough medicine, in case you find it difficult to obtain a new prescription. Remember that some doctors may be saturated with coronavirus patients.
- Medications to reduce fever : such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) or ibuprofen ( Motrin or Advil )
5. Other supplies
- Thermometer: In case of fever, you may need a digital thermometer.
- First Aid Kit: Investing in a well-stocked first aid kit can save you a visit to a saturated doctor if you have only minor injuries.
- Pain and fever relief: High fever is one of the main symptoms that someone who has contracted the coronavirus will present. To be better prepared, make sure you have enough Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin, or other fever reducers.
- Humidifiers: Humidifiers can help alleviate coronavirus symptoms such as a sore throat and cough. A hot steam humidifier like Vicks’ can be used with essential oils or medicinal inhalants for added relief.
Things you DO NOT need to be prepared for the coronavirus
You don’t need to stock up on face masks. Experts say they are not necessary to stay healthy. They are needed by sick patients and the health workers who care for them.
Remember that the idea of preparing for the coronavirus is to avoid a highly infectious virus, it is not the end of the world. For now, there is no reason to believe that a large-scale coronavirus outbreak will impact the water supply, natural gas, or electric light.
It’s reasonable to expect the tap water to keep running, the lights to stay on, and you can continue cooking in your kitchen, as you always have.
So save your money – right now, there’s no need to buy large quantities of bottled drinking water (unless it’s something you regularly drink at home), buy gas grills for cooking without light, or buy a generator to keep the lights and the refrigerator running.
Nor is it necessary to buy dehydrated and prepackaged military-style meals as if you were camping or taking refuge in a bunker. It is reasonable to expect that the freezer, microwave oven and stove will continue to work, so extreme measures are unnecessary.
Apart from the social distancing that the prevention of more coronavirus cases will cause, your life should continue as always.
How to prepare for the coronavirus?
By obtaining the aforementioned products, you will be better prepared for the possibility of a quarantine and you will be well stocked for the shortages that the coronavirus will probably cause. We also advise:
1. Buy soap and disinfectants
Health experts widely agree that frequent hand washing is the most effective way to avoid getting COVID-19. Therefore, you need to make sure you have a healthy supply of soap.
A simple bar soap to wash your hands regularly is enough, but remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. So don’t stress if you can’t find an antibacterial hand soap.
Remember that the virus can also survive on surfaces for more than a week, so disinfectant wipes can be helpful. The cleaning products based bleach and ethanol may be best to remove viruses from surfaces.
It is also not necessary to accumulate disinfectants, since this contributes to the shortage. One or two jars will suffice.
2. Don’t buy masks
If you are healthy, you probably don’t need to buy masks. For starters, they won’t be very effective in preventing you from getting sick. Surgical masks are thin and have spaces through the sides where germs can easily enter.
Masks are primarily useful for people who are already sick to help limit the number of respiratory drops that are expelled into the air when coughing or sneezing.
But if people continue to buy the masks, there will continue to be a shortage, and the people who really need the masks, the sick and the healthcare providers, will not have them.
3.Buy frozen and canned food that won’t spoil
You don’t need to stock up like it’s the end of the world, but stay on top of what you have to make sure you don’t run out of products if you stay home sick for a couple of weeks. Grocery stores will still be open, and you can always ask a friend or neighbor to bring supplies if they run out.
4. Having medications
Monitoring medications is crucial. Pain relievers, fever medicine, and decongestants are recommended to help alleviate possible milder symptoms of COVID-19.
Make sure you have a 30 or 90 day supply of critical medications. Instead of waiting until the last minute to order more prescription drugs, order them early enough.
People who have an underlying condition, such as lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes, need to be even more vigilant to protect themselves. The coronavirus is usually more severe in people with respiratory health conditions.
5. Check your work and schools
School and job closings may increase in communities where contagion is greatest. You must be aware of your children’s schools and that your workplace remains open.
More and more companies are closing (such as Disney, famous for never closing their parks) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Others will continue to evaluate their work-from-home policies, as people must be quarantined if they catch the virus.
6. Pay attention to local news
The most important thing is to be up to date with what is happening in your community. If there are new cases of coronavirus in your community, it will be important to be informed.
If there are cases of coronavirus near you, remember to stay calm and not panic. Listen to the guidance of local government and public health officials.
In the meantime, you can prepare yourself with the necessary products and by practicing healthy hygiene habits as you would during any cold or flu season.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. And remember, some people who transmit COVID-19 may have no symptoms, so washing hands and cleaning surfaces can be very helpful.
What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus?
If you have COVID-19 or suspect you have the virus, you should seek medical attention immediately.
You have several options for obtaining medical care, including being seen by your primary doctor. Before your visit, it is advisable to notify your doctor first so that they take the necessary measures before your visit. This way you can protect others from possible exposure to the coronavirus.
Some health care providers also offer virtual visits via cell phone or computer, so you may not have to leave home for an initial evaluation.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Let the operator know that you have COVID-19 or that you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus that causes it.
We hope that this guide helps you to be better prepared for the difficulties that the coronavirus can cause and you can stock up on essential products. If you have questions or suggestions about what to buy and how to be prepared for the COVID-19, leave us a comment below and we will do our best to answer your questions.