How To Prepare For the Coronavirus Outbreak

Right now we are living in a state of pure pandemonium. There is so much information out there and unfortunately the media controls what we want to hear. New information is coming to light every day, every hour, every minute.

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Public events are being canceled and schools across many states have closed. People are in a state of uncertainty.  What I will say, is if you are well, there is not a concern for the virus but fear of the unknown. No one knows how this spread is going to affect our lives.

There is a much bigger picture that needs to be looked at and it’s not Coronavirus. It is the information shared, the statistics and sources of information, the economy as a whole and how this will affect the big picture. This very quickly trickles down to our little corner of the world and the concern for our precious families. It is a very real situation.

This all may subside in a couple of weeks or things may get worse before getting better. In the meantime check out these five tips that will help you prepare for this Coronavirus outbreak.

1. Remain Calm

First and foremost, remain calm and use your common sense. We all know the virus is spreading through droplets, so take extra precautions to wash your hands. Washing with soap and water is best. Try to avoid touching your eyes, face, mouth etc. unless you have clean hands.

2. Stock Up

When I say stock up, let’s be realistic. You do not need to be grabbing more than one of a jumbo pack of toilet paper from Costco. Make smart purchases. Below are some things that are worth your money and good to stock up on. They are mostly non-perishable foods that are made to last with extended expiration dates.

1. Power bars
2. Rice
3. Noodles
4. Oat meal
5. Peanut butter
6. Dried fruits
7. Crackers
8. Canned foods
9. Cleaning supplies/Disinfectant sprays and wipes
10. Toilet paper
11. Paper towels
12. Rags
13. Feminine products
14. Medicine
15. Gatorade
16. Water

The idea here is to purchase foods that either make you full or things that you just need to add water to. The idea behind stocking up on toiletries is the simple fact that, if you contract the virus, you may be quarantined for 14 days.

3. Clean and Sanitize

This includes your home, your car, your possessions and most importantly yourself. Think about the things that collect the most germs. Your cell phones, money, car handles, door handles, your steering wheel, just to name a few. Disinfect regularly to minimize your risk. Keep your hands clean at all times, especially when coming from a public place.

This is common sense for most, but I think we just need to be more vigilant about it. Create a pattern at home with your kids. When you come in the house, wash your hands, before you eat, wash your hands, before bed, wash your hands, OR wash your hands every half hour. Whatever it is, ingrain it more into your everyday lives. You can even make it fun. Stamp their hands or put little marker dots (germ bugs) and if the stamp wears off by the end of the day, then they get a prize.

4. Be Prepared

If you are prepared, you will at the very least feel secure and safe. The inevitable can always happen but at the very least you can say that you have done everything that you can to prevent it and manage it. Follow the guidelines in this article. The CDC also has some very informative links as well. Check out this link for some more information. I also gained some insight on REI’s website as well. They have some great printable checklists to help you prepare for any situation that can affect mass amounts of people.

5. Stay Informed/Educated

This is one of the most important points. Do yourself a favor and do not ONLY listen to the media. Read other reputable sources and pay attention to stats, data and facts. ALL facts. Know where your information is coming from. Follow all mandated guidelines and listen for and follow any new updates on the Coronavirus. This will help you prepare for this coronavirus outbreak.

If you follow the stats, you already know that it is not necessarily the virus that is the scariest thing right now, it’s the way the world is responding to it and what it will do to our economy. Stay strong, stay vigilant, stay calm and stay informed.

Summary

For those that are well, take this time to take a step back from the chaos and running around, and enjoy this time with your family. It’s another reminder to sit back and appreciate everything we have in life and how fortunate we all are. Yes, I will say I even look at toilet paper differently than I once did! All kidding aside, stay safe, remain well and appreciate all you have in life, because in a moments notice, it can be taken away.

This too shall pass….

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