You’ll need more than just toilet paper.
Schools are going virtual-only, companies like Google and Facebook are telling employees to work remotely and the immunocompromised population has been advised to stay home.
As confirmed cases in the hit 1,000 and the coronavirus is declared a pandemic, we could all soon be spending more time at home than ever.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current thinking is that the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is low, the rapid spread of the virus in China and Italy suggest that more of us might choose — or be forced to — minimize our time outside of home with a quarantine or extreme social distancing. These are measures designed to prevent the rapid spread of coronavirus and as experts call it, “flatten the curve.”
Social distancing, isolation and quarantine each have different goals, but all of these protocols are designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 (and other communicable diseases).
Here’s what each term means, according to US Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC:
Many US cities, such as Seattle and San Francisco, are already exercising social distancing protocols by canceling community events and, in some cases, closing schools.
But the question many people are asking is: Should I self-quarantine to prevent exposure to COVID-19?
The CDC currently advises all people over the age of 60 as well as the immunocompromised to practice strict social distancing and even suggests they “stay home as much as possible,” but doesn’t advise a full-on self-quarantine. Even still, individuals (like me) who are immunocompromised may choose to self-quarantine or practice some kind of hybrid of social distancing and quarantine while the virus takes hold in their communities.
If the virus becomes as pervasive as some medical experts predict, however, we may all find ourselves in some version of a quarantine (like Italy’s current protocol) or extreme social distancing.
There’s a lot more to preparing for a quarantine than hoarding toilet paper and bottled water. Drawing from the advice of the CDC, HHS, World Health Organization and experts CNET spoke with, this quarantine checklist will get you and your family prepared for spending a lot of time at home.
Note that we aren’t providing exact quantities — that’ll vary depending on the size of your family. Quantities will also be influenced by how much quarantine time you want to be ready for (two weeks is a good minimum, but one month is better).
Finally, note that hoarding and preparation are two very different things — we’re not advocating for emptying Costco’s shelves of toilet paper and those delicious little potstickers. The recommendation to get enough necessary supplies for a potential quarantine.
It needs to be said: if you or any family members have not gotten a flu shot and you’re still healthy, go get one. The flu shot does not prevent people from contracting COVID-19, but it does help in a few important ways.
Getting a flu shot dramatically reduces the likelihood of getting the flu, which means fewer admittances to hospitals, freeing up healthcare providers to address patients with COVID-19 (and other illnesses). By avoiding the flu, you’re also helping your body’s immune system stay strong, so it can fight off other communicable diseases, like COVID-19.
Finally, getting a flu shot is about empathy and responsibility for the community; by reducing your chances of getting the flu, you are especially helping those with weakened immune systems stay healthy and as protected as possible from COVID-19.
Many of us who work an eight-hour workday spend at least that much time outside of our homes. And during that time, we’re relying on our employers or other businesses for essentials like toilet paper and meals.
After you’ve determined the amount of quarantine time you want to prepare for, grab the appropriate quantity of these items, as outlined by Ready.gov. This is certainly not an exhaustive list — your needs will vary depending on the things you rely on every day.
There is no definitive list of food items, but there are some food items that work better than others. You might also want to audit your kitchen toolkit, in case you find yourself prepping more meals from scratch while stuck indoors.
Freezer:
Other:
If you’re lucky enough to continue working remotely, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to work effectively. CNET’s Justin Jaffe compiled this helpful list of work-from-home essentials, including standing desk and monitor recommendations. Also consider some of these best practices, based on my experience working remotely so far:
Losing your routine and being stuck indoors can put a strain on one’s mental health. Here are some things to plan ahead for.
Medical appointments: If you need medical support that doesn’t require immediate admittance, get to know your insurance provider’s telemedicine — or video appointment — services. For instance, my insurance provider supports Doctor on Demand visits for a $10 co-pay. Depending on you or your family members’ needs, the physician can prescribe medications, which you can often choose to have delivered.
Exercise: You don’t need a Peloton to work out at home. Plenty of YouTube channels offer free workout videos and workout apps get you an experience on par with an in-studio class. If you’re feeling ambitious, you might even consider creating a DIY Peloton. Here’s our complete guide to working out at home.
If you’re participating in a quarantine or self-quarantine that doesn’t forbid you from leaving the house, there may be occasions when you’ll go out into the world, such as to get groceries or visit a family member. When you do, follow these tips for avoiding exposure to COVID-19 and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Though the initial response to the novel coronavirus in the US was to go out and buy face masks, officials have since asked the public to stop buying them, unless someone is sick and needs to reduce the chances of transmitting COVID-19 to others. So, no, you don’t need to stock up on face masks — save them for healthcare workers and those who are ill.