A lot of toilet paper? Here’s what experts say you need in a coronavirus quarantine
As coronavirus fears grow in the U.S. and case counts continue to rise, questions remain about how to prepare.
Health experts have emphasized that there’s no need to “panic buy” or hoard cleaning supplies or other essentials in your home, but a buying frenzy prompted by concerns over COVID-19 and the possibility of needing to stay home for a while have left some store shelves bare.
So do you really need to stock up on essentials? Here’s what experts have to say.
Gather cleaning and hygiene supplies
It might be a good idea to have some cleaning and hygiene supplies on hand, based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the case of a coronavirus outbreak in your community, the CDC recommends cleaning “frequently touched surfaces and objects” everyday. These include cabinet and door handles, countertops, tables and light switches.
It’s also important to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose or coughing, the CDC says.
If you run out of soap or don’t have access to it, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can be used instead.
Stock your pantries and medicine cabinets
It’s also a good idea to have a “supply of food staples” in your home, other household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom supplies like toilet paper or diapers for small children, the American Red Cross says.
“If you are out and you are at Target or Walmart or at a grocery store and you have the ability to pick up a few things, by all means (do),” Anthony Tornetta, a Red Cross spokesperson told USA Today. “And use those to start building a safety preparedness kit that you can use no matter what the disaster is, whether you have to shelter in place or flee your home,” he said. “Now is the time to prepare.”
Having a 30-day supply of all prescription medications on hand as well as over-the-counter drugs such as pain relievers, cold medicines and “fluids with electrolytes and vitamins” is important, the Red Cross says.
The CDC also recommends having extra medicines and medical supplies on hand in the case of a coronavirus outbreak in your community that requires staying home for “a prolonged period of time.”
Health officials have emphasized that people who are not infected with the virus don’t need to wear or stock up on face masks. Only people who have COVID-19 should wear masks to prevent its spread.
Plan ahead
Having supplies ready isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Stores across the country are facing shortages as people rush to buy supplies despite health officials emphasizing that there’s no need to panic.
In response, some major retailers, including Target, Publix, Wegmans and Kroger have placed limits on how many of some items customers can buy, McClatchy News reports.
But supplies aren’t the only thing health officials say it’s important to have ready.
Households should have a plan in place in the case of an outbreak, and all members of the household should be on the same page, the CDC says.
Getting to know your neighbors or joining local social media pages can be helpful in staying informed, the CDC says. Households should also have an emergency contact list and be aware of aid organizations in the area.
Households with people who are more prone to serious health complications associated with COVID-19 should have a plan for caring for them, according to the CDC.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 3:32 PM with the headline "A lot of toilet paper? Here’s what experts say you need in a coronavirus quarantine."
