What to buy for your home emergency kit if you're quarantined during the coronavirus outbreak
The World Health Organization has hesitated to officially label the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, but some health experts say that it is.
The US Department of Homeland Security recommends stocking up enough food and water for two weeks before a pandemic strikes.
Dry goods like rice, pasta, beans, and oats should be the foundation of your stockpile, Alyssa Pike, a registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council, recently told Business Insider.
You should also stock up on canned foods that contain liquid, such as tomatoes, beans, and tuna, according to Pike. The excess liquid can be used to cook dried food like rice and pasta. (Make sure you have a can opener.)
And don't neglect comforting food items like chocolate and coffee, even if they're not strictly essential. As Business Insider recently reported, such items can make a big difference in your mental health and morale during a home quarantine.
If your water is untreated, you will want to buy water-purification tablets and personal water filters to make it safe to drink, as The Oregonian reported.
It may sound simple, but regular and thorough handwashing is one of the best and easiest ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus, according to the CDC.
So remember to include antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer in your home quarantine kit.
Don't forget hygiene items such as toilet paper, tissues, feminine-care products, and diapers if you have small children in the household.
Marguerite Neill, an infectious-disease expert at Brown University, told The New York Times that people should have at least a 30-day supply of their medications.
While many prescription drugs have quantity limits, you can ask your doctor to help you submit an exception form.
You should have an at-home first aid kit to treat common injuries, including cuts, scrapes, swelling, sprains, strains and more, the American Red Cross recommends.
This kit should include things like antibiotic ointment packs, gauze, bandages, thermometers, scissors, tweezers, and an emergency blanket.
If someone in your home uses a hearing aid, for example, the American Red Cross advises stocking up on extra batteries.
Other miscellaneous medical supplies might include glasses, contact lenses, or syringes.
Over-the-counter medicines you may want to have on hand include pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, vitamins, and fluids that contain electrolytes, according to the American Red Cross.
Federal authorities are advising Americans to skip the face masks, however, as they're not effective or necessary for the general public. The CDC recommends masks only for select groups: people in a region experiencing an outbreak, healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients, and anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms.
Again, the novel coronavirus has not yet officially been called a pandemic.
But in the event it becomes one, the Department of Homeland Security recommends getting copies and maintaining electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.
Some people under home quarantine told the Associated Press that they'd taken the opportunity to binge Netflix shows and read some books.
In the case of a home quarantine, your mental health should also be taken into account.
Make sure to have entertainment items on hand such as books, board games, and card games. The Red Cross suggests games and activities for children.
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