Prepping Your Home for Coronavirus COVID-19

I want to make this post leaning towards the humorous side of things.  Although if I die from COVID-19 it probably won't be too funny after all.  My family will grieve and say things through snot like: 'But she had enough disinfectant spray, chicken noodle soup mixes, canned icing and flakies.  What went wrong?'.

Look, I'm like you I suppose.  I don't know if I truly trust what we are hearing.  Is there a fear of creating panic around the world by leaders who are remaining blase about the impending doom? I mean if there was a group Oscar award for medical officials acting calm, they'd win.  Is the stock market and the economy more important than transparency and truth?  At times I feel obsessive and neurotic and full of (unnecessary?) worry.  Hey, they don't call me 'Safety Patrol' for nothing!

The man who lives in the big white house maintains this virus is no worse than the common cold.  Okay. So why are countries shuttering their public spaces and asking families to stay home?

I like to think that I am informed and smart enough to listen to scientific experts on this health topic.  In doing so I woke up this morning and checked our provincial website which is updated daily at 10:30 am.  Then I decided. Well. Why not make a list of things we might want to have on hand should the government ask me to stay home for a few weeks?  I'm sharing my list here with you today!

Also.  Just slightly off topic. How the heck can they build a hospital in China for 1000 patients in 7 days. And why are they busy building 19 more?

Avoid kissing and hugging too much!
Wash your hands a lot.
Cough or sneeze into arm. (Duh. Now we have laundry to do!)
Stay 3 feet away from others. (good way to avoid kissing and hugging)
Clean all hard surfaces with germ killing cleaner.
Don't take it personally if others call you a fanatical germaphobe!

Watch or listen to the news but only digest items from medical experts!

Here is my list:

To alleviate cabin fever and chaos:

Streaming services (until we lose electricity)
A wind up radio, flashlight, phone charger
Batteries
Books
First aid kit
Body care items
Female items
Duct tape x 10
Plastic drop sheets
Water
Craft & Art supplies
Musical instruments
Camera
Paper plates
Notebook
Pens Pencils
Candles
Matches Lighters
Diapers if required
Baby formula
Baby food
Toilet paper
Pantry dry goods
Canned food
Several can openers
Coffee Tea
Supplements
Meal Replacement Shakes
Cleaning products
Medicines
Hand Sanitizer

Other things to consider:

Have a family planning meeting to discuss this situation
Create an emergency contact list
Start a local community Facebook group for resources, helping one another.
Select a quarantine room for those family members who are not feeling well

For those who want to learn more from a comprehensive (not scary at all eeeee) website:
'The Prepper'

Home checklist summary:

• Water: store 15 gallons of potable water per person (roughly 1 gallon per day) and have ways to treat dirty water via either a portable water filter or Berkey / Brita
• Food: at least 23,000 calories per person (roughly 1,500 calories per day) of shelf-stable food that’s ready to eat or only needs boiling water to make
• Fire: lighters, matches, and backup fire starters
• Light: headlamps, flashlights, candles, lanterns
• Heating and cooling: indoor-safe heaters, extra blankets, USB-powered fan
• Shelter: a cheap tarp (anything you find at a local store) comes in handy for improvised shelter, plugging holes in the house, and clearing debris
• Medical: list of 145 prioritized home medical supplies
• Hygiene: wet wipes, hand sanitizer, camp soap
• Communication: either a one-way NOAA radio or a two-way ham radio (if you know how to use it)
• Power: spare batteries and rechargers (your bug out bag will have a solar charger, but you can also get a second one for home)
• Tools: axe, shovel, work gloves, wrench for your gas lines, zip ties, duct tape, etc.
• Self defense: depends on personal views, may include body armor, firearms, etc.
• Cash: as much as you can reasonably afford to stash
• Mental health: board games, favorite books, headphones, movies downloaded to a tablet, etc.
• Documents: copy of deeds/titles, insurance policies, birth certificates, maps, pictures of family members, etc. in both physical and USB thumb drive forms
• Local & emergency info: write down important contact numbers, know the location of the nearest hospitals, etc.

Finally, if you’re worried about the outbreak or feel unprepared, this guide is for you.

News:
Canadians advised to prepare
Government of Canada Coronavirus site
WHO World Health Organization

12 Tips for Stocking an Emergency Food Pantry

I am an Artist who carries a paintbrush, camera and notebook. Instagram: @pattifriday