Updated March 10 at 2:50 p.m.
Public health officials are urging residents to prepare for local outbreaks of the new coronavirus.
Health officials have said that though stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizer won’t necessarily protect you from the illness, there are ways to prepare for the spread of the virus, known as COVID-19.
Here are some things that experts say you can do to prepare your home for a possible outbreak:
Will I need to self-isolate?
Only people who are confirmed to have the disease — or those who are suspected of having it and undergoing tests — are being isolated in their homes.
If the disease shows up in your community and begins to spread, you may want to limit your time in public places. If you begin showing symptoms, you’ll want to be prepared to stay home. That’s why experts recommend getting ready in advance.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security emergency preparedness site, Ready.gov, recommends keeping enough supplies to last two weeks, which is how long experts believe the virus incubates.
Should I be stocking up on bottled water?
As the U.S. and global death tolls rise and more confirmed cases emerge, North Texas residents have begun flocking to grocery stores to stockpile food and bottled water.
But according to Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, bottled water shouldn’t top the grocery list.
“I’m not sure why everyone’s buying water,” he said. “We don’t anticipate the water supply to be directly disrupted.”
Instead, Huang recommends buying a few extra shelf-stable items, such as beans, rice and canned goods, to limit trips to the grocery store and better prevent exposure.
“It is not a time to panic, but to prepare,” Huang said. “Don’t go buying everything off the shelf, but maybe get a few extra things every time you go to the store.”
A Nielsen report describes the grocery store rush as the “pandemic pantry,” or an influx in the sales of shelf-stable items. The value of water has risen 5.1% in the last week, while the value of dried beans has increased 10.1%, according to the report.
What about medications and health supplies?
It’s recommended that you check your prescriptions regularly to make sure you have enough on hand. Your insurance provider might be willing to approve an extended supply, NPR reported.
As many as 81% of coronavirus cases have been mild, according to a study published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. So it’s a good idea to keep a supply of items that can help ease symptoms, such as pain relievers, cold medicines and fluids with electrolytes.
Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician with Columbia University Medical Center, told NPR it’s also smart to stock up on sick-bed foods such as soup and crackers.
Should I buy special cleaning products?
The CDC recommends daily cleaning of regularly touched surfaces, such as tables, chairs, doorknobs, toilets and phones, especially if the virus is circulating in your community.
Time magazine reported that most household wipes and disinfectants are proven to work against other known strains of coronavirus, which means they’ll probably work on COVID-19. Health experts have emphasized following the instructions on the labels of cleaning products to ensure their effectiveness.
If someone in your home may have the virus, the CDC recommends cleaning with diluted household bleach, or a mix of water and alcohol that is at least 70% alcohol. The CDC also recommends that you use disposable gloves when cleaning items a sick person has used.
What should I plan to do if I get sick?
If you think you might have the new virus, you should stay home and avoid public areas, with the exception of going to the doctor, according to the CDC. Before visiting a doctor’s office, call ahead so the staff can help you take steps to limit contact with others.
At home, you should wear a face mask, try to stay away from other people or animals, avoid sharing household items and track your symptoms.
What other situations should I plan for?
The CDC recommends making a plan for changes in your workplace, including staying home when sick or working from home. You should also be prepared for schools or child-care facilities to close temporarily.
Have a plan for which room and bathroom sick people will use if they begin showing symptoms. If you can’t dedicate a room or bathroom, you should thoroughly clean and disinfect spaces multiple times a day, according to the CDC.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security website also recommends obtaining the latest copies of medical records for all residents in your home and making a plan for how to care for household members if they get sick.
