Coronavirus Is Coming, Here's How To Prepare For It

With more than 80,000 officially reported and confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths around the world, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are warning Americans to prepare for the inevitable outbreak of this global virus in their own communities.

According to the CDC, "Global efforts at this time are focused concurrently on containing spread of this virus and mitigating the impact of this virus. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat."

But what does that preparation look like? As the familiar refrain of "not if, but when" is the soundbite on repeat in news outlets across the country, so much can feel outside the control of the typical American family's day-to-day life.

Here, then, are 5 things you can do to prepare for a contagion flu like Coronavirus.

1. Tend to the Medicine Cabinet

Stock up on treatment supplies so you can be sure to have plenty of medicine and relieving remedies should the virus find its way to you. This is everything from soothing hot tea and saltine crackers to decongestants, cough drops, pain relievers/fever reducers, and other remedies that generally help one suffer through a typical season of the flu a little more comfortably. If you have kids, Pedialyte is also a good idea. Contrary to popular belief, many health departments are saying face masks aren't necessary.

2. Stock the Freezer and Pantry

Ready your household for quarantine. The CDC recommends that should you think you have the virus, to self-quarantine for more than two weeks. This means you need a good supply of food, medicine (see step 1), water, communication technology (i.e. bring your computer charger home from work every day), and good air filters. Should you or someone in your family fall ill, it's freezer veggies and canned beans season.

3. Know What Your Community is Doing

Inquire after contingency plans and outbreak/quarantine response strategies from your work, schools, daycares, churches, neighborhood councils and other communities you participate in. Get on the same page, figure out phone trees, know what the tipping points are and what they're doing to keep their staff, students and congregants safe.

4. Don't Visit the Doc for Manageable Symptoms

Stay home if you are sick and if you have manageable symptoms to avoid clogging up medical facilities and crowding around other potentially infected patients. Since the coronavirus spreads through community transmission it's important, if you're sick, to stay home if you can. The CDC recommends to see a doctor if you have trouble breathing, but otherwise crowded doctor offices are prime locations to unintentionally spread the infection, or to get infected yourself.

5. Keep Clean and Wash Those Hands

Routinely clean hands and hard surfaces to keep the spreading of germs down. Stock up on hand sanitizer, good cleaning supplies, and bleach wipes. As we always hear but need to be sure not to tune out, wash hands frequently, but particularly after returning from being anywhere in public. Avoid shaking hands with folks in large, communal gatherings like church. In fact, it may be wise to worship from home for the time being to be abundantly cautious.

Calm Preparation and Community Awareness

There are two things that go hand-in-hand when it comes to the inevitable outbreak: Don't panic, do prepare. It matters that we prepare our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities in a way that is smart, calm, and diligent.

Stay in contact with your neighbors, friends and family. With outbreaks, collective fear can fuel a national reaction that can affect the stock market, the workplace, and more. It may be a good idea to take an opportunity to assess your financial situation, make emergency plans, and corral your resources. But it's equally important not to feed into the panic that can cause widespread shock waves that can often have more of an impact on everyday life than the virus itself.

For more information, visit the CDC webpage on the virus, and stay informed. This article from NPR is also full of great common sense preparation ideas and sensible mentalities to embrace. Let's prepare ourselves and watch out for each other.