Peace, Love & Peanut Butter: Preparing for a COVID-19 outbreak

They say we should prepare for a potential outbreak.
They say we should stock our homes and fridges.

It seems like good advice at this point.

It’s like packing an umbrella for your vacation. If you have it, you won’t need it.

But don’t freak out. Really. There’s no need… yet. Better safe than sorry, right?

But quarantine doesn’t mean isolation. This is important to know. So if you happened to be quarantined, you likely won’t be locked inside your home. During this time it will be important to keep six feet away from others. This shouldn’t stop you from getting outside and getting fresh air. So go for your walks, runs, and soak up that vitamin D. If you happen to live in an area that’s warm, take advantage of the weather - even if it means putting on a sweater or light jacket. Getting outside, in the sunshine can do a lot for one’s morale. If you happen to live in a building, specifically a high rise, in a busy city you may have a specific set of rules.

While you should stock up on food and certain household items, (list to follow) you should know that even in Wuhan, people can still get groceries - taking the necessary measures, and groceries are being delivered to many in large, open spaces like parking lots. So even in a worst case scenario you’ll still be able to eat!

Scroll to the bottom for some FAQs from the CDC.
And remember, as scary as this seems right now, the flu - at present - is much more prevalent and much more dangerous!

If we are indeed quarantined there are things you can do to help keep your sanity and your stress levels low.

If you have hobbies that can be done at home - painting, drawing, writing, needlepoint, knitting - stock up on those items you will want to have on hand.
This is a great time to take advantage of work you will want done around the home. Fix up the guest room, clean out the garage, attic, basement, etc…
Take advantage of this time for Spring Cleaning!
Use the phone, email, texting, facetime and social media to stay in touch with people so you feel less isolated.
If it’s winter where you live stock up on firewood for some cozy fires.
If the weather is warm enjoy the outdoors.
If you can’t get to a gym but want to keep up your regular exercise routine, there should be no reason why you can’t get outside for walks or a run. Take advantage of the many streaming subscription for home from spin to barre and pilates to weight lifting and so much more.
If there are kids at home have plenty of age appropriate board games, craft supplies, books and other activities to keep younger ones occupied.
See what you can do to work from home.
Check in with teachers to see if kids can do some school work at home.
This won’t be the time to heavily limit kids’ screen time, but do be cognizant of those hours.
Take advantage of this time to catch up on those books you’ve wanted to read.
Make a list of those Netflix series you want to check out.
If you’re an aromatherapy enthusiast, make sure you have plenty of oils for your diffuser to keep your home smelling wonderful and relaxing.

It could be worse!
You could be isolated in a snow storm with no heat, power or internet!

Stocking up for a potential outbreak and quarantine

First Aid & Meds -Have at least 2 weeks’ worth

Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Allergy meds, prescription and OTC
Thermometer
Plenty of handwashing soap
An alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as Purell
Band-aids (all sizes)
Antibacterial cream such as Neosporin
Eye drops
Facial tissues (Kleenex)
All prescription meds
Feminine Supplies
Birth Control!

Stocking up your pantry

Peanut Butter
Jelly
Bread
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Cleaning supplies - especially alcohol-based and those that kill germs.
Dish detergent
Dishwasher detergent
Washing machine detergent/dryer sheets
Canned beans
Canned veggies
Assorted Pastas
Assorted Rice
Oats/oatmeal
Soups/Broths/Stocks
Canned tuna and/or salmon
Spices
Assorted condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayo
Olive oils and salad dressings
Nuts
Crackers, cookies, etc
Boxed milk such as Parmalat
Bottled water = 1 gallon per person, per day
Seltzer water
Coffee!
Tea
Hot cocoa
Wine (or your beverage of choice)
Extra batteries for things like remote controls
Lightbulbs

Stocking your Fridge & Freezer

Milk (Oat, organic, soy have longer shelf lives)
Eggs
Cheese - Hard cheeses have a longer shelf life
Butter
Chicken and Meat - these freeze well
Fresh and frozen fruit
Fresh and Frozen vegetables
Frozen meals (Hello Trader Joe’s!)
Apples
Citrus - oranges, clementines, grapefruit
Avocados
Juice
Extra bread in the freezer

And now, a little information about COVID-19 from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
What you need to know.
The facts and nothing but the facts.

The Virus formerly known as Wuhan and Corona is now being referred to as COVID-19

Corona viruses are not a new things, however this strain has not been previously identified, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. Yes, corona viruses have been around and are responsible for the common cold. Patients with COVID-19 need to be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.

Why is the disease causing the outbreak now being called coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19?

On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name is coronavirus disease 2019 - COVID-19 and here’s the breakdown and explanation: In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”

What is the name of the virus causing the outbreak of coronavirus disease starting in 2019?

February 11, 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, charged with naming new viruses, named the novel coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, shortened to SARS-CoV-2. Yes, SARS. As the name indicates, the virus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, however it is not the same virus.

What is the source of COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, only infect animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This, however, is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19.

How does the virus causing Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), spread?

This particular strain, first detected in Wuhan City, China is linked to a live animal market, and now the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum, like the measles, for example. At this moment the CDC doesn’t know how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Can someone who has had COVID-19 spread the illness to others?

We do know that the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person, and that someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread it to others. That is why patients are being isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

How long someone is actively sick seems to vary so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention, control experts, and public health officials so that there can be an understanding the specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.

Patients can be released from isolation when they meet all of the following requirements:

The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.

Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.

Can someone who has been quarantined for COVID-19 spread the illness to others?

Quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness and is usually established for the incubation period of the communicable disease. For COVID-19, the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.

Peace, Love & Peanut Butter: Preparing for a potential COVID-19 outbreak

Medical Information

What are the symptoms and complications that COVID-19 can cause?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever1, cough, and difficulty breathing. Read about COVID-19 Symptoms.

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

If you develop a fever1 and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, you should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your recent travel or close contact.

If you have had close contact2 with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area, you should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your close contact and their recent travel. Your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

How do you test a person for COVID-19?

Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 can be conducted only at CDC (at this time)

State and local health departments who have identified a person under investigation (PUI) will need to notify CDC’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to report the PUI and determine whether testing for COVID-19 at CDC is indicated.

For more information on specimen collection see CDC Information for Laboratories.

Can a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?

Using the CDC-developed diagnostic test, a negative result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in the person’s sample. In the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.

For COVID-19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms likely means that the COVID-19 virus is not causing their current illness.

Prevention

How can I help protect myself?

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. (See below)
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

What should I do if I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

There is information for people who have had close contact with a person confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, COVID-19 available online.

Does CDC recommend the use of facemask in the community to prevent COVID-19?

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).

Peace, Love & Peanut Butter: Preparing for a potential Outbreak