The novel coronavirus, also referred to as the COVID-19 pandemic, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020.
Acute respiratory syndrome continues to be a burden to the world and has claimed close to 3 million confirmed lives to date. This makes it rank among the deadliest pandemics in the history of the world.
A cure is yet to be found, and we are living in very uncertain times. It is important to be prepared for whatever preventive and remedial measures may need to be taken to curb the virus.
This brings about the need for a Coronavirus survival kit. Below are some essentials we feel you will need to survive the virus that should be part of the kit.
These items will keep you safe from the virus when you come in close contact with it. Often you won’t be able to tell if you are close to an infected person.
Sometimes you may need to take care of a loved one who is infected, or someone who lives in your block gets infected.
Face shields are designed to cover the face and protect you from droplets while making it hard to touch your face with contaminated hands and accidentally infect yourself.
TCP Global currently has a great deal in a pack of 10 Salon World Safety Face Shields at an affordable price. Their design can accommodate your regular eyeglasses underneath.
They are worn on your nose bridge and over your ears like you would wear glasses, so they are easy to remove without further contamination.
They provide respiratory protection by covering your nose and mouth, acting as a barrier to contaminants in the air you breathe.
They also protect other people from air and surface contamination that may be caused by your breathing, sneezing, coughing, and talking.
Remember, you may be hosting the virus and not be aware of it. For this reason, face masks are mandatory in most public places and are even enforceable by the authorities and make a great addition to your emergency kit.
You can include them in your coronavirus survival kit in three ways: get reusable masks, disposable masks, or a combination of both.
Have a few reusable facemasks because panic buying can deplete resources before they can be replaced, and production may be affected by factory closures and lockdowns.
They are washable, after which you can use them again. A couple of sh083-20nts will take you a long way.
The Halo Life face mask with a replaceable nanofiber filter is our recommendation for the day. It is highly breathable and can be worn for extended periods of time. Its nanotechnology filter made of water-resistant material is designed to capture all airborne pollutants.
Disposable masks are less tedious because you get rid of them once done. They will eventually run out, and you can never be too sure of future availability. To get your money’s worth, be on the lookout for deals that enable you to purchase many at once.
Pure Gem’s Disposable Protective Masks have packs of 50 masks sold in batches from a minimum of 50 up to 2000. They are a great addition to your kit.
These prevent you from having direct contact with contaminants and contaminated surfaces. They should be used once and properly disposed of afterward. Their cuffs should be long, reaching from above the wrist to mid-forearm.
Products like the Medpride Medical Examination Vinyl Gloves, which come in packs of 100, will take care of your glove needs for a long time.
A hand sanitizer will get rid of any contamination your hands may pick from contaminated surfaces. They are the most active parts of your body that come into contact with most foreign surfaces and your face. The CDC recommends sanitizers with between 60 to 95% alcohol content.
We like the Germ-X moisturizing hand sanitizer for this purpose because it is sold in packs of 12, 24, and 48 at an affordable price. It also comes in different sizes: 2,3,8 and 32 fluid ounces, which you can mix up; use the larger ones at home and the smaller ones outside. Everyone gets their own bottle.
Coronavirus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces. These include everything from fabric, walls, tables, other people, phones, bedding, and the list goes on.
To reduce the chances of this mode of transmission, surfaces should be consistently cleaned. This becomes more urgent if you are nursing a victim on the premises.
Note that being asymptomatic does not mean you can’t contaminate the environment. Regular cleaning is therefore necessary throughout this COVID-19 period, no matter the circumstances. You need to stock up on cleaning supplies.
It is always possible to make your own disinfecting solution using bleach and water solutions. Ensure the bleach is not expired, though, as it breaks down and will no longer be effective.
Alternatively, add specially formulated surface cleaners like Diversey’s Virex All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner to your survival kit, and you will be good to go.
In addition to cleaning supplies, you should also think about stocking up on toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, feminine hygiene products, disinfectant wipes, soap, laundry detergent, and extra batteries.
If you have any underlying conditions, ensure that you stock up on your prescription medication and confirm their expiry dates. Essentials such as insulin should be replenished.
Other medications to be considered are coronavirus-specific. So far, they are only for pain reduction and symptom management. Stock up on painkillers, cough syrup, and cold medicines that address the most common symptoms.
These are critical for monitoring vitals if you already have the virus and are on your way to recovery and checking if you might develop symptoms.
We recommend a thermometer for checking temperature levels and a pulse oximeter used to measure your blood oxygen levels.
iHealth’s PT3 No-Touch Forehead Thermometer is great for a Coronavirus survival kit because it does not require contact to measure the temperature. You can do it without exposing yourself or the gadget to contamination.
For the short term, you can stock up on food that lasts at least three weeks without turning rancid. Focus on non perishable food like grains and legumes and an assortment of canned food to supplement them. Canned soup and peanut butter are a couple more great choices.
Should anyone get infected, the standard is to isolate and quarantine from the rest of the community for at least ten days according to health officials.
This is monitored and enforced by health authorities in some areas, and you may get stuck in your residence for this entire period, so having a sufficient food supply is critical.
We are also constantly facing the possibility of total lockdown if the rates of infections spike. This may lead to panic buying and an associated acute food shortage with no timeline. It is important to have long-term survival foods in stock as well. You can check out our guide on buying survival foods for more information.
Stock your coronavirus survival kit with established brand names. Avoid opportunistic vendors out to take advantage of the situation. Start early, so you are not rushed when the need is dire. Survival preparedness is key to outlasting this pandemic.
As someone who loves to experiment with food and explore different culinary techniques, freezing has…
One of the key tenets of my new publication Continually Better is to help others…
For what seems like the umpteenth time, the imminent demise of crypto has been predicted…
The human body is a remarkable machine, capable of adapting to extreme conditions.One such condition…
Japan, a country known for its rich culture, advanced technology, and beautiful landscapes, has become…
As wildfires become more frequent and intense, people are searching for ways to protect themselves…