Building Your Coronavirus Survival Kit: Do’s And Don’ts

While the world wasn’t ready for this pandemic, there is no excuse for preppers and non-preppers not to build your own coronavirus survival kit.

If you don’t know where or how to start, continue reading below.

Coronavirus Survival Kit | What Should It Have?

Coronavirus is now a global pandemic. It has led to food shortages, panic buying, curfews, and “shelter at home” directives. In some cities and states, nonessential businesses have been forced to close, and restaurants have turned to takeout and delivery to keep their doors open.

This has prompted the question, “How do I prepare for a global pandemic?”

Many Americans emptied the shelves of flu medicines, paper goods, sanitizers and cleaning products, and canned goods, across the country.

Protective masks and gloves are also in short supply, with private use so high that the medical community is left without adequate access.

So what should really be in your coronavirus survival kit?

Yes: Food

Under the WHO’s recommendation (World Health Organization), the general public should be quarantining themselves when possible to minimize exposure.

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses remain open, but ideally, citizens are staying out of stores.

For optimal social distancing, you should forego picking up takeout and grocery shopping for several days each week. This means cooking and eating at home on a regular basis.

Your pantry and refrigerator should be well-stocked with a balanced diet, whether it is fresh, frozen, or canned.

RELATED: How to Make Commercial Grade Hand Sanitizer

Yes: OTC and Prescription Medications

Again, to limit exposure during a pandemic, make sure you have all the necessary medications on hand for two months.

Stock up on cold and flu supplies in your coronavirus survival kit so that if you start to feel symptomatic, you can avoid infecting others.

Tylenol with acetaminophen is most highly recommended for treating fever by doctors. Ibuprofen does NOT interact adversely with coronavirus, but it has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke and is not as highly recommended to treat flu-like symptoms.

Yes: Soap and Sanitizer

Continue to keep your home clean and sanitized. Don’t forget about computers and phones, which carry the most germs.

If the stores are out of sanitizers, you can try making your own at home!

Wash your hands regularly! Wash for at least 20 seconds at a time, and be sure to get the backs of your hands, in between your fingers, and your thumbs.

Yes: Copies of Medical Records

If you find yourself seeking medical attention for COVID-19, your doctors will be much better able to treat you effectively if they know your full medical history.

You will want to request these and keep them on hand in a secure place where you can easily access them.

Word of caution: Never lie about your medical history.

What You Don’t Need in Your Coronavirus Survival Kit

• Water: You do not need to purchase bottled water. Coronavirus has not made tap water unsafe to drink, and your usual source of water is fine.
• Gloves: Most people do not use disposable gloves correctly; if you are using them improperly, you are wasting your time with them. Sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are sufficient.
• Face masks: Face masks are unlikely to prevent you from catching the virus. Germs from the virus can live on surfaces, where you are much more likely to come into contact with them. However, if you are feeling ill, a face mask will protect those around you.

How to Prepare for the Future

The rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 has opened many people’s eyes to the possibility of future emergencies.

Pandemics, economic collapses, martial law, terrorist attacks, and failed infrastructure are concerns to people who never viewed them as threats.

To fully prepare for pandemics and other potential emergency situations, everyone should begin prepping with the goal of being self-sufficient for at least two weeks. These preparations include food storage, water, medications, cash, and tactical supplies.

Make sure you have everything you need in your coronavirus survival kit.

Up Next:

• Prepping Supplies 101: Getting Ready For a Pandemic
• Best Foods for Prepping: How to Put Together Your Prepper’s Pantry
• Top 8 Tips for Building Your Emergency Stockpile