How To Survive A 14-Day Self-Quarantine During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Do you suspect that you've caught the coronavirus? If you do, then it's mandatory to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. It's not easy, so here are some tips to survive this ordeal.

Surviving a 14-Day Self-Quarantine

Many Americans are 4-5 weeks into their social distancing and self-imposed quarantines, and experiencing varying degrees of success with how they prepared for the challenge.

While being stuck at home provides significantly more comforts than being stuck abroad or having to vacate your home in a hurry, there are still plenty of essential items you can easily run out of.

As grocery delivery services are overwhelmed and shipping wait times longer than ever, now is the time that most people will start to see where they may have been able to better prepare themselves.

In the case of COVID-19, the average American is not without electricity or clean drinking water, but most emergency preparedness agencies recommend preparing for all possible scenarios.

Oftentimes, when people are stuck in their homes for an extended period of time, it is due to severe weather. Weather emergencies are usually accompanied by power outages and an inability for help to reach you.

So what do you REALLY need on-hand to successfully do a 14-day self-quarantine?

1. Food & Water

Of paramount importance are food and water. This cannot be stressed enough.

Fresh food is great in the short term, but for longer periods of time, canned and dried foods will extend your ability to be self-sufficient.

When building your stockpile, be sure to choose a variety of foods that everyone in your family will eat.

Do not forget your pets or any specific needs for children. Assume that everyone will eat about every 3 hours.

While our fresh water supply has not been compromised in this pandemic, your preparations should always include fresh water for every member of your family.

An alternative to trying to store a gallon of water per person per day is to keep water purification tablets or a personal filtration system on-hand.

2. First Aid & Medications

Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet will be a critical component in successfully staying home. The last thing you want to do during a pandemic is stand in line at a pharmacy or rush to a hospital for a minor injury.

To limit your exposure to unnecessary germs, keep a comprehensive first aid kit on hand that includes varying sizes of bandages, skin glue, splints, and ointments.

Call and order a month’s worth of any medications or prescriptions that your family relies on. It would also be a good idea to store over-the-counter medications like cold and flu relief, or antacids.

3. Supplies

Many people focus on immediate needs like food and water when they’re preparing for quarantine, but the fact of the matter is that we use a variety of products daily. These should all be on your list before shutting yourself in:

• cleaning products
• hand soap
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• laundry detergent
• dish soap
• toiletries including shampoo and toothpaste, feminine products
• diapers
• office supplies

4. Entertainment

A two-week vacation may sound like a dream, but remember, you’re not spending it on a beach or in a fancy resort. You will be in your home with little to no ability to leave, and your kids will be there.

This is a great opportunity for time with your family, but you will want some distractions for when you all get sick of each other. Board games, puzzles, toys, books, and magazines are all great tools even if your quarantine loses power.

5. Prepare for the Worst

A 14-day pandemic self-quarantine is one of the more comfortable quarantines to endure; all of the comforts of your home are in working order. After you have successfully gathered all of the supplies you need, make sure you prepare yourself for the potential of a worst-case scenario.

Your Emergency Kit will include all of the above, as well as light and power sources, weather-appropriate attire, important documents, and basic tools like a can opener, knife, and multi-tool.

While self-quarantine will protect your body, you also have to enter this with a healthy mind. Know and understand the purpose of doing a self-quarantine. It's not just for you, the for the people around you, too. That should be enough motivation for you to go through this properly and willingly!

Have you undergone self-quarantine or know someone who has? Do share with us any valuable tips in the comments section.

Up Next:

• 10 Reasons All Preppers Should Carry a Multi-Purpose Tool
• Setting Up Quarantine: When Family Arrives
• 13 Dried And Canned Foods With The Longest Shelf Lives

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The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 21, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.