Prepare for the Worst …

We have all been told from an early age to “Be Prepared.” Children in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts know that is the Scout motto. For people in the military, it is just part of life.

With COVID-19 shutting down much of the world, being prepared is more than simply a way to avoid the inconvenience of not having what you need, when you need it; it is essential for health and survival. This article focuses primarily on preparing for a disease outbreak or other public health emergency, although some suggestions are applicable to preparing for many types of crises.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has a plethora of information on preparing for and responding to various types of emergencies (https://emergency.cdc.gov/hazards-specific.asp). Sections cover recent outbreaks and incidents, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, natural disasters and severe weather, radiation emergencies, bioterrorism, pandemic influenza, and chemical emergencies. Regarding public health emergencies, the site also includes what to do if you believe that you are sick or if you are caring for someone who is sick.

The following are some considerations to help you plan and prepare for a crisis situation. As you are reading this article, you will probably be thinking—at least about some of the suggestions—“Why is the author saying this? Of course, I have done it!” If you find just one or two suggestions that you had not thought of, however, then I will consider this article worthwhile.

FOOD AND SHELTER

• Keep rent or mortgage and utility accounts in good standing. In a nationwide emergency, your home is your fortress. Make sure that if you lose electricity, it is not because of nonpayment.
• Have an agreed-upon place for your family to meet in case communications are interrupted.
• Stock up on canned meats, such as tuna and chicken; canned vegetables and fruits; and dried goods, such as pasta, rice, and beans.
• Stash away several cases of bottled water or extra refills for a water dispenser.

HYGIENE

• Especially during a contagion emergency, wash your hands with soap and water before and after any activity, especially food preparation, shopping, and any contact with other people.
• Keep plenty of hand sanitizer in stock in case the water supply is unreliable.
• Try to avoid touching surfaces that may have been touched by other people (just assume that they all have been), and, again, use soap and water or hand sanitizer. Wearing rubber gloves, spray surfaces with disinfectant spray, wipe them down with sanitizing wipes, or spray on a solution of bleach and water (3/4 cup of bleach to each gallon of water), then wipe with paper towels.
• Particularly if members of your immediate household venture out and are exposed to other people, do not interact with them physically. Even if they are not showing signs of illness, they may have been infected but not even be aware of it yet, and COVID-19, for example, remains active on soft surfaces (such as clothing) for up to 24 hours.

MEDICAL CARE

• Ensure that you have at least a month’s supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication that you and your family take regularly.
• Assemble a first aid kit. If you already have one, make sure it is fully stocked.

COMMUNICATION

• Keep cell phones charged so if you lose electricity, the battery is more likely to last until the power is restored. If you play games on your phone, make an exception during this time and use an alternative form of entertainment. That phone may be your lifeline.
• Make sure everyone in the family has a list of emergency contacts on their phone or in a purse or wallet. Those numbers should include, of course, 9-1-1; phone numbers for immediate family members and an emergency contact, such as a neighbor; the family physician (including the emergency or after-hours number); and anyone who may be depending on you, such as elderly parents and sick or disabled friends.
• If you do not already have a battery-powered radio, invest in one. If the crisis is not already stressful enough, imagine not knowing how much better or worse the situation is becoming. Also, you could miss out on critical information that could save your life or the lives of your family.
• If you are teleworking, or you think working from home may be a possibility, make sure your software is updated—most important, of course, is security software—and restrict the use of your work computer to work only. With more people using their home networks than during typical, non-crisis times, the vulnerability to cyberattacks increases.

TRANSPORTATION

• Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full. During a nationwide emergency, fuel may be harder to acquire, and lines will likely be longer.
• Also, make sure you are keeping up with regular maintenance on your vehicles, such as oil changes and tire rotations.

COMMON SENSE

• Listen to what the official experts are saying about the situation—the CDC if it is a health crisis, the military if the threat is from a foreign power, and local authorities if there is civil unrest—and take their advice. They are the ones who know what is best in the current state of affairs.
• Stay away from people who show signs of illness, and practice “social distancing” for your own good and the good of others. Do not interact with people outside your home unless necessary, and, if you must interact, keep at least 6 feet of space between you and them.

Keep the faith! Do not forget that this too shall pass. If you use good sense and plenty of caution and precaution, then you are doing the best you can to stay safe and healthy. Look at this period of challenge as a wakeup call to remind you of how much beauty is in the world and how sweet freedom tastes—and do not take any of it for granted once the crisis is over.