As the weeks of social distancing and staying home drag on, more and more of us are looking for ways to feel more prepared — prepared for longterm isolation, for family or friends to come down with symptoms or for managing any other concerns that allergy season might throw at us along the way.
Since we aren’t advised to make runs to the pharmacy or grocery store frequently — and especially not if we or someone we know starts experiencing COVID-19 symptoms — it only makes sense to do what we can to assemble a preparedness kit for a not-so-great case scenario. While towing the responsible community member line of having all that you need without going overboard and causing issues for your friends and neighbors, it’s advised that you consider some non-perishable pantry items (for two weeks at a time), a drinkable water supply (or filtration system if your tap isn’t ideal), the regular, appropriate amount of toilet paper or wiping substitutes and a supply of any regular prescriptions you take. In addition to those things, we’re also considering items that will be helpful to you if someone in your house starts to come down with symptoms — think in terms of OTC meds that can alleviate discomfort from symptoms, keep the household disinfected as possible and help everyone stay on track to look after their health.
A lot of these items might seem obvious, or maybe they’re just things you overlook until you’re without them. Nonetheless, they are great stand-by picks to keep in your medicine cabinet (wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already got a few of them!) — and even just organizing what you’ve got between now and your next safe, socially-distanced store run can be a wonder for your anxiety.
And, again, be a cool and respectful neighbor and don’t buy more than you need.
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American Red Cross Family First Aid Kit
Image Credit: Amazon A first aid kit is something you can easily assemble yourself (think bandages, disinfectant, chewable asprin, etc.), but this one from the American Red Cross is a well-stocked 115 piece kit that has just about anything you can imagine. Plus, it’s useful to have around the house long after lockdown is over.
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Pedialyte
Image Credit: Amazon Hydration is everything! If someone in your house is feeling under the weather, keeping an electrolyte-boosting beverage like Pedialyte in your fridge is a great way to make sure all fluids are accounted for.
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Cough Syrup
Image Credit: Amazon Natural, kid-friendly cough remedies are obviously a thing we love around here. So you definitely would benefit from keeping some cough syrup (whatever your favorite brand might be) on hand just in case. This one from Zarbees is made of dark honey and ivy leaf extract and has a natural grape flavor kids won’t battle over.
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Fever Reducers
Image Credit: Amazon There’s a wealth of OTC fever reducers and pain relievers available that you likely keep on hand anyway. While they aren’t going to cure a virus, they — like any of the products we recommend — can make dealing with symptoms a bit easier. Keep some on hand for both you and the kiddos (and be sure to follow dosage guidelines or consult your doctor if you’re not sure about how much to take).
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Cough Drops
Image Credit: Amazon If you’re experiencing a dry cough, cough drops will save your throat and give you a fighting chance at getting a decent night sleep.
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Tissues
Image Credit: Amazon It’s allergy season and potential congestion, coughing or sneezing means you’ll want tissues on hand.
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Thermometer
Image Credit: Amazon Having a few thermometers on hand (or one that you disinfect thoroughly) is necessary for monitoring temperatures and potential fevers. Make sure yours is working and giving you accurate reads for the sake of your anxiety later.
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Water Filter Pitcher
Image Credit: Amazon I personally think keeping a water filter apparatus (a pitcher, a faucet attachement, whatever you prefer) on hand is a huge relief for folks who don’t want to be loading up on gallons of water or those disposable water bottles. The earth will thank you!
I also happen to notice that keeping one of these bad boys filled and in the fridge inspires me to drink a bit more water when I might otherwise forget.
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Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Image Credit: Target A multi-surface spray cleared by the EPA to do some major germ killing, this product claims to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, 100 illness causing germs, odor causing bacteria. It also prevents mold and mildew from growing while sanitizing hard and soft surfaces and makes your “uh oh, someone is sick” cleaning a lot easier.
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Anti-Diarrheal
Image Credit: Amazon For relief in case of diarrhea (ew, we know), having a bit of an anti-diarrheal on hand, like Imodium, can provide a bit more comfort. Again, be mindful of dosage directions for whatever product you choose.
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Cloth Face Masks
Image Credit: Amazon The guidance for wearing masks has been complicated as more information about the virus develops. As of now, the Centers for Disease Control does advise that people wear cloth face coverings when out and about “in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain” to further reduce the risk of human-to-human spread. While medical equipment (N95 respirators and surgical masks) should whenever possible be reserved for healthcare providers, other masks and face covering cloths (DIYs abound!) are advised.
This one, available on Amazon, is an option if you aren’t the best DIY-er. But a trusty bandana can also work.
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