Please be aware that this article is not meant to scare but to educate. With our community being largely military, we have many people in our community who are always on the move. My husband is one of them. Since the initial news of coronavirus arriving in the U.S., many of our loved ones have traveled and flown multiple times through airports with some of the heaviest traffic, domestic and international, in the United States. We are also preparing for visitors from all over due to The Masters in April. This information provided with the help of a fellow publisher and mom, Mrs. Kapur of Lower Manhattan Macaroni Kid, is a means to help all our families prepare for the spread of the virus. Macaroni Kid Evans hopes this can serve as a helpful resource for you and your family.
Your first line of defense is the easiest... WASH YOUR HANDS! Hand washing is one of the basic tasks we should all be doing to prevent spreading the cold, flu, and other viruses. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be readily available (for those who can use it) as an additional option to protect your health and wellness.
On 25th February, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: "It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness."
Now the question is, how are you preparing in case the virus spreads to Georgia? Here are a few pointers to get you started:
N95 masks will not be very helpful. P100 masks will work better. The P100 mask is better in quality and filters out even very small particles in the air. The mask is currently on backorder on Amazon, however, it should be available at construction stores or in similar stores online.
Stock up on food supplies. Invest in foods with a longer shelf life. Stock your pantry with at least a month’s supply of food. In case NY is declared a state of emergency, a lot of people will rush to stores to stock up. Avoid the frenzy and stock up in advance. Canned food, granola bars, dry fruits will last a longer time. Stock up on baby formula, soft foods for your child so that you are prepared. Don’t forget your pets!
Check your medicine cabinet. Don’t forget to update your medicine cabinet. Have extra alcohol-based hand sanitizers, medicines for fever and pain, diarrhea, throat lozenges, vomit bags, cough syrup, thermometer, vitamins, fluids with electrolytes, etc. There is data online stating elderberry syrup, honey and other herbs can create a cytokine storm in your system making the situation worse. Please research online before medicating your family.
Stock your toiletries. Keep extra diapers, feminine and dental hygiene products. Better to have more in your house than to run out of these.
Make medical emergency plans. Reaching your doctor or getting healthcare might get more difficult during a severe pandemic. Have a backup plan. Get your refills and any medical supplies you might need. Plan ahead on how you would care for family members with disabilities in case support services are not available.
Avoid air travel or public spaces. If cases in US keep rising, it might be better to stay away from highly populated areas like airports, playgrounds, gyms, restaurants, etc.
Indoor entertainment for your kids. Being indoors for extended periods of time can make kids restless. Don't forget to stock up on reading materials, crafts and entertainment for your kids.
A vaccine is in the process of being developed, however, that needs to be tested, and it’s still months before we can use it. Be prepared and calm, not scared.
Latest news on the virus:
- Real-time global map of the COVID-19 virus
- COVID-19 and children facts
- Feb 28th: NYC resident being tested for COVID-19
- Feb 27th: California is monitoring at least 8,400 people for coronavirus
- Feb 27th: Hundreds have been quarantined in Massachusetts
- Feb 27th: All schools in Japan to temporarily closed
- Feb 27th: No immediate plans to close NYC schools as threat escalates
- Feb 27th: Japan confirms first case of person being reinfected
- Feb 26th: 83 people in Nassau County being monitored
- Feb 26th: WHO Official: Trump's press conference on coronavirus 'incoherent'
- Feb 26th: Coronavirus threat to YOUR holiday
- Feb 26th: Coronavirus: San Francisco declares state of emergency amid CDC warning
- Feb 26th: Orange County declares a local emergency about coronavirus
- Feb 26th: 14% of recovered coronavirus patients in China's Guangdong tested positive again
- Feb 21st: Only 3 US States can test for Corona Virus
- Feb 18th: Here's what coronavirus does to your body
We will update this page in a timely manner as more information and details are released.
