Social distance. Wash your hands. Slow the spread. Flatten the curve. At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all pretty well aware of the sacrifices it takes to prevent the novel Coronavirus from entering our homes. But not everyone is as adequately prepared to handle an emergency situation should they (or their family members) actually contract the virus. Since the majority of COVID-19 cases do not require hospitalization, and since all but the most critical cases are often sent home anyway, chances are you and/or your family would need to recover in complete isolation under your own roof. And from the time your exposure or diagnosis is confirmed—or even suspected—you really have no time to waste.
According to sources like the Wall Street Journal, having a well-stocked COVID-19 emergency home kit is one of the best ways you can prepare to recover at home while also keeping everyone else in the household safe. If you contract the virus, you should expect to be in total isolation (preferably in a separate room with a separate bathroom, if possible) for at least two weeks. Having a COVID-19 emergency home kit on hand may be your best chance at clearing your home of the virus as quickly and as safely as possible.
Choose the Right Container
The first step in putting together a COVID-19 emergency home kit is choosing the right container to hold everything. It needs to be spacious enough to hold all necessary supplies, but also compact enough to store away for emergencies. Simply having the right supplies on hand is little help if they are scattered in various corners, closets, and pantries. If you don’t have a designated physical container to keep them in, it becomes extremely difficult to keep track of what you have, what you’ve already used, and what you would still need in a true emergency situation. With something as serious as COVID-19, emergencies can come quickly and unexpectedly. If you’re ever required to immediately self-quarantine, you won’t have time to dig through various stashes of items throughout the house. And you won’t want to put your loved ones at risk by doing so either.
A quality and spacious trunk, such as the American-made Rhino Armor Trundle Trunk™, is an ideal container for a COVID-19 emergency home kit. The trundle trunk is designed to be easily stored out of sight—such as under a bed—so you can ensure the items in your kit are saved specifically for emergencies and not on-hand for daily use. Hand-crafted from the highest quality components and materials, the Rhino Armor Trundle Trunk™ has a waterproof, dent-proof, and scratch-resistant exterior with a Baltic Birch hardwood plywood frame. Tough as a Rhino and strong enough to stand on, it is ruggedly built and made to last through whatever the pandemic throws its way.
Pack the Essentials
When packing the essentials, think of the personal items you would have needed for a two-week trip before the pandemic hit, such as regular prescription medications (if you’re able to get a small advance supply), a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. Then focus on what you would need in isolation to fight the virus itself, while also protecting everyone else: cough drops, over the counter cold medicines (such as acetaminophen), saline nasal spray, a thermometer, a pulse oximeter (with batteries), toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, cleaning supplies (with bleach), face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and sprays, laundry detergent, and even glasses (or safety glasses). The goal here is to have as much of this stocked up in one place as possible to help recovery while also greatly reducing the amount of contact a sick person would need to have with a healthy one.
Stock Up On Non-Perishables
A spacious storage trunk can fit a wide assortment of items, which you would certainly need for multiple weeks of isolation. Think of food and drink items that will keep unrefrigerated for a longer length of time, to cut down on the trips any caretakers would need to make to your room. Chicken noodle soup, protein bars, granola bars, freeze-dried fruit, crackers, and honey are all nutrient-dense options that keep well for a period of time. Bottled water, tea, and electrolyte-replacement drinks are also important, as ill patients need plenty of fluids to recover. And don’t forget daily multi-vitamins and vitamin C tablets, which give your immune system a boost. Be sure that anyone who does enter the room to care for you wears a mask and gloves at all times, and keep all visits brief.
Protect Your Sanity
Caring for your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and you’ll never find that more true than in extended periods of isolation. Think of hobbies and low-key activities you enjoy that help keep you entertained and relaxed, such as books and magazines, TV shows and movies, cards, puzzles, knitting, etc. Shop around for some new experiences you can pack away and actually look forward to, such as a few movies you haven’t seen yet, some books you’ve always wanted to read, courses for a language you’ve been wanting to learn, etc. That way, if an emergency hits and you’re stuck in a room by yourself, you’ll still be able to experience new things that make you happy. And don’t forget to pack away extra chargers, batteries, and adapters for any devices you’ll be using regularly.
Give Yourself Peace of Mind
Not much is comforting in a pandemic. But knowing that you’re prepared to fight this virus and protect your loved ones can instantly put your mind at ease. The best case scenario would be that you never need your kit and can easily unpack or update it on the other side of this pandemic. But as long as we’re still on this side, it’s best to be prepared for any scenario—even the worst.