Definitive Guide: 6 must-haves to survive an imminent Coronavirus lockdown. Do you have them? [update 3/30/2020]

6 must-haves to survive a Coronavirus lockdown

1. Cleaning, sanitizing and daily hygiene supplies – NECESSARY

In addition to being an airborne disease, Coronavirus can also spread via droplets. Therefore, cleaning and sanitizing supplies are among important must-haves in case of a coronavirus lockdown.

Stores already ran out of some supplies: hand sanitizers, Lysol sprays, Clorox disinfecting wipes. However, all of these will be extremely important to keep your environment clean and virus free.

Specifically, we recommend wiping and thoroughly cleaning the following areas:

• Door knobs
• Light switches
• Elevator buttons
• Car doors
• Steering wheels
• Computer keyboard
• Computer mouse
• Pens/pencils that are shared with co-workers
• Working station

In case of a lock down, it might be good to have some additional cleaning supplies:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Tissues
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Soap

2. Food supplies – NECESSARY

Food is among the most essential must-haves for a coronavirus lockdown. The quarantine may last anywhere from 2 weeks to up to 2 months. In China, the citizens have been locked in for 3 months now. In Italy, people will need to persevere for at least 2 months.

Even if there is no lockdown in your area, things may go awry. If you are unlucky to contract Coronavirus, you will need to quarantine yourself and your family for at least 2-3 weeks.

Therefore, we highly recommend stocking up for at least a month of food. Please note the expiration dates on your items.

Here are some suggestions:

• Canned food: meats (tuna, chicken), vegetables (corn, sweet peas, beans) and soups (chicken soups)
• Canned tomatoes (crushed, dices, whole): these can be excellent for a sauce
• Pastas, rice, quinoa and couscous
• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, Brazilian nuts)
• Meat to put in a freezer (chicken breasts, chicken thighs, ground beef, chicken, turkey)
• Frozen fruit (raspberries, blueberries)
• Fresh vegetables: potatoes and carrots can last long outside of the fridge, basil/scallion can be washed, chopped and put in a freezer
• Fresh fruit to put in the fridge: apples and oranges can last for months in the fridge
• A loaf of bread to put in a freezer
• Tea and coffee

Also, do not forget about food for the pets in your household.

If you don’t want to risk exposure to coronavirus in stores, you can sign up for the Amazon Prime Membership. The first 30-day are typically free. You can order food/supplies via AmazonFresh, with a delivery at your door step. You can cancel Prime Membership within the first 30 days, and not incur a fee.

3. Medications, drugs – NECESSARY

Whether your area experiences a lockdown or not, it might be wise to stock up on some of your regular pills. Therefore, we consider medication and drugs to be among the most necessary must-haves for a Coronavirus lockdown.

According to the US Economic and Security Review Commission, China is the second largest exporter of drugs and biologics to the United States.

The available data reveals that a whopping 80 percent of the basic components used in U.S. drugs come from China and India.  Further, 97% of the US market for antibiotics and more than 90% of the market for Vitamin C is dominated by the Chinese pharmaceutical firms.

Thus, with China and India on Coronavirus quarantines, it is very important to get your meds as soon as possible.

In addition, consider getting the following:

• Paracetamol for fever
• Theraflu for cold/flu
• Advil for headaches
• Band-aids
• Hydrogen peroxide

4. Immunity boosters – USEFUL

Though the actual effectiveness of the immunity boosters on Coronavirus is unknown, they can be extremely helpful in preventative care for colds, flus and other diseases.

Right now, there’s many people going to doctors’ offices for various things. It is possible that some of these individuals are actually infected with coronavirus. Therefore, taking preventative steps against flu or cold might be a smart move.

5. Vacuum sealers to keep food fresh for longer  – USEFUL

Vacuum sealers can allow you to keep food fresh for 3-5 longer than food packed away with traditional methods. In addition, texture and appearance will remain intact for longer periods of time.

Therefore, vacuum sealers can be extremely useful when you need to store food for a month.

Vacuum sealers, which suck the oxygen out, expand the shelf life of refrigerated foods, dried goods and frozen foods.

6. Can openers to use when needed – SUGGESTED

Cans can become an instrumental part of the day-to-day cooking. Getting a useful can opener might be a good idea right now.

As we reported earlier, China stopped manufacturing, and we will be experiencing inventory shortages by the summer. Prices are likely to go significantly up.

Therefore, we and our families already got some can openers before it’s too late.

2 things to keep in mind when opening cans:

• Make sure to thoroughly clean the surface of the can before opening (you want to wipe off any viruses or bacteria that may be sitting on the can)
• Ensure that the can’s cover does not contaminate food – there are a couple of can openers that pull the can’s cover up after opening

7. Coffee makers – SUGGESTED (EXTRA!)

We have received a lot of feedback from consumers. They expressed their concern about viruses and bacteria on surfaces across coffee shops (tables, countertops and other surfaces).

Therefore, going to a local Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or other coffee shop might be out of question for some.

If you are someone that cannot start a day without a cup of coffee, getting a coffee maker right now may be of your interest. You’d be able to skip going to local coffee shops altogether. In addition, you may still grab some available coffee makers before they run out around the summer.

Here are some ideas for different coffee makers as useful coronavirus must-haves.

The US experiencing regional quarantines and lockdowns to prevent Coronavirus spread

At the time of publishing, the US has confirmed 959 infected and 28 deceased individuals [update 3/27: 86,000 infected and 1,307 deceased individuals]. There appears to be a logarithmic increase of infections and deaths. Therefore, we will see those numbers continue surging in America in the next couple of weeks.

Some parts in the US are already experiencing disruptions on a mass scale:

• school closures,
• work disruptions,
• shortage of medication,
• shortage of every-day goods,
• hospitals that are not able to accommodate all individuals requiring hospitalizations.

What can happen in case of a regional or city lockdown?

The US federal and state governments have gradually been implementing strict measures across states. New York has already deployed National Guard in the states. Rhode Island police ask anyone with a NY license plate to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Gradually more states have been implementing “shelter-in-place” or “order-at-home” executive actions.

Italy is the first country in the West to implement a large scale quarantine. Initially, this lock-down included the region of Lombardy. However, it became a country-wide quarantine earlier today. What does this officially mean?

• People throughout the country should not leave their homes other than for work or emergencies.
• Schools and universities will remain closed until April 3.
• Public transit will remain operation.
• All public gatherings are banned.
• Sporting events are suspended.
• Restaurants and bars will have to close at 6 PM each day.

What are practical implications?

• Some people need to stay at their homes 24/7
• Lacking medical assistance as hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of new cases
• Older people are not attended to medically

Between half a million to 3 million deaths due to Coronavirus in the US alone

Dr. James Lawler, a professor at the University of Nebraska  Medical Center, presented the data at the webinar What Healthcare Leaders Need to Know: Preparing for the COVID-19 on February 26.

He estimates that in the next 3-4 months, there will be the following:

• 96 million coronavirus infections
• 4.5 million hospitalizations from the infection
• 480,000 deaths in the US

His estimates are based on the 0.6% mortality rate, as opposed to 3.5% that we have seen to date. The 3.5% mortality rate would yield about 3.3M deaths in the US.

Regardless, the American hospital system is not prepared for such an influx of people. There is not enough beds, staff, medication, syringes and IVs to support this.

What do you think?

What are some things in your cart as must-haves for a Coronavirus lockdown? Are you in a quarantined area? Are there any other useful things we missed on our list? Do you think Coronavirus is real?

Let us know in the comments!