It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do when the whole world feels like it’s on fire around you. One of the biggest stresses can be making sure you and your family are prepared for what may feel like an eternity hunkered down and waiting out the course of the virus’ spread. There a lot of things to consider when facing the possibility of a month or two stuck inside your home.

Coronavirus Prepping Tips

Prepping for the coronavirus is different from prepping for the proverbial end days, so don’t expect this article to tout outrageously-priced “prepper backpacks” or cleverly-named everyday items that are repackaged for “coronavirus prepping.” 

No, prepping for the coronavirus is simple: you need just enough food and everyday supplies in your home to last your family for about a month. 

For most people – especially those you see panicking in stores in the news – that seems like a lot. In reality, most families keep more than a month’s supply of household products, non-perishable foods and snacks. Really. 

Think about that bag of rice that mostly lives in the back of your pantry. Or the jumbo pack of toilet paper on your Costco list every month. And that fish you bought when you were trying to eat healthier, then froze it and forgot it. Or even that bag of jerky you’ve been saving for your next camping trip.

And while nearly everyone has experienced the empty grocery store shelves, long lines and toilet paper memes, there are basic prepping tips and survival techniques that can actually help you and your family prepare while (mostly) avoiding the hysteria around us all. 

Basic Coronavirus Prep

In reality, to prep for the coronavirus, we all just need to purchase a little bit more than we normally would at the grocery store, add in a few more items with a longer shelf life and frozen veggies (just in case) and – most importantly – don’t horde supplies knowing that our older neighbors and community members need them, too.

If you’re reading this and feeling a bit silly about how much food or toilet paper now resides in your house, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are food pantries all over the country that desperately need supplies for those who can’t afford the basics on an everyday basis – let alone in a crisis. 

So, here are a few things you can do to prep for the coronavirus:

• Don’t panic.
• Stock up (in a reasonable fashion) and order food online, if you can.
• Donate what you can to help those in your community most impacted by the crisis. 

Stay safe, stay healthy and follow the CDC’s recommendations. We’ll get through this, together.