Most people who stocked up in early 2020 learned the same lesson at roughly the same time: the basics (food, water, medication) are necessary, but they are not enough. A household pandemic plan has to cover how you will get information, how you will pay for things if income drops, how you will keep a sick person away from everyone else, and how you will keep your head straight through months of disruption. COVID-19 dominated the last few years of headlines, yet it will not be the last outbreak. This guide goes past the supply list.
This guide builds on the lessons in prepping for pandemics: lessons learned from COVID-19. A household plan sits on top of a good basic kit, so if yours is thin, start with the 72-hour emergency kit checklist. Other scenarios are collected in the crisis and medical hub.
Start with supplies, and go a little further #
Everyone knows to stock non-perishable food, bottled water and medications. In a pandemic, the list has a second tier that people tend to skip:
- Personal protective equipment. Masks, gloves and hand sanitizer help protect you and your family from exposure to infectious disease. Buy before demand spikes, because these are the first items to vanish from shelves.
- Hygiene and cleaning products. Soap, disinfectants and household cleaners for surfaces that many hands touch.
- Medications and basic health supplies. Prescriptions, over-the-counter fever and pain relief, a thermometer, rehydration supplies and a first aid kit.
- Enough of everything to isolate. If someone in the house gets sick, or if you are asked to self-isolate or quarantine, you may not be able to shop for a while. Make a written list of essentials, then check it periodically and replace what is aging out.
Keep the list in a place everyone can find it. A stockpile only helps if the family knows it exists and what is in it.
Write the plan down #
A comprehensive plan lays out what you and your family will do when an outbreak reaches your area. Put it on paper and include:
- Emergency contacts, including your doctor, the local health department and out-of-town relatives.
- Evacuation routes and a destination, in case you must leave.
- Where you will get reliable information, and who is responsible for checking it each day.
- Who will care for children or dependent relatives if a caregiver falls ill.
- What you will do if the person who falls ill lives in a shared household.
Review the plan every few months. Plans written once and filed away go stale.
Prepare the house #
If someone gets sick, you need a place to put them. Identify a room, ideally with its own bathroom, that can serve as an isolation space. Stock it with the items a sick person needs so you can limit trips in and out. Make sure the room can be ventilated, since good air circulation reduces the concentration of airborne particles, and keep hand sanitizer, disinfectant, masks and gloves where caregivers can reach them.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, phones, remotes and faucets, on a regular schedule rather than only after someone gets sick. Open windows when the weather allows.
Hygiene is the cheapest tool you have #
Personal hygiene is the most effective low-cost measure for stopping the spread of infectious disease. The habits are simple:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth, because that is how viruses enter the body.
- Do not touch your face with unwashed hands, and keep sanitizer available when soap and water are not.
Build these into routines, such as washing hands as soon as you come through the door. Children learn habits from watching, so model them.
Distance, within reason #
Social distancing reduces the spread of infection. Limit contact with others, especially in crowded spaces, and keep a distance of at least six feet from people outside your household. Avoid large gatherings and use virtual meetings where you can. This is not about hiding indefinitely. It is a way to reduce risk during the peak of an outbreak, and it is most useful when you combine it with solid hygiene and a good stockpile so that you need to go out less often.
Know what is going on, from the right sources #
In a pandemic, information changes quickly and rumors move faster. Follow reputable organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), and your local health department for guidance specific to your area. Learn the signs and symptoms of the infectious disease at hand, as well as recommended prevention and treatment practices.
Be skeptical of misinformation and sensational headlines. If a claim gets passed around social media with no source, treat it as unconfirmed until you can verify it with a reliable body. Limit how often you check the news, because constant monitoring is a stress source of its own.
Set up a communication network #
Communication keeps families and neighborhoods functioning when people cannot meet face to face. Create a network with family, friends and neighbors to check in regularly, share updates, and coordinate support. Keep important contact information easy to find, including emergency contacts, healthcare providers and local authorities.
A group chat is enough for most, but have a backup, such as a phone tree, for relatives who do not use messaging apps, and for the likely event of a heavily loaded network.
Protect your finances #
A pandemic is an economic event as much as a health event, and disruptions to work can arrive quickly. Steps worth taking before it happens:
- Build an emergency fund that covers several months of essential expenses.
- Review your insurance policies, so you know what your health, life and income coverage actually does.
- Explore options for remote work or additional sources of income.
- Keep some cash on hand in case electronic payments are disrupted.
None of this requires heroic saving. Even a modest cushion reduces the pressure on decisions you will make during the crisis.
Mental health counts #
During a pandemic it is easy to focus on physical health and neglect mental well-being. Isolation, uncertainty and constant news can wear a person down. Prioritize self-care: relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga, hobbies, time outdoors, and regular contact with loved ones. Take breaks from the news and social media to avoid feeling overwhelmed. If you struggle, seek help from a mental health professional, and do not wait for things to become unmanageable.
Keep your body in working order #
A strong immune system will not make you immune, but a body in good condition is better placed to withstand infection. Eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, exercise regularly, drink enough water and sleep enough. Some people choose supplements such as vitamin C, zinc or probiotics to support their defenses. If you do, speak with a healthcare provider first, because supplements are not appropriate for everyone and cannot replace the basics.
Medical help: when and how #
If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or local health department promptly for guidance on testing, treatment and isolation. Follow their recommendations closely. Seek medical attention without delay if symptoms worsen or if you have underlying health conditions that put you at higher risk of complications. Many providers offer telehealth during outbreaks, which lets you get advice without exposing others.
Support the people around you #
Pandemics hit some people harder than others. Elderly people, those with chronic medical conditions and others who cannot easily leave the house may need help with grocery shopping, medication refills and basic tasks. Reach out to them, and volunteer with local organizations or charities if you can. Building a support network, giving help and receiving it, makes a community more resilient and makes the stress easier to bear.
Stay flexible #
The facts of a pandemic change as the weeks pass: guidance shifts, supply chains jerk, workplaces and schools open and close. The people who cope best tend to be the ones who adapt. Keep a positive mindset where you can, stay flexible in problem-solving, and look for solutions rather than dwelling on what has gone wrong. Treat each change as a problem to work through. Resilience is a skill, and it improves with practice.
A checklist to start with #
If you are building your plan this week, here is a reasonable order:
- Supplies: food, water, medications and PPE for at least two weeks, longer if possible.
- A written plan with contacts and responsibilities.
- An isolation room identified and stocked.
- Reliable information sources bookmarked.
- A communication network arranged.
- An emergency fund started.
- A routine that protects sleep, exercise and mental health.
The details will vary by household, but the framework is the same. The goal is to be a step ahead when the next outbreak makes the news.