As governments contemplate new shutdowns, lock-downs, or pauses due to the coronavirus, it is time to think about the essential items you will need in stock. If you need to self-isolate, you’ll have to stay at home for at least 14 days and won’t be able to go out into the community. So, now is the time to prepare with coronavirus essentials on this essential items list. Check out this coronavirus supplies checklist to be sure you are prepared.
You won’t need to get everything on this list. It is a guide to help you decide what is most important for your situation.
What are the Coronavirus Essential Items?
Coronavirus essentials are the essential items you need to live every day. This list includes food, health, personal, and cleaning products that will not go bad in the cupboard, at least for some time.
Important considerations for your essential items list:
- What do you have already? Check what you have stocked up in the cupboard and the freezer. There’s no need to go out and buy things you have already just because they are on a coronavirus supplies checklist.
- Look for boxed and canned long-life grocery items that have a long expiry date. Also, frozen foods are an excellent choice as coronavirus essentials.
- If you have trouble finding whatever you need at the moment, check back frequently. Supply chains, especially for paper products, are improving over time. Also, don’t overbuy, which contributes to supply chain issues for essential items.
- Use home delivery service as much as possible. Reduce your exposure to the coronavirus by staying home.
Coronavirus Supplies Checklist
- Food and water
- Long-lasting fruits like apples or oranges
- Long-lasting vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Canned foods, and tetra packs like beans, soups, spaghetti, tuna, juices, and UHT long-life milk
- Frozen items like meat, vegetables, fruit, and freezer meals
- Pasta and rice
- Eggs
- Cereals and packaged foods like crackers, noodles, and cookies
- Hard cheeses
- Pet food and litter
- Coffee and tea
- Toiletries, toilet paper, and personal hygiene and sanitary items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, hand sanitizer, shampoo, and conditioner
- Deodorant and shaving products
- Cleaning products
- Laundry detergent
- Dish-washing liquid and dish detergent
- Trash bags
- Plastic bags
- Batteries, chargers, and candles
- Medical and disability health supports
- OTC medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins, and prescription medications
- First Aid Kit
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves
- Access to a landline or cellphone
Slowing the coronavirus’s spread poses challenges for typical tasks, like buying groceries, getting gas, and banking. But you can stay safer by taking these additional steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Running Errands
Of course, self-isolate and stay home if you have any coronavirus symptoms, like a cough, fever, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor to find out what to do next.
If you are not showing symptoms, you may still be carrying the virus. So, it is still critical to take these steps to reduce the risk of infecting others and being infected yourself when you shop for your essential items list.
- Wear a cloth face-covering in public and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
- Cover your face whenever you do cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Always use hand sanitizer after you leave a store, get gas, or accept a delivery.
- When you arrive home, carefully wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Banking
The best choice is to do all your banking online or by telephone. If you absolutely must visit a bank, use the drive-through ATM. Also, wipe the keyboard with a disinfecting wipe first.
Taking a Delivery
Always pay online or over the phone when placing your order. Accept deliveries from your essential items list with no personal contact. Ask the delivery service to place your package on the doorstep. You can watch the delivery. Just be absolutely sure to stay at least 6 feet away from the delivery person.
Doctor’s Appointments and Pharmacy Purchases
Use your doctor’s telemedicine service by video or telephone. Some doctors now provide email services, too. Then, talk to your doctor to reschedule any non-urgent procedures.
Pick up all prescriptions in one visit to the pharmacy or use the store’s delivery service, drive-through window, curbside pickup, or mail-order. Call prescriptions ahead of time or have your doctor call or fax them over.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can get a supply of medicines to last longer, so there is no need to visit the pharmacy as frequently.
Getting Gas
At the gas station, use disposable gloves or disinfecting wipes. Also, don’t touch the handles or buttons without cleaning them.
Grocery Shopping
The best possible solution for coronavirus essentials is to order online, but curbside pickup is a close second. Don’t visit the store in person unless you absolutely must.
- Shop when fewer people are there and stay at least 6 feet apart.
- Find out if stores offer special hours.
- Always disinfect the shopping cart.
- Use touch-less payment methods.
So, for the latest information on COVID-19 safety, visit redcross.org/coronavirus or the CDC website at cdc.gov/covid19. Health and safety tips are also on the World Health Organization’s website.
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