Keep this in mind if you are going to be quarantined

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With more and more companies asking employees to work from home, home quarantine may become an increasingly necessary practice. We are going to explain how you should prepare for it.

First things first: Quarantine and isolation are different, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Quarantine is for people who have been exposed to disease and can get sick, even if they seem healthy right now. Isolation is for people who are sick and have been diagnosed with coronavirus and are now a danger to family and visitors.

And there is a larger group of people, let’s call them quarantined, who have no reason to think they have been exposed, but stay home to reduce the risk of getting sick or passing the virus on to others.

The following guide is for healthy people who want to stay home as a way to prevent the capture and spread of this virus. And in the United States, especially since limited evidence is still available, people are seeking quarantine as a way to help prevent both.

Of course, if you experience any symptoms associated with coronavirus, the CDC requests that you contact a healthcare professional immediately.

So what exactly do you need if you want to limit, or completely eliminate, your time outdoors? First, unless you’re already sick, you probably shouldn’t be wearing a mask. The CDC and health professionals have explicitly said that the masks are not effective or necessary for members of the general public who do not show any symptoms of the virus.

The masks should only be used by people in a region experiencing an outbreak, healthcare workers treating patients, and people experiencing flu-like symptoms. With that said, if you’re sick and experiencing flu-like symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider for guidance. A mask could help prevent the spread of the virus to others in such cases.

Food

In a pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security recommends stocking up on a two-week supply of food. Unfortunately, that has already led to a lack of basic supplies at some of the major stores.

Depending on your location, delivery services like Amazon Fresh and Instacart can deliver food right to your door, including long-lasting, non-perishable products like canned vegetables, rice, beans, nuts, and more. Frozen foods could also be beneficial if you are looking to cook for the whole family.

One thing to keep in mind: if you are concerned about keeping the dealer safe, you can leave a note asking them to simply leave the items at their doorstep or even outside their building to limit human contact, and therefore the risk of spreading the virus. .

Other essential household items

Think about the types of items you use frequently over a two-week period. Paper products are likely to be at the top of this list, including items like toilet paper, tissues (which are scarce but available to Prime subscribers through Amazon Fresh), paper towels, and feminine hygiene products. And if you are a family with young children, you will also want to have diapers.

Also, if you don’t have regular access to clean water, tools like Brita filters can help you avoid having to go out and buy a ton of water bottles at a time.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter ($ 17.47, originally $ 19.95; amazon.com)

Brita Metro Pitcher with Filter ($ 19.99; amazon.com)

First aid kits

To be prepared for any type of minor emergency that may arise, the American Red Cross recommends having a home first-aid kit on hand to treat common injuries like sprains, cuts, and more. These kits also come with common medications like aspirin and ibuprofen that can help ease headaches and reduce fever.

First aid kit – 160 pieces ($ 25.97; amazon.com)

First aid: 299 pieces ($ 19.17, originally $ 23.75; amazon.com)

Grooming your pets

It is important to note that if you have been diagnosed with or believe you have the disease, the CDC recommends limiting your contact with your pet. That means washing hands before and after touching, stroking, and feeding Rover and Fluffy.

However, pets need the basics, just like you do, and for that Chewy, which can also be delivered directly to your door, is a good source of name-brand food at reduced prices. It’s also easy to buy these things in bulk if needed as supplies are still available, including those listed below.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food ($ 49.98; chewy.com)