The President just declared a National State of Emergency. With all the schools and businesses that are closing down, a lot of folks are really scared. They don't know what to do next. I have more messages in my inbox than I could possibly reply to so I'm going to summarize my advice here.
1) GET SOME SHELF STABLE FOOD.
If you already have what you need, that's awesome! If you don't, go to a 24-hour store in the middle of the night to avoid the panicked crowds. You may not get exactly what you want, but you'll find stuff. You've waited too long to be picky. You might find this article helpful.
2) DON'T FORGET YOUR PETS.
Be sure to grab some stuff for Fluffy and Fido.
3) QUARANTINES COULD LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS OR MORE.
When you're wondering how much stuff to get, remember that the length of time quarantines go on are generally calculated based on the last time someone was confirmed to be sick. So you'll have to add 2-3 weeks to that. Expect 8-12 weeks if quarantines occur. China had 8 weeks. For more info on quarantines, check out this article.
4) GET SOME CASH OUT OF THE BANK.
If things go kind of sideways you may not be able to use your debit card. It's always a good idea to have some cash in small denominations on hand. (That way nobody can say "Sorry, I don't have change" and charge you $20
for an iced tea.
5) PICK UP PRESCRIPTIONS.
You may have quite a wait but go and fill any prescriptions you can. You will want to have these medications on hand if you are stuck at home for a while. Given the situation, the pharmacist might be able to fill them a bit early for you.
6.) DON'T GET DEEPLY INTO DEBT PREPARING.
It would really suck to come out the other side of this with lost income from missing work AND huge bills. Try to avoid buying all your supplies using credit cards.
7.) BE CALM.
If you are panicking, you will make horrible decisions. Like Oreos over oatmeal. Wait. I did that. (*wink*) No, but seriously - this is the time when it's important to think clearly and rationally. This is obviously a
situation that most if not all of us have never experienced. But freaking out won't do you a darn bit of good.
8.) BE NICE.
Remember. everyone else is as freaked out as you are. Try to forgive a little bit of bad behavior. Try to answer a rude person in a kind manner. For the love of all things cute and fluffy, don't be nasty to the people working at the stores where you're getting your last-minute supplies. You wouldn't be getting any supplies if it weren't for them and their willingness to work and be exposed to your cooties.
If you can help someone out, do it, whether that means taking their cart to the cart corral or helping them get a heavy bag of rice into the car. It costs you nothing to be nice.
9.) TOP UP YOUR GAS TANK.
You may have to wait in line, but I always prefer to start an emergency with a full tank of gas. :)
10.) THIS WILL BE OVER ONE OF THESE DAYS.
Either the virus spread will die out quickly or things will get mighty unpleasant and eventually it will die out. Nobody knows how bad things will get - or even if they will get bad. But you don't need to be a jerk to someone who sees things differently.
Remember, these are the people you work with, they're your neighbors, and they're family members. Don't go burning bridges because you're in a tizzy right now because you'll have to work with them or see them when this is all over. Don't turn it into a situation where you can't be friends anymore.
In the long run, it doesn't matter who was right and who was wrong. Just remember, either way, one day this will be over and even if the new normal is different, there will be a normal of some type again.
So if you need a few things to top up, get them. Be nice while you're out. Remember that other folks are scared, too. Help them if you can. And most of all, don't freak out.
Hang in
there and I'll talk to y'all again tomorrow.
Daisy
