Home-quarantine emergency checklist

Is getting ready for the coronavirus outbreak overreacting or responsible thing to do? That is the question I kept asking myself after I put together my printable quarantine checklist and bought two weeks worth of food and emergency supplies. But better to be safe than sorry, I thought. Having a plan in place is undoubtedly a sensible decision.

It all sounds like a sci-fi movie to me, but the news is clear; the number of people that tested positive for the virus is increasing by the day.

There is a real likelihood of towns being on lockdown, schools being closed as well as some disruption to public services if the UK experiences a large outbreak.

Would you blame anyone getting supplies for at least a week or two in case of home-isolation?

I'm a practical person, and I like to have a plan in place. If you are like me, you have been thinking about the same.

Getting Ready

Getting the household ready, and prepare for quarantine requires some planning.

Before rushing to the shop to buy every single thing that you believe you need, make a list of items you already have at home. Start with writing an inventory of your non-perishable food, hygiene products and medication. Try to calculate how much to buy to last you for at least a couple of weeks.

To make the preparation more manageable use a checklist. You can easily overlook essential items if you don’t get organised.

I wasn’t very happy with the emergency lists available online. So instead of getting into disorganise, chaotic shopping, I sat down and put together my own home-quarantine checklist. I did my best to create a practical guide for any responsible, rational person, especially with parents in mind.

But filling up your pantry isn’t the only thing you can do. To minimise the risk of catching the virus, we need to get better with hygiene and concentrate on our everyday habits.

Wash your hands

The best single piece of advice is to get into the habit of washing our hands more often - after using the toilet, before a meal, after being outside the house, after we cough or sneeze... you get the idea. We should wash our hands with soap for a period of at least 20 seconds. Yeh, I know, pretty challenging for younger kids?

You should also

• put used tissues in the bin
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• try to avoid touching your face, eyes and nose (that is entirely impossible for kids to do)
• avoid shaking hands to minimise the exposure
• don’t share your cutlery
• regularly wipe the dinner table and kitchen countertop with antibacterial wipes
• clean your bathroom often

Do you need to wear a face mask?

My understanding is that there is no need to wear a mask if you are healthy and avoid communal gatherings. However, if you are sick, wearing a mask is a responsible thing to do. A mask will prevent your germs from spreading and infecting others.

Our checklist

Here are examples of food and other products that can take you through several weeks of social distancing if necessary.

Protective wear:

Masks are recommended if you have flu-like symptoms or care about a sick person.

• mask respirator
• disposable gloves

Medication:

• prescription drugs you or your family members need
• over-the-counter medicine (including cold and cough medicines, pain relievers, medicine for upset stomach, vitamins)
•  first aid kit
• glasses and contact lenses

Hygiene: 

Pay special attention to hygiene products like hand soap, disinfectants, sanitisers and tissues. The health professionals emphasise how good hygiene reduces risks of contracting the virus or spreading it onto others.

• cleaning products
• hand sanitiser
• hand soap
• toothpaste
• toilet paper, tissues
• feminine care products
• antibacterial wipes 

Baby items: 

• nappies
• baby formula and baby food
• wet wipes

Other practical things to consider:

• pet food
• batteries (for a hearing aid, blood pressure monitor, remote controls)
• garbage bags
• duct tape
• can opener
• board games and card games
• books

Drinking-Water

I assume that most of us in the UK can drink water from the mains. If you need to buy drinking water, you should get 2 litres (½ gallon) of water per person per day. This amount doesn't include water for cooking, though.

Food

If you and your family are asked not to leave the house, you need to think about food. Here is a list of non-perishable and long-lasting food for your stockpile.

Non-perishable food / Pantry staples

Canned products:

• tomatoes /passata
• beans
• vegetables
• fish
• meat
• soups
• ready-made canned meals

Dry goods:

• rice
• pasta
• legumes & grains (beans, chickpea, lentils, quinoa, bulgar wheat, buckwheat)
• rolled oats
• stock cubes
• dried fruit & nuts
• cereals
• crackers
• coffee & tea
• powdered milk
• biscuits
• instant noodle mixes
• instant soup mixes

Pesto & Pasta sauces

Long-life milk

Honey, Preserves & Jams

Oils & Vinegar

Sugar & Sweeteners

Salt, Spices & Seasoning

Long-lasting vegetables

Most of these veggies will stay fresh for more than a month. Some of them are necessary to store in the fridge.  

• onion
• garlic
• potatoes
• root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, radishes, sewed, celeriac, beets)
• cabbage
• winter squash

Long-lasting fruit

Fruit, as well as vegetables, are an important source of vitamins and minerals. Refrigerate the fruit to make it last longer.   

• apples
• citrus fruit (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
• pomegranate

Long-lasting food for a fridge

Here are some examples of food that will last two and more weeks in the fridge.

• eggs (up to 5 weeks)
• semi-hard & hard cheese - cheddar, parmesan (from 6 weeks to 4 months)
• yoghurt (2 to 3 weeks)
• smoked & cured meat (2 weeks - 2 months)
• butter & margarine (3 + months)

Freezer

• meat (raw or cooked)
• bread & bakery goods
• cooked tomato sauce
• vegetables
• ready-made meals

Freezing Advice

If you have multiple freezers, you can stock up on cooked meals. There are many options for ready-made meals available in the shop, but it will cost you more. 

Consider homemade meals. A big pot of homemade tomato sauce is simple to make. Divide the sauce into portions - each enough for a family meal, and freeze them. This way you can defrost the right amount any time for a quick pasta dinner. 

Bolognese sauce is another perfect example of a batch cooked meal that freezes well. If you get bored of eating pasta bolognese, use the bolognese sauce to make cottage pie or turn it into chilli con carne. 

In case, you don't have such a luxury of a big freezer, you need to be wise with space and make the most of it. Freeze food that gives you multiple meals once cooked, like a chicken. Roast the legs and tighs; reserve the breasts for curry or enchiladas filling, and make soup from the bones.

Making a quarantine shopping list

Keep in mind that this isn't shopping for the festive season. Stock up on essential non-perishable food items and food that is easy to cook. Dry food like rice, pasta and beans should be on top of your list as well as canned food.

The amount of food you need to buy depends on a few factors - the period you want to cover and the number of people in the household you need to feed. We stocked up on food for a couple of weeks.

When planning your shopping list, think about the individual mealtimes. Preferably, you want to cook a simple, quick meal that everyone will eat. This is something you might find tricky if you have a fussy little eater. 

Consider changing your shopping habit for the time being. We now include more long-life food to our shopping list, instead of buying 80% of fresh, perishable food. This way we are expanding our quarantine supplies every time we go shopping.

Entertainment & Learning

The time can really drag when being in quarantine, and you and your little ones will get bored. Have a plan on how to entertain your kids. 

• TV (Netflix and Amazon Prime subscriptions)
• Computer games, X-Box, Nintendo
• Table games (the whole family can join in)
• Books
• Crafts & Art activities (Pinterest is full of ideas)

As children will likely spend several weeks off school, consider some form of learning activity at home. There are online websites that your kids can join if you don't feel competent to give them lessons. Research your options; some are free others require to pay for a membership.

Organise your time

Make a schedule for your kids' daily activities. Alternate between the time for education, screen time, time for playing board games, and include craft and art activities too. 

Set the rules in advance and make sure your kids acknowledge them. 

On a positive note, the home quarantine will give us lots of time to do things we don't usually have time to do. Use the opportunity to play your favourite game or watch a popular TV series (if your kids let you).

How do I feel about it

I don't feel guilty nor selfish for taking precautionary measures. This is a situation we have never faced before and as such, it’s scary and stressful for many of us. It’s difficult to imagine what life will be in the coming months. 

Maybe not much will change, but I know that having a sensible plan and a full pantry will help my family to deal with quarantine and other disruptions that the coronavirus outbreak might bring.

Disclaimer: 

Please note, that this article is only for informational purposes; we are not health advisors nor specialists for the coronavirus outbreak. We don't take any responsibility for your actions inspired by this post. 

I reserve the right to delete any inappropriate and disrespectful comments, but please feel free to comment with any helpful tips.