How to prepare your family for COVID-19
Late on Monday, March 2, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that two cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, had been confirmed in Georgia. This comes one week after health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that that virus would soon be spreading within U.S. communities.
Georgia health officials echoed the CDC’s guidance that families need to be prepared for an outbreak close to home. The first thing families in Georgia need to do is create a household plan of action.
This plan should include:
- A list of supplies the family would need to sustain itself in the case of a community quarantine. Think food, water, medication, pet food and toiletries.
- A plan of action if a member of the family gets sick.
- A plan for child care if school or day care is closed.
- A plan for care if home health aides can’t attend a loved one.
When it comes to food:
- You’ll need enough food to last for at least two weeks.
- Stock up on canned foods, frozen foods, and dry goods.
- Think about meals that you can prepare without power, just in case there are utility gaps.
- Have a supply of water on hand for drinking, but also for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
- Refuel generators and gas grills now.
- And stock up on your favorites, especially if you have a picky eater in the family.
If a member of a family begins to show signs of a cold or flu, the family needs to have a plan for how that sick loved one will be isolated from other family members and who will take the lead on their care. Needs will look different for each family.
For families with kids: Get in touch with schools and child care centers so that you know what their plans are in the case of a local confirmed case of coronavirus.
For families with older or ill loved ones: Get in touch with the long-term care facility to learn what its plans are to keep the community safe. If a loved one needs to be moved in with the family, start planning now to prepare that room for their unique accessibility needs.
For families with a disabled loved one: Have all the medication and tools you need to manage at home, and get in touch with any specialty care provider to get their input on your household care plan.