With the Coronavirus outbreak sweeping the globe, many have taken to panic buying and hoarding basic necessities and other supplies – so much so that the Coronavirus crisis even sparked a toilet paper crisis in some pats of the world.
Yes, preparation is essential as we all isolate our ourselves and stay home as we endeavor the virus from spreading and flatten the curve, but hoarding several months’ worth of supplies can put everyone at risk. Here’s why:
- Fear breeds fear
If people are panic-buying, everyone else follows. Photos of empty shelves can also spark panic in others (please stop posting those!), which can lead to high levels of anxiety (bad for the immune system) and even violence!
- It makes it harder for other people to provide for their families.
Not everyone can afford to stockpile food and supplies. Let’s not make it harder for them to have access to these when they need it. Do you really want to be responsible for depriving other families of supplies that you know will just be sitting in storage somewhere in your home?
- It can lead to waste
No one is sure how long it will be until this is all over, but honestly, are you going to eat ALL those cans of beans? Studies have also shown that panicking also leads to impulse and irrational purchases of unnecessary items which can lead to a waste of resources AND money.
- It increases the chance of a healthy person coming into contact with the virus
Empty shelves can lead to having to go to multiple stores in order to procure much-needed items, which raises the risk of infection and a higher possibility of that person bringing the virus back to their community.
- Hoarding masks and other protective gear can raise the risks of the outbreak
Healthcare workers and people on the frontlines need those masks and other protective gear as they continue to bravely battle the effects of the virus. Not having access to these puts them at greater risk of catching the virus. Less defenders and more patients is definitely not ideal.
- Hoarding alcohol, sanitizers and soap can facilitate the spread of the virus.
Hand washing and sanitizing our hands is vital in helping to stop the spread of the virus. If more people cannot properly sanitize themselves and their surroundings, it makes them vulnerable to the disease.
The Department of Homeland Security guidelines recommend buying enough food to last for two weeks at a time. Please purchase only what you know you will consume and save some for the others.
Let’s be compassionate. We’re all in this together and what we do can greatly impact others.
The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommends these guidelines to help protect ourselves and our loved ones:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
- Another alternative is to sanitize them with alcohol or alcohol-based hand gel
- Avoid handshake
- Stay away from large gatherings
- Clean and disinfect objects that are touched frequently
- Avoid public transportation and crowds.
- Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes to help keep germs out of your body.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the trash right away.
Medical experts say that if people over 60 are infected, they are more likely to have severe, life-threatening disease, even if their general health is good. Older people with underlying medical conditions are also at particularly high risk.
“These conditions can limit underlying reserve and lead to worse outcomes when older people become severely ill, which taxes all organ systems,” Dr. Annie Luetkemeyer, an infectious diseases specialist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, says, per The New York Times.
Experts recommend these added guidelines to help protect the elderly from the virus:
- Limit visits from outsiders – if seeing them is absolutely necessary, wear a mask and practice the necessary sanitation guidelines above. (If you or they employ health aids to assist them, don’t be afraid to talk to them with regards on how to avoid, or at the very least, minimize their exposure to the virus)
- Stay at home and cancel non-essential doctor’s appointments. Avoid social isolation by staying in touch with friends and family virtually (FaceTime, Skype, etc.)
- Talk to their doctor about stockpiling two or three months of any critical prescription medicines.
- Make sure they maintain good habits, including sufficient sleep, healthy eating and exercise.
- Think of alternative ways of how they can stay active in light of the social distancing being practiced.
With talk of the Coronavirus on everyone’s lips, children who hear these conversations may end up worrying about themselves and their family and friends. It’s also important that children are able to make sense of what’s going on around them to minimize anxiety and fear.
The CDC recommends these guidelines on how parents and trusted adults can talk to kids on the topic of the Coronavirus.
- Make yourself available to listen and to talk. Remain calm and reassuring throughout the conversation and avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma. Remember, children will react to both what you say and how you say it.
- Limit their exposure to news and stories about COVID-19. Too much information on the topic can lead to anxiety. Also make sure to explain that some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
- Provide information that is honest and accurate. Here are some talk points to help explain the virus:
- COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.
- Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get pretty sick.
- Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.
- Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs and help them form a handwashing habit.
Wash your hands. Boost your immune system. Stay inside. Together, we can flatten the curve!
Stay safe, everyone!
