What to Stock up On in Case of Possible Coronavirus Quarantine in New York City

what to buy to get ready for coronavirus

If you’ve been following the COVID-19 headlines this week, you might be wondering what to buy to get ready for the Coronavirus. Don’t stress too much; the risk to New Yorkers is still low. So it’s definitely not the time to panic and buy 80 packs of toilet paper. (It’s New York – does anyone actually have the room to store 80 packs of toilet paper?) That being said, if you are feeling under the weather this flu season, it’s best to stay home and give your doctor a call. With that in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a few extra things during your weekly shop. Generally, you might want enough essentials to last about 14 days. So what might these essentials be?

Here’s What to Buy to Get Ready for Coronavirus:

1. Food

If you’re stocking up on food, remember to stick to canned, frozen and non-perishable food. That means fresh fruit and vegetables are not your best bet. Instead, stick to staples like pasta, rice, dried beans, frozen bread, dried fruit, frozen meat, and frozen veggies. Other options for what you can buy include peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, UHT milk and nuts. And don’t forget to treat yourself. Sweet treats like ice cream or popcorn are always good to have on hand. They might not have as much nutritional value as other foods, but they are always great to stash in the cabinets for a little treat or craving especially if you’re going to be keeping kids entertained indoors. Finally, if you have a baby, remember to pick up enough baby food/formula. And, if you have pets, don’t forget their food as well.

2. Hand Sanitizer

The good news about Coronavirus is that a decent disinfectant or hand sanitizer (alongside good hand-washing practices!) has been found to be very effective. Unfortunately, you might struggle to buy it over the counter these days. Several stores have reported selling out of hand sanitizer, and its prices have even been marked up on Amazon. If you do get stuck in a bind, then it’s actually easy to make your own hand sanitizer.

Stores have also reported selling out of surgical masks and gloves. If you didn’t manage to get your hands on them, don’t worry too much. Masks don’t do a very good job of preventing you from getting the virus. They’re mostly just effective at stopping you from passing it on. Similarly, gloves are likely to be ineffective because many things you touch while wearing them, you’ll also touch when you’re not wearing them. They’re also probably not going to stop you from touching your face anyways.

3. Liquids

While we don’t foresee any instances when New York City would lose power or running water (remember this is different from storm preparations!) it’s always worth having a supply of liquids with electrolytes in case you get sick. Consider buying some gatorade or coconut water just in case.

4. Medicine

If you take any regular medications, such as heart medication or insulin, it’s worth having at least a 14-day supply of those on hand. It’s also a good idea to grab cough drops or syrup since it’s sore throat season.

5. Home Essentials

This includes anything you need to keep your household running. Think toilet paper, toothpaste, laundry detergent, feminine products, tissue paper and diapers if you have a baby. If you have any pets, make sure to pick up anything they’ll need as well.

6. Other Miscellaneous Things You Might’ve Forgotten

If you’re buying canned goods, make sure you have a can opener. (It seems obvious, but can easily be forgotten). Consider how you might entertain kiddos, so consider popping some books, board games or toys for small children into your cart. 

Just Remember Not to Panic!

It’s important to be cautious, but it’s equally important not to panic. Remember, there are only eleven confirmed cases in the state right now, and the risk to New Yorkers is still low. According to the NYC DOE, schools have no immediate plans to close. Right now, it’s still business as usual (with a little more hand-washing and a little extra grocery shopping).

Relevant Directory Listings

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Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.</span></p>

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School’s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.</span></p>