Have a Solid Emergency Preparedness Plan in These Trying Times

As the Coronavirus has rapidly spread across the world and the USA, local, national and international governments are taking drastic steps to slow the rate of infection in an effort to curtail the spread of the virus. These include encouraging social distancing and self isolation, and in some cases, enforcing measures such as forced quarantine and isolation, or stay at home orders and lockdowns that require citizens to shelter in place. This article provides some emergency preparedness tips outlining how you can protect yourself and limit your exposure to the potentially deadly coronavirus, as well as links to resources that will improve your emergency preparedness in the event that you are forced to shelter in place and will be confined to (hopefully the relative safety of) your home for an extended period.

Protect yourself from inhaling the virus

Surgical face masks were designed specifically for use by health professionals in order to prevent them from spreading bacteria in any aerosols or liquid droplets they may emit from the mouth or nose while operating on or attending to a patient. They were not designed to offer a wearer protection against any airborne bacteria or viruses that they may inhale, and therefore offer minimal, if any, defense against coronavirus. Respirator masks, such as N95 and N99 face masks which are recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer the user protection against most air contaminants, afford the wearer better protection from bacteria and viruses due the material used as well as their face-hugging shape and snug fit. The difference between the two is that an N95 mask is certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to filter out 95% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 μm or greater in diameter — which is the approximate size of a single virus, and includes particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollutants. A N99 Face mask such as the N99 Viramask, by comparison, is certified to filter out 99% of airborne contaminants measuring 0.3 μm or greater in diameter. A N99 face mask will therefore offer the user more protection against airborne viruses such as coronavirus. The Viramask has a unique patented ViraSeal™, ensuring a snug fit and tight seal that offers 100 times the protection of normal N95 face masks.

Sanitize potentially contaminated surfaces

While basic hygiene practices such as washing hands regularly and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill any germs you may have picked up are recommended, to limit transmission of the virus it is also advisable to disinfect surfaces in high traffic areas such as hand-railings and door knobs for example, as well as surfaces in food preparation areas. Use a disinfecting virucide, such as Staph Control that is proven capable of killing potentially harmful viruses such as MRSA and human coronavirus (SARS, MERS) in the past. Staph Control, which kills human coronavirus in 3 minutes and has a residual efficiency of 24 hours, is the only product on the market that is safe to use around both people and pets, which is important, as you may very likely be confined to your home due to a stay at home order or lockdown requiring you to shelter in place.

Sheltering in place

The DVD 'Shelter in Place' offers extensive tips on how to use your home as a fallout shelter in the event of a national emergency, including tips on how to protect your home from biological agents. The DVD was developed and directed by Wayne Labarron, who has served as a health physicist, Director of Environmental Health, Communicable Disease Specialist in the Central Utah District, and has also worked as a specialist for the US Government. The easy-to-follow instructions in the video are presented by a stay-at-home mom who provides a visual step by step guide that will enable anyone to convert their home into a safe shelter during an emergency situation or health crisis.

Most importantly, don't panic. Stay calm and take precautions to protect yourself from exposure and make sure you are adequately prepared. Learn how to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak here. Follow the news to keep abreast with the latest updates. Self isolate wherever possible, practice social distancing, and if need be shelter in place. Stay safe people.