Consumer Reports: COVID-19: What You Might Need If You're Quarantined at Home

[CousinIT]

https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/covid-19-what-you-might-need-if-youre-quarantined-at-home/

Despite what you might see others doing, there's no need to hoard supplies for an extended stay at home

. . .(I cut here but the entire article is worth a read - very common sense)

Next, make sure you have adequate supplies of certain items. What’s adequate? “My colleagues and I are recommending two weeks' worth of supplies like food and household goods,” says Kindrachuk.

Hand cleanser: Experts, including those at the CDC, say handwashing is our primary line of defense—so it’s worth making sure you have plenty of soap.

Each member of your household should be washing his or her hands many times a day, so expect to go through a lot. “Soap and water are the gold standard,” says Kindrachuk. Any liquid or bar soap is appropriate. Antibacterial soaps aren't necessary, because they don't kill viruses.

Though he says soap and water is the best approach, Kindrachuk acknowledges the importance of hand sanitizer. “It’s a quick fix,” he says. “You can’t always wash your hands every time you touch something.” Make sure it consists of at least 60 percent alcohol.

Cleaning products: Get in the habit of routinely cleaning any household surfaces that you frequently come into contact with. The CDC’s list includes countertops, faucets, door knobs, drawer pulls, light switches, computer keyboards, tablets, remote controls, toilets, telephones, and the handles of implements like brooms, mops, and pots and pans. Daniel Barnett, M.D., M.P.H., an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, suggests maintaining a list of these areas and a cleaning schedule so you don’t forget.

The coronavirus is effectively destroyed by almost any household cleaner or simple soap and water, Kindrachuk says. But if you want to be extra careful, he suggests using a homemade solution of nine parts water to one part bleach, or buying one of the disinfectant products on this list referenced by the CDC.

Don’t forget that you’ll also need plenty of paper goods: paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper, at a minimum. Consider picking up extra garbage bags, too, so you can safely toss contaminated tissues and paper towels.

Food: Barnett recommends buying a couple of weeks' worth of long-lasting staples like rice, beans, pasta, canned vegetables, and shelf-stable milk—again, not because such things are likely to become widely unavailable but to minimize the need to make extra trips to the market. Also consider stocking up on (or making a big vat of) chicken broth; there’s actually some scientific evidence backing up its reputation for relieving coughs. And make sure you have enough food for your pets, too. . . .

[Disaffected]

1. Shelf-stable milk is one way but

I've found that, if you have room in your freezer, freezing milk also works well (I use 1%). Just make sure the jug is not full to allow for expansion. I can't tell the difference between that and "fresh" milk after it is thawed (in the fridge).