Pandemic
While the symptoms or severity of future pandemics are impossible to predict, supplies should be kept on hand to protect yourself from airborne, droplet, common vehicle, and contact transmitted viruses. Supplies should also be stockpiled that might mitigate the effect of the most common symptoms, and you should be prepared to safely isolate and treat family members who fall ill.
Viruses capable of causing a pandemic have surfaced every ~four years since the late-1990’s (e.g. SARS, H5N1, H1N1, Ebola). The existence of COVID-19 is not an outlying event; our collective inability to control it is the outlier.
A rash of supply chain and administrative failures in 2020 highlighted the need for self-reliance. Smart organizations and individuals should account for near-term COVID-19 variants and potentially deadlier pandemics when considering future risks.
Pandemic Stockpiles Should Include:
The Basics
Refer to the Basic Stockpile List, including all items for Sheltering-In-Place.
Take special note of the following items: Personal sanitary items, first aid kit
N95 Respirators
N95 Respirators / What to know?
While plenty of face masks exist on the market, only N95 respirators provide medical-grade protection against infectious droplets and hazardous air particles. A proper N95 respirator will be National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved and FDA cleared for medical use. Non-FDA cleared masks are generally designed for industrial purposes that do not consider medical uses.
Note that:
• N95 means the respirator is capable of blocking out 95% of particulates in the air when properly worn.
• Despite the confusing name, a KN95 is not an N95 respirator. KN95s are unregulated and the majority provide inferior filtration.
• Avoid exhalation valves, which defeat the respirator’s ability to protect others from you.
• Pay close attention to authenticity given rampant counterfeits.
N95 Respirators / Where To Buy?
Disinfectants & Sanitizers
While your basic stockpile kit should include bleach and hand sanitizer, there are a range of cleaning supplies that can help mitigate against the threat of infectious diseases, including disinfectant spray, wipes and solutions, alcohol wipes, disinfectant lights, and SANI-foggers.
Air Purifier
An air purifier can help mitigate the risk of an airborne virus by capturing unsafe droplets and pushing clean air back out into a room. Look for High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) certified filters, which can trap 99.7% of particles as small as .3 microns (the size of most penetrating air particles). Portable air filters can be moved from room to room, while others can be installed directly within your HVAC system.
You should also check to make sure your air conditioner comes equipped with high efficiency filters.
Immune Support Supplements & First Aid Supplies
The first aid kit included in your basic stockpile kit should include items like tissues, throat lozenges, eye drops, a thermometer, and over the counter pain relievers. Consider purchasing immune system boosting supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Elderberry, which may boost your natural defense against infectious diseases.
Caring For Infected Individuals
If a member of your household falls ill, you may need more supplies beyond basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In addition to medical gloves, an N95 respirator, and a face shield, a coverall suit provides an additional top-to-bottom layer of protection. A designated hamper should be used to store or dispose of a sick individual’s clothing, and plastic bags can be used to dispose of clothing and other items that have come in contact with an individual carrying an infectious disease.
