5 Products You Can Buy to Protect Yourself From COVID-19

Don’t Panic. Prepare.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created widespread panic. Scared citizens flooded supermarkets and bought up as many items as their carts could hold. What differentiates those who are prepared from those who are panicking is education. Preppers know what products to buy and why they should buy them. They’re learning how people become infected and how to protect themselves. Those who are panicking, however, are buying so much toilet paper that it’s now in short supply. To be clear, COVID-19 does not cause diarrhea. People just aren’t thinking rationally! Let’s therefore discuss the rational ways in which we can respond to this pandemic. Below are 5 products you can buy to protect yourself from COVID-19.

1. UV Phone Cleaner

Even when we’re not experiencing a global pandemic, phones are full of germs. We rest them on public surfaces, touch them with our dirty hands, and occasionally let others use them. How often do you take your phone to the bathroom with you? I’m sure you wash your hands after you finish your business, bu

t do you wash your phone? The CDC states that the current evidence suggests COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for hours to days. It’s therefore critical that you clean your phone thoroughly and often. The best way to do this is with a UV phone cleaner.

A UV phone cleaner kills germs using germicidal LED lights. Certain models sanitize your phone faster than others. I personally have the HoMedics UV-Clean Phone Sanitizer, which works quickly and effectively.

2. Surface Cleaners

Your phone isn‘t the only surface you should be cleaning! At this point, we should be engaged in social distancing to avoid becoming infected and infecting others. This is one of the most effective ways in which we can flatten the curve. What’s to say, though, that we didn’t already bring the virus home with us? You can potentially spread COVID-19 up to 48 hours before you develop any symptoms. It’s important you clean surfaces at home to avoid infecting your family. If you have family members who are especially at risk (elderly or immunosuppressed), then take surface cleaner and give your home a scrub. At the end of the day, you don’t just want to protect yourself from COVID-19. It’s also necessary to take precautions for the benefit of your loved ones.

3. Gloves

COVID-19 isn’t likely to go away soon. A second wave is probable, given how easily the virus is transmitted. If we look back at history, we’ll see the second wave of Spanish Flu of 1918 was deadlier than the first. Knowing this, when social distancing measures are no longer recommended, we should still wear gloves in public places. Though we may think COVID-19 is gone, we need to protect ourselves from the second wave. Again, the virus can remain viable on surfaces. We should be wearing disposable gloves to reduce our risk of contaminating our hands. Feeling the gloves on your hands will also help to remind you not to touch your face. This will help you protect yourself from COVID-19.

4. Face Mask

COVID-19 is primarily spread through tiny droplets emitted when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. As discussed above, these droplets can survive on surfaces. It’s important, then, that the sick wear face masks to prevent themselves from infecting others. Healthy people should wear face masks under two conditions:

1. They’re caring for a sick person

2. They want to further restrict themselves from touching their own faces

Healthcare professionals need all the face masks they can get. It’s important that we don’t prevent them from getting access to desperately needed supplies. When the madness of this first wave dies down, it may be a good idea to purchase a face mask in anticipation of the second wave. In combination with gloves, you can more easily protect yourself from COVID-19.

5. Food

Many countries have mandated that citizens living in hot spots undergo quarantines. Cities that are normally bustling with activity now resemble ghost towns. Because access to food in a quarantined area is limited, you should build a cache of food while you can. Pasta, frozen food, canned goods, and other non-perishables are essential. We don’t know how long it’s going to take for social distancing and quarantine measures to relax. We should therefore over prepare. I suggest you have enough food to last you and your family at least two weeks. It’s better to have more than you need than to go hungry.

Bonus: Bidet

No one wants to encounter the nightmare scenario of running out of toilet paper. With supply under pressure, we need to consider other options. While I’m clearly joking, it’s worth noting that many countries use bidets. Using a bidet is actually cleaner than using toilet paper. Do I think that COVID-19 will push the US to more widely adopt bidets? Of course not. I will say, though, that if you have a bidet, you won’t be competing with panic buyers clearing out the toilet paper aisle. It’s best to stay clean while under quarantine (and I’m not necessarily saying Charmin Clean).

Protect Yourself from COVID-19

The best way to avoid panic is by proactively preparing. The panic buyers aren’t focusing on the lessons China learned while contending with the coronavirus. They instead waited until markets grew volatile and grocery store shelves grew bare to begin their preparations. If you want to protect yourself from COVID-19, you need to think rationally. Stay calm, stay current on the latest updates, and continue to educate yourself about the threat. Simple advice is often sound advice. I hope you consider the advice I have to share.

Do you have any suggestions about how you can protect yourself from COVID-19? Leave a comment below or contact me directly. If you’re interested in other prepper gear, you can visit the Bunker Basics store.