What are the essential items that should be in your personal pandemic stockpile? Viruses with pandemic potential like Covid19 can pass through populations like a wave taking several months.  As individuals we can protect ourselves much like nurses and doctors do in hospitals with personal protective equipment (PPE).  The items in a personal protective equipment stockpile should include:

1) Latex Gloves

Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.  Stock up on latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family).  Nitrile gloves are a good alternative for those with latex allergies.

Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious anywhere from minutes to about a week depending on the material - everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.

2) N95 masks (or surgical masks if you can't obtain N95 masks)

N95 masks, when worn properly are rated to filter out larger coronaviruses like Covid19.  Note that breathing while wearing this type of mask is not comfortable. Your face will be hot and moist due to the water vapour in your breath.  Nurses wearing N95 masks for extended time periods (eg.  during work shifts) complained that the masks were very uncomfortable causing face rashes).  The masks are not intended to be worn for extended time periods but if you are going out shopping for an hour then the masks should be bearable.  The best masks are rated N-95 with a 3 micron mesh barrier. Good mask fit is crucial for use.  Shave beards and mustaches.

While less efficient at blocking viruses surgical masks are also useful if N95 masks are in short supply.  Studies show that surgical masks will block larger droplets but do not work well for smaller airborne viruses.  Stock up during non-pandemic periods with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth many times a day without knowing it!  A 2016 study from New South Wales suggested people touched their faces about 23 times an hour). This is the only way this virus can infect you - it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth - it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth. 

There are many videos online to show you how to fit your N95 mask properly.  For example see:

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kIYxfJXfhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLsHsfpDMgA

3) Stock up with hand sanitizer

The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.

4) Use zinc lozenges

These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

5)  Other natural health products

Another natural remedy includes Sambu Guard  or Sambucol (a mixture of elderberry and Echinacea) with proven clinical studies to show it supports upper respiratory tract health, helps to support immune function, and provides a source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health. Sambu Guard can be purchased at Walmart, most pharmacies and health food stores. While it won't prevent Covid19 exposure it may help boost your respiratory health and immunity to fight off viruses and minimize symptoms if infected.

 

There will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available.  (Note that for every 100 people infected only 3-4 people will die from Covid19, the majority of people infected recover and report minor symptoms similar to a bad cold). 

We have a national stockpile so why not a personal stockpile?

Having a personal stockpile need not be a burden.  A small amount to last through the peak of a pandemic wave (weeks to a few months) is all  that is needed.

Did I miss any essential pandemic stockpile items?   ... let me know in the comments.