The Public Health Agency of Canada is telling Canadians to be prepared in case there is a COVID-19 outbreak here. The government department says, “While the risk to Canadians is still low, it is important to be prepared at the individual and community level for all possible scenarios.”

If COVID-19 becomes common in the community, your plan should include how you can change your regular habits to reduce your exposure to crowded places. It should also include what you will do if you become sick. If you are a caregiver of children or other dependents, you will want to have thought ahead to engage backup caregivers. If you become ill, stay home until you are no longer showing symptoms.

Health Canada recommends having supplies on hand including prescription refills, and filling your cupboards with non-perishable food items. Keep it easy on the supply chain by gradually building up household stores instead of making large-scale purchases all at once. Add a few extra items to your grocery cart every time you shop with things like dried pasta and sauce, canned goods including soups. It is also a good idea to have extra stores of: Pet food, toilet paper, facial tissue, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.

In case COVID-19 strikes in your home you should also have on hand: Soap, facial tissue, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, paper towels, household cleaning products, regular detergents for washing dishes and doing laundry, fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen – this includes products for children if you are a parent or caregiver, plastic garbage bags for containing soiled tissues and other waste, and household bleach for creating a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to disinfect surfaces.