It has been Suggested that we “Prep” for “Significant Disruption” for the Arrival of the Impending Coronavirus. Are you Prepping? Would you Like to Know How I am Preparing?

Today, I had a Google alert ping my phone with a warning that the CDC put out stating that Americans should start preparing for not “if” but “when” the Coronavirus is going to disrupt our lives here in the States.

Everyday this virus is becoming more and more dramatic in the media and on social media which is spreading fear and creating chaos. Locally, the other day, I was in the grocery store and the few people who I was with at the checkout where discussing “what-ifs” if they were to contract the virus. And regularly my kids are coming home from school sharing what they have heard at school from classmates (out of the mouths of babes) about the Coronavirus which is mostly inaccurate information.

I don’t want to come across that I am making light of a virus that has been dangerous for the very old, the very young, and those who have a weak immune system and has unfortunately claimed a lives.  This “fire drill” however, is giving me flashbacks to the Swine Flu (which was considered a “Flu Pandemic” back in 2009, which everyone panicked about), as well as the Bird Flu, the Zika Virus, Ebola, and let’s not forget SARS and MERS.

As I write this today, in China, more than 50 million people are on lockdown as authorities race to try to contain the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus that has killed at least 80 people and infected thousands of others so far. News of the virus has prompted some concern in the United States, but a more common virus is posing a greater threat to Americans — the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that so far this season, there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses for the 2019-2020 season, 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths in the U.S. The CDC reports there have been 54 reported flu-related pediatric deaths this season from Influenza B viruses.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the flu causes up to 5 million cases of severe illness globally and kills up to 650,000 people annually.

I am not a doctor so this isn’t actual medical advice, but would you like to know how I am prepping for my family? At this time, I am making sure that I have the following on hand, (which we already do, as it is flu and cold season): Tea, water and soup (fluids), Tylenol/Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, Elderberry Syrup, and an essential oil roller bottle mixture that I refer to as a “flu and cold bomb” (that I put on my kids or myself whenever we start to feel under the weather). Perhaps I will also make sure that I have a bottle or two of wine on hand, and a box or two of Girl Scout Cookies in the event the event that we have to hunker down. Panic is not part of my prep process.

All kidding aside, in our household, we are taking this “warning” in stride.  How about you?

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