We don’t want to cause any more panic or publish any misinformation. But, here’s what we do know. On March 11, 2020, “the spread of the new coronavirus has reached pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organization.”

As a result of the new coronavirus, major events are being canceled, schools are having extended spring breaks or switching to virtual learning, and many employers are telling their employees to work from home.

All of which is eliciting panic and causes people to rush to the stores to stock up on items as if they are facing a zombie apocalypse or a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, leaving shelves empty of items like toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer.

First, we recommend you follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public. This website covers everything from how to wash hands properly and practice social distancing, and they provide up-to-date, true information. Their main tips for protecting yourself against COVID-19 are:

• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds
• Practice social distancing
• Use a tissue when you sneeze or cough
• Avoid touching your face
• Don’t shake hands

Next, we also recommend these ways to take precautions from James Robb, MD, a former professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego who was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses. He recommends the following:

• Don’t use your fingers for elevator buttons, lights, switches, etc. Try to use your knuckles instead.
• Don’t hold handles to open doors – especially restroom doors. Try to use your hip or elbow wherever possible.
• Do use disinfectant wipes when they are available in stores to wipe carts and surfaces before touching them.
• Do try to find some zinc lozenges as they have been shown to help inhibit the spread of other strains of coronavirus in those who come into contact with it.

Still, all the unknowns are leaving parents unsure about how to prepare for a possible quarantine situation. To ease some of your anxiety, here are some actual things you can do that will make life easier if you are told to stay at home and your child’s school closes.

Buy food, but remember you can still cook

Since this is new territory, many parents don’t know what to buy. Many are going the traditional disaster preparation route when it comes to purchasing food. However, unlike a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake, you will still have power. This means you can cook food and do not have to live on just nonperishables. So, buy food you like to eat that won’t spoil too quickly.

Yes to water, but also yes to coffee

FEMA says families should “store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days, for drinking and sanitation” as part of their emergency preparation. This is regularly – not just during a pandemic. Again, water is important, but you will be able to drink other things. For example, if you know you need coffee to keep up with your kids, then stock up on coffee, too.

Get fun snacks and sweet treats

If you only purchase traditional nonperishable disaster food items, you will get bored of eating them very quickly. Just because you are stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to avoid eating fun snacks or sweet treats. Add a few of your kid’s favorites to your shopping cart.

Purchase a new board game and some crafts

While people are hoarding toilet paper, they are forgetting about entertainment. If you have kids, you know they are going to need to be occupied. This is the perfect excuse to buy a new board game and some craft kits. They’ll help the days stuck at home go by quicker.

Forget the sanitizer and just buy hand soap

Hand sanitizer is quickly selling out across the country and online. While it is super important to clean your hands, you can calm down a bit with hand sanitizer – especially if you are told to stay at home. If you are at home, you have quick and easy access to a sink where you can wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.

Be sure to have personal hygiene items and baby care items

When you go shopping, be sure you purchase feminine items in case your female family members are running low and stock up on baby care items (diapers, wipes, baby food, etc.) if you have a little one at home. These are things you use on a regular basis, so they will get used regardless of whether or not you wind up stuck at home.

Plan to loosen some of the rules and be strict with others

If you do end up in a situation where you are working from home and the kids are home from school, there are some things you will need to do to stay sane. For example, if you have strict time limits for electronics, you might want to loosen them a bit. On the other hand, if you are stuck indoors and the whole family is quickly turning into couch potatoes, you might want to turn on a YouTube exercise video to get everyone moving.

Stay connected

Finally, it is important to stay connected to others. Do your best to talk to friends, family, and carpool pals over Facetime or Skype. Send messages and pictures. Thankfully, today’s technology makes it easy to feel connected even when you can’t see one another face to face.

Remember to stay positive

As a parent, your children are taking cues from you on how to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19).  If you panic, your kids will panic. That’s why it is important to stay positive even if you are feeling a little anxious. Take deep breaths and go somewhere private in your house when you are having a moment.