So, you’re one of the 12 Aussies who doesn’t have COVID rn? Go you! But it might be wise to start to prepare for COVID.
This week, Australia nearly bagged the top spot on the global ladder of infections per capita as per the ABC.
Australia is now only behind Germany and the US in total cases recorded on a 7-day rolling average.
48,426 new cases in AUS
•17,674 PCR (19.86%🧪positivity)
•30,752 RAT7d avg up 875 on yday to 48,308
⬆️22% on last weekSince 25 Jan 2020:
Local Cases🦠6,528,690
Deaths🔴7,799 (+53)
PCR Tests🧪70,522,263 (+88,971)390,892 Active🟠(+18,893)
•2,956🏥(-32)
•122 ICU (-1) pic.twitter.com/Oy9FWvH5ZN— CovidBaseAU 🦠📊🇦🇺 (@covidbaseau) May 14, 2022
53 COVID-19 Deaths🔴today in 🇦🇺
◼️282 in the past week.
◼️7,799 since the pandemic began.Today / Week / Pandemic total
•NSW 19 / 92 / 2964
•VIC 22 / 94 / 3140
•QLD 5 / 35 / 936
•WA 2 / 21 / 174
•SA 5 / 31 / 414
•TAS 0 / 5 / 63
•ACT 0 / 3 / 58
•NT 0 / 1 / 50 pic.twitter.com/EdmUKw7MrT— CovidBaseAU 🦠📊🇦🇺 (@covidbaseau) May 14, 2022
Federal deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd has previously urged people to prepare for COVID.
“It’s important to be prepared because you won’t be able to go to your supermarket or pharmacy if you are diagnosed with COVID-19,” he said.
So if you get it, what do you need?
Take it from someone whose entire household caught the ‘vid on the same day and had to rely on friends and family to drop supplies off — there are a few things you can do while you’re still able to go to the shops.
Hit up the chemist
Make sure you’re fully stocked with paracetamol (eg Panadol) and ibuprofen (eg Nurofen) to treat symptoms such as fever, aches and pains.
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in some cold and flu pills, can also relieve symptoms like runny nose or sinus pains.
Throat lozenges can relieve the Omicron-specific sore throat or a raspy throat from coughing.
And get yourself some electrolytes, either powder, icy poles, or a natural alternative like a coupla slabs of coconut water. Hydration is absolutely key to recovery and managing symptoms, no matter what they are.
Do your grocery shopping
It’s important to make sure you’re eating properly while you’re sick, which means not skipping meals and getting a variety of nutrients.
Your body needs this variety to have the strength to fight the virus, and while we know there’s a food supply shortage at the moment, try shopping at your local small grocer or market rather than supermarket. Ordering fast food might be ~self care~ while you’re sick, but you need the health too, hunny.
Make sure you’ve got a few energy and nutrient-rich staples on hand over the next few weeks, such as dried or tinned legumes, tinned fish, eggs, nuts or nut butters and natural yoghurt. Check you’ve got a few packets of pasta or a big bag of rice in the pantry too.
Coming from experience, a little meal prep goes a long way when ya gotta prepare for COVID.
Make and freeze a few portions of daal, curry, pasta sauce or dumplings so you can just grab and reheat on your bad days. It’s way faster than ordering delivery anyway.
Prepare your home
If you live with others, make sure you have a plan for how you’ll handle the space if one of you gets sick. Isolating in your room is tough, but it could be necessary.
Even if you may not feel super anxious about catching COVID, your housemate might, so it’s important to have the conversation.
You’re likely going to be spending a lot of time in bed, so you might feel better knowing you’ll be isolating in a somewhat pleasant space.
COVID can be pretty stressful; you don’t want piles of dirty laundry adding to that.
Try to keep your bedroom tidy and make sure you have some clean sheets on hand should you want to freshen up.
COVID can also make the symptoms of asthma and hay-fever worse, so if dust or pet hair sets you off normally, make sure you’re vacuuming regularly in case you get sick.
All in all, may your symptoms be mild and your recovery quick. But should you need medical attention, make sure your loved ones know you’re sick and don’t be afraid to ask for help or a lift to the hospital.
And that’s (pretty much) all you need to prepare for COVID. Be safe and look after your loved ones.
