Have you got your Covid survival kit together? New Zealand’s Unite Against Covid-19 website offers a comprehensive guide to help you stay safe and be prepared when isolating at home.
Your Covid survival kit
Get prepared ahead of time and stock up on a wellness kit to help you manage symptoms while at home. Here’s a handy checklist:
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Gloves
- Tissues
- Thermometer
- Pain relief (e.g, panadol, ibuprofen)
- Hydration (e.g, Hydralyte)
- Throat lozenges
- Cough medicine
- Ice blocks
- Vapour rubs
- Cleaning products
- Rubbish bags
- Prescribed medicines
You should also consider gathering some boredom busters to keep you entertained, such as magazines, books, puzzles, games, or even a list of the latest TV shows to watch.
Make a plan
The Unite Against Covid-19 website recommends making a plan so you know what to do if someone in your household contracts Covid-19. Here are some keys areas to consider:
- List household information: Make a list of every household members names, ages, NHI numbers, any medical conditions and medication(s) they normally take.
- Make a list of support people: “Identify people outside of your home who could help if your household is isolating, for example by dropping off food or supplies. Services like The Student Volunteer Army might be able to help with drop offs and Work and Income may be able to help with costs.”
- Notify people that you are isolating: It’s important to stay connected with your loved ones. Let family and friends know your situation and discuss how you’re going to let potential visitors know your household is isolating. “This could be a sign for your front door or fence and having a QR code poster so people can keep track of where they have been. If people are helping with contactless drop offs, do you want them to text or message before they arrive? Beep the car horn from the gate? Use an agreed entrance?”
- Write down instructions: If you have to leave your home and go into managed isolation or hospital, be prepared by having a list of pre-written instructions for caring for pets, watering plants and other household duties.
- Map out the home to minimise spread: If one person in the household is isolating with Covid-19 from others, have a plan for how you will divide up the spaces and which areas are shared or not. Set up a sanitising station in shared areas to further reduce the risk of spread.
Visit the Unite Against Covid-19 website for more tips and click here to download the Covid-19 Readiness Checklist.
