knapplc
Active member
It's looking more and more likely that a lot of us will be working from home for a portion of the next several weeks, or even quarantined at home if things get bad.
We've also seen that people are panic-buying supplies - but the wrong ones! Sure, toilet paper is nice to have on hand, but it's not an essential when you're house-bound for two weeks.
Here's a common-sense list of stuff you should have on hand in case of quarantine:
FOOD
Dried beans - You have to soak them for 24 hours, but they're better than canned. Or just buy canned.
Rice - world-wide staple that can be used in 1,287,236 dishes. The one thing you HAVE to buy.
Canned meats, soups, stews - Something soothing like chicken noodle if you're sick. Something wholesome & filling if you're just hungry
Canned veggies & fruit - they last longer than fresh fruits & contain tons of vitamins
Salt & Pepper
Coffee or tea (if you drink foo-foo drinks, you're going to have a bad time)
Dried fruits & nuts - Healthy, easy snack food requiring no prep
Potatoes - I just bought a 10lb bag for maybe $3.50. There's a million ways to make potatoes, and they're filling.
Onions - a 3lb bag should set you back about $3.00 and they'll add a ton of flavor to your food
Garlic - A few heads of garlic can be a godsend, and like onions they'll stay edible for a two-week quarantine
Cooking oil
Big bag of frozen Chicken Breasts
Hamburger - 5lb, frozen
A couple of roasts like chuck roast or pork shoulder. You can get several meals out of this if they're big enough. Easy to make, filling & long-lasting.
Bullion cubes! These things aren't the best food in the world, but they can make a palatable broth and they're cheap & shelf-stable.
Spices - go through your spice cabinet & make sure you're topped off.
Get your favorite sauces, too. Sriracha, ketchup, mayo, soy sauce, whatever. Don't eat bland food if you don't have to!
I know not everyone has a huge freezer, so if you're dealing with a relatively small fridge/freezer in an apartment, buy more canned meat than frozen.
Some people are buying up water. OK, that's not an awful idea, but it's not crucial. We're not likely to lose utilities like water & gas, so save your money. If anything, buy a water filter, like this.
MEDS & STUFF
Refill your prescription meds! Talk to the pharmacist and/or your insurance provider now about refills. Don't wait until you're stuck in the house - or sick - to try to refill these.
OTC Cold/Flu medicine. Don't wait until you're sick to get cough syrup, ibuprofen, TheraFlu, Gatorade (for electrolytes) or pedialyte if you don't want the sugar
Soap. Cannot stress enough how crucial this will be.
Shampoo, body wash, etc.
All your feminine hygiene products. This doesn't apply to most of us here, but if you're the purchaser for your house & you have girls, get what they need.
All your baby products - diapers, wipes, formula/baby food, aquaphor, all that stuff.
Also, for those of you who have pets, get enough food to last the little guys, including treats.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Laundry soap, dish soap... anything you need to clean your dishes.
Paper towels
Rags, sponges, or whatever you use to clean up.
Here's a list of the EPA's essentials for COVID-19 cleaning products.
If people get shut in and need some simple recipe ideas, ask and I'll post some basic stuff here.
We've also seen that people are panic-buying supplies - but the wrong ones! Sure, toilet paper is nice to have on hand, but it's not an essential when you're house-bound for two weeks.
Here's a common-sense list of stuff you should have on hand in case of quarantine:
FOOD
Dried beans - You have to soak them for 24 hours, but they're better than canned. Or just buy canned.
Rice - world-wide staple that can be used in 1,287,236 dishes. The one thing you HAVE to buy.
Canned meats, soups, stews - Something soothing like chicken noodle if you're sick. Something wholesome & filling if you're just hungry
Canned veggies & fruit - they last longer than fresh fruits & contain tons of vitamins
Salt & Pepper
Coffee or tea (if you drink foo-foo drinks, you're going to have a bad time)
Dried fruits & nuts - Healthy, easy snack food requiring no prep
Potatoes - I just bought a 10lb bag for maybe $3.50. There's a million ways to make potatoes, and they're filling.
Onions - a 3lb bag should set you back about $3.00 and they'll add a ton of flavor to your food
Garlic - A few heads of garlic can be a godsend, and like onions they'll stay edible for a two-week quarantine
Cooking oil
Big bag of frozen Chicken Breasts
Hamburger - 5lb, frozen
A couple of roasts like chuck roast or pork shoulder. You can get several meals out of this if they're big enough. Easy to make, filling & long-lasting.
Bullion cubes! These things aren't the best food in the world, but they can make a palatable broth and they're cheap & shelf-stable.
Spices - go through your spice cabinet & make sure you're topped off.
Get your favorite sauces, too. Sriracha, ketchup, mayo, soy sauce, whatever. Don't eat bland food if you don't have to!
I know not everyone has a huge freezer, so if you're dealing with a relatively small fridge/freezer in an apartment, buy more canned meat than frozen.
Some people are buying up water. OK, that's not an awful idea, but it's not crucial. We're not likely to lose utilities like water & gas, so save your money. If anything, buy a water filter, like this.
MEDS & STUFF
Refill your prescription meds! Talk to the pharmacist and/or your insurance provider now about refills. Don't wait until you're stuck in the house - or sick - to try to refill these.
OTC Cold/Flu medicine. Don't wait until you're sick to get cough syrup, ibuprofen, TheraFlu, Gatorade (for electrolytes) or pedialyte if you don't want the sugar
Soap. Cannot stress enough how crucial this will be.
Shampoo, body wash, etc.
All your feminine hygiene products. This doesn't apply to most of us here, but if you're the purchaser for your house & you have girls, get what they need.
All your baby products - diapers, wipes, formula/baby food, aquaphor, all that stuff.
Also, for those of you who have pets, get enough food to last the little guys, including treats.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Laundry soap, dish soap... anything you need to clean your dishes.
Paper towels
Rags, sponges, or whatever you use to clean up.
Here's a list of the EPA's essentials for COVID-19 cleaning products.
If people get shut in and need some simple recipe ideas, ask and I'll post some basic stuff here.
