When the pandemic hit the first time around, ever, in our modern history, it hit everyone like a ton of bricks of a color we had never seen. We had no clue what to expect. Toilet paper prices soared, food flew off the shelves and kids thought they'd return to school in weeks (LOL). Well, we are no longer the naive humans we once were. If a second wave should hit, and it's looking that way in the US, it is imperative to be prepared.
And it won't be hard to do. We know what to expect. We know what to grab in advance, and the things we will need to get ourselves, and our kids with their remote learning, through these hard times. Some items, like toilet paper, the beloved toilet paper, are obvious, but important to include, because complacency. Others are forgotten, and that is why we wanted to create this list. Have it in a tab or print it out. No matter what, wear a mask and stay safe.
Deep Freezer
Deep freezers aren't the sexiest products to buy, especially heading into the winter where most states will become much chillier than they were in the spring and summer. But during a pandemic, it's a smart move to make. It can hold all frozen foods that will come in handy should grocery stores became risky places to visit again.
Black Angus Craft Burgers
Speaking of frozen meals, there's no point in having a nice freezer without any frozen foods to stock it with. Burgers, whether they're meat, veggie, soy or something else, are sold in bulk packaging by places like Costco and make affordable and easy dinners that last.
Paper Towels
Paper towels. As the president has shown after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, paper towels are one of those luxuries people don't realize they need until they don't have any. Should there be another mass hoarding event in the paper products aisle, it'll be good to have already stocked up on these ahead of time.
Toilet Paper
Add speaking of paper products, this wouldn't be a COVID-19 stock up list if we didn't include everyone's favorite product to have on hand: toilet paper. For a second wave, it's clear no one needs to worry about needing toilet paper to survive, but it's always good to have for the folks who clear out the shelves thinking they do.
Bush's Pinto Beans
$5
from
Sam's Club
Beans, beans, beans. They're one of those items that get a bad rap but are actually quite tasty and are on the list of items that can be stored in the panty for use at any time. Make them with rice or have them with a steak dinner. They're healthy, filling, and won't go bad.
Boxed Pasta
Pasta is one of those meals that is so easy anyone can cook it, and it's also affordable and necessary to have in a pandemic for two reasons: Pasta doesn't go bad and a box or two will feed a lot of people. Great for dinner when the shelves are empty of everything else. And the second reason is that should someone come down with a cold or COVID, it's a meal that families can make easily and quickly. It took months for pasta to return to shelves after the initial panic buys in the spring.
Non-Contact Thermometer
Thermometers seem like an obvious thing to have so we can check temperatures easily. But these sold out in the spring. No matter if it's a contactless thermometer like this one or the kind that goes under the tongue, it will make deciding whether or not to seek medical help an easier decision if it's clear there are symptoms.
Vitamins
During the first wave, shelves were empty of many things in stores, and of those things, vitamin C was among them. It's always good to have vitamins, but during cold and flu season, and maybe even COVID part two (or three) season, taking a daily vitamin could be one of the ways to keep up a healthy immune system.
Purell Hand Sanitizer Soothing Gel
At this point, having hand sanitizer on the list of COVID needs seems unnecessary, but it's important to remember to stock up. If things get bad again, or continue to get worse, we want to have sanitizer on hand. Get it before it sells out.
Hand Cream
Washing hands is better than using hand sanitizer, when possible of course, but in the winter, when its also dry and cold, dry hands get even worse. Get ahead of the weather and grab some super moisturizing hand lotion. CeraVe is highly regarded and available at most drugstores.
Monitor
No one expected to work from home at first, so we all had to scramble to put together our at-home work stations, if one was lucky enough to be able to work remotely. Now that we're almost all pros, it might be a good idea to buy a monitor for work, or for kids who are doing distance learning for the foreseeable future.
Computer Chair
$92
from
Joss and Main
Monitors are great to have in a space, but one of the most important thing to have in an office or school at-home learning area is a comfortable place to sit. With the cold weather, there will likely be even fewer outside walks happening to stretch the legs, and having sore backs will just not be good. Get ahead of the comfort curve.
Blue Light Glasses
Working from home or learning from home is comfortable for many, especially considering PJ bottoms have become standard uniform for it. But it also requires staring at screens for hours on end. Protect the eyes from straining and the blue light emitted from them with blue light glasses, like these from BluBlox.
Puzzles
$15
from
Serious Puzzles
So on one hand there's an overload of technology, but on the other hand, the pandemic has also given us a deeper appreciation for non-tech things, too, or the old-school way of things. That is why getting more puzzles might be a good idea before a second wave. Not just to have safe fun inside, but also because of the weather. Win-win!
Board Games
Another way to have fun inside is with board games. If we have to go on another lockdown or need to social distance from seeing friends, kids especially, it's a good idea to find ways to keep everyone entertained. Board games are a great way to do that, so stock up early before everyone else thinks of it.
Exercise Bike
Gyms are open in some places, but all it takes is one positive test or an outbreak to have them closed down. Take advantage of the time at home by getting a piece of exercise equipment that can be used for indoor cardio when the gym is not the safest place to be.
Stocking Up On Prescriptions
When things got real this spring, people were advised to stock up on their prescriptions if possible in case deliveries or shipping was delayed due to essential worker issues. This also rings true for a second wave. Ask the pharmacy or check out services like PillPack.
Home Printer
Just when people assumed they wouldn't ever need a home printer, boom, a pandemic occurs. Stores like Staples are closed and that beloved office printer isn't accessible. Sometimes, we have to bite the bullet on things and getting a printer is one of those bullets to bite.
Warm Masks
Last but not least, this wouldn't be a COVID list without the most important item to have during this time: a face mask. Masks are one of the biggest ways to prevent transmission and stay safe, and keep other vulnerable people safe as well. With the weather changing, they could be new fashionable ways to keep warm.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
