I texted my husband today, feeling kind of ridiculous:
“I’ve gotta do it… I’m running to Costco for toilet paper and boxed macaroni. You know — coronavirus.”
He laughed at me, but I consoled myself with the fact that at least I wasn’t buying dehydrated eggs… yet.
Costco was crowded — and I had to laugh, because nearly every cart had bottled water, that giant pack of toilet paper, and some form of kid bribe in it — preparing for maybe being stuck inside with our children for a long period of time. (Also, I witnessed lots of really jumpy people anytime someone coughed!)
I keep wrestling with this coronavirus thing. Are we overreacting? Or might I actually be trapped in my house with my kids if schools have to close?
I’m finding it difficult to know how to respond in a prepared but not fear-based way. Are we heading toward quarantines and need to stock up on shelf-stable goods? Should we expect that it’s essentially a new variety of the flu and therefore not a huge deal for people who are not immuno-compromised? I have friends who are stockpiling powdered milk, while others are planning spring break travel without worry.
The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that we should all be washing our hands with soap and warm water (for at least 20 seconds) more often. Easier said than done with kids, right? Here’s my quick and easy tip to help keep everyone healthy: Have your kids sing the alphabet song once or happy birthday song twice while washing hands. My kids think it’s hilarious, and it gets them scrubbing for the full 20 seconds. (And don’t forget: front, back, and in between fingers.)
