The second wave of infectious disease during a pandemic situation like the current one can be scary. However, preparing correctly will help you face any issues with the virus as cases start rising again. Here are a few ways you can make sure you’re ready for the next wave Of COVID-19.
Stock up on health monitoring equipment
As the second wave hits, hospitals will likely see an increase in patients, leading to another overfilled hospital situation that we saw earlier in the year. Grabbing a few things for at-home use can help you monitor your health and help you know when it’s necessary to get to the hospital.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that prevents oxygen from being thoroughly circulated through the body. A pulse oximeter is a device that detects the levels of oxygen in red blood cells. If you’ve come down with some symptoms but aren’t sure if it’s COVID-19, this device will help you see if your oxygen is getting low.
A thermometer is a standard at-home medical device, so if you don’t have one yet, go ahead and grab one or two to keep at home. Fever is usually the first sign of COVID-19, so ensuring you have a way to monitor temperature is an excellent start to staying on top of things.
Make your air great
As a respiratory illness, COVID-19 affects the sinuses, nose, throat, and lungs. To prevent yourself from getting sick, you’ll want to make sure that the air you’re breathing is clean and circulating.
Getting a small humidifier is a good start to toning your air. Viruses like coronavirus and influenza strive in cold, dry air, so you’ll want to increase the humidity in your home. One recent peer-reviewed study has revealed that a 10% drop in humidity could double COVID-19 infections. Therefore, increasing the house’s ambient moisture will make it less likely for the virus to live.
An air purifier is another portable device that works efficiently in the home. The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that air filtration is a good part of a larger plan to keep people safe while indoors. There are several different options for affordable air purifiers, so it might be worth having a look.
House plants are another great, but often overlooked, way to clean out the home’s air. Some house plants are known to remove pollutants in the air, proving useful in houses or businesses during this time. Besides air cleaning benefits, house plans also offer a mood boost that can reduce stress and improve the immune system.
Stay healthy at home
If your location is likely to go on lockdown or other restrictions, now is a good time to invest in some exercise equipment so you can workout at home. With winter coming on and gyms possibly closing for the second wave, you’ll want to be able to do everything inside your house.
It’s also a great idea to start stocking up on healthy food items for the pantry. Fresh produce doesn’t have a long lifespan, but frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh, and sometimes more so. Dry beans, lentils, and rice are good, healthy staples to have, especially for the winter.
You should also stock up on cleaning supplies and disinfectant wipes. You’ll want to clean regularly during the second wave to ensure that the virus doesn’t linger in your home.
Don’t forget to gather your stocks gradually. You want to be responsible and not contribute to purchasing panic.
Final Thoughts
The second wave of COVID-19 is most likely on its way to the United States, so proper preparation is crucial. In the event that you do get sick, call a nearby urgent care center for advice, information, or testing.
