Here’s the 411 on storm preparation in the COVID-19 era and beyond — just in case
If anything can nudge the coronavirus conversation to another topic, it’s South Florida in the cone of a storm.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center hasn’t upgraded the disturbance to a named Tropical Storm Isaias, but early projections suggest it could make its way toward the Bahamas and South Florida by the weekend.
Could.
The wouldbe Isaias is a big mess of wet and windy but it’s not forming a center, yet, and that makes forecasting its track that much harder.
Whatever this system does, or doesn’t do, the time has been here awhile to get your hurricane season preparations in order. Given the complications of COVID-19, the time is now to get supplies and a plan formulated.
COVID-era storm prep tips
▪ Get your non-perishables and supply kit stocked. This summer that kit will look a bit different.
“Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes [if you can find them] and two cloth face coverings for each person,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests.
Have extra batteries on hand.
Gas up your car.
Make sure you have your cellphones’ chargers at hand.
▪ Basic kit otherwise includes:
Emergency water supply.
Nonperishable and ready-to-eat food. The old standbys like canned beans and soups (if you cook with gas, you’re set; otherwise, in a pinch, room temp will keep you going. Peanut butter. Honey. Bread. If you consume specialty foods like nutrition drinks, have special dietary needs, infants at home, don’t forget to have extras on hand.
Prescription medications. If you’re running low, contact your pharmacy now to see if you can be replenished in a day or so.
Make sure your eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchair, walker and canes, contact lenses and cleaning solutions, and whatever assistive devices you use are within arm’s reach so you aren’t searching for them in a blackout.
Antibacterial wipes, first aid supplies, such as non-latex gloves, a thermometer, waterproof bandages and gauze, tweezers and scissors, infant and child care supplies.
Don’t forget your pets. They need their supplies, too. Dog and cat food lasts awhile, so an extra bag or some extra cans won’t hurt.
▪ Lube your shutters now. If you have the accordion style attached to your home’s windows they might be a bit frozen if you haven’t unfurled them in a year or so. A dash of WD-40 wouldn’t hurt. Keep the track’s path free of leaves and other debris so you can draw them closed with little fuss.
▪ Need plywood? Don’t wait until the day before a storm’s arrival to head to the hardware store. Don’t panic buy, either. If the disturbance bypasses us you’ll know you’re ahead of the next one — it’s Florida, there’ll be a next one — if you buy maybe one can of beans here, one tuna pack there, when you do your regular grocery shopping. A stocked pantry is a comforting thing. You don’t have to hoard, either.
▪ Evacuation plan.
Maybe for this storm, or maybe not, but given the enduring COVID-19 reality, which is likely to be with us through hurricane season at the end of November, knowing if your local public shelter is open, in case you need to evacuate your home and go there, is a wise thing to check ahead of time, the CDC says. “Your shelter location may be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Days ahead of the potential threat from (maybe) Isaias some folks we know in the upper Keys have already considered booking a hotel and finding a public garage to park their car in just in case the waters overflow their dock into their home’s garage. It’s happened before in big storms that don’t have to reach hurricane strength. Not a bad idea. Planning ahead brings some measure of peace of mind, especially when you have to juggle escalating coronavirus concerns.
In the shelter
If you do go to a shelter, make sure your supply kit includes the coronavirus-related items outlined above.
If you need to go to a disaster shelter, know the guidelines for staying as safe and healthy in a public disaster shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC says. Shelters will have new protocols that were not common during last season’s storms. You can help adhere to them by practicing social distancing, which means staying at least six feet away from others that are not members of your household. This is especially true for those who are more at risk, like the elderly or those with other health complications.
And keep an eye on your kids. This is not the time to let them run loose and engage with others they do not know.
Have several masks on hand.
Avoid touching high-touch surfaces like handrails as much as possible. This is why you’ll want to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol immediately after you touch these surfaces.
If you are not feeling well, you need to tell a staff member at a shelter. This is for your protection and others’ safety.
COVID testing, calming
Thinking of getting a COVID test? State run sites may shut as early as Thursday afternoon to ride out any threatening storm, especially if watches or warnings are issued.
Still stressed? Play Taylor Swift’s new surprise album, “folklore,” as needed. Many listeners have proclaimed its music “soothing” and “calming.” We’ll go with that.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Here’s the 411 on storm preparation in the COVID-19 era and beyond — just in case."
