Hi, friends. So much is going on in the world right now, right? For years, we have taught the tactics of simplifying, organizing, and planning to help busy women simplify their lives. In the face of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we all feel everyday life thrown a little off kilter. I am not a medical professional or an expert on crisis preparation or management, so please heed the warnings of your local and national officials as well as your medical professionals. But I am a mom of three kids and a business owner. As an expert on simplifying, organizing, and planning, it's my hope that this blog post and the ones to follow will provide you with some level-headed, tactical, simple ideas for managing life and getting to the other side of this crisis, or any others that may present themselves down the road. I've gathered tips and tricks from our community (affectionately known as our Simplified Sisterhood) as well as from the seven women on our team. These blog posts will follow a Q&A type format so they are easy to read and simple to implement. We invite you to share your tips and tricks over on Instagram and in the comments here (we're working on having blog comments turned back on). The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) website is a great place to start when looking for reliable information.
Q: What cleaning supplies should I have on hand?
Here is a list of cleaning products compiled by The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC) that have been pre-approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against emerging enveloped viral pathogens and can be used during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I noticed a few Clorox brand products that we frequently use on the list. The CDC also recommends a mixture of 1/3 cup of bleach (unexpired) per gallon of water as effective against Coronavirus.
Q: Are there special ways I should clean outside of what I normally do?
We are being extra careful about wiping down doorknobs, light switches, and even cell phones. We use Clorox wipes or sanitizing wipes that contain 70%+ alcohol.
Q: What food and other staples should I have on hand, in the event of an emergency?
When preparing for an emergency, I typically plan for two weeks of food. Here in Florida, we plan for hurricanes often. I keep canned foods (beans, vegetables, tuna fish, fruits) on hand as well as frozen foods (meats, waffles, fruits, vegetables). I also check stock of paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, dishwashing pods, laundry pods, and toiletries. Also, don't forget medications, baby supplies, and pet supplies. We also stocked up on gatorade and water.
Q: What if I don't have a ton of space for back-stock?
Get creative. Store items under beds, on hard-to-reach shelves that aren't typically used, or on countertops if you need to.
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Here are a few resources that I've found helpful:
- The CDC's Resources for Households page
- The World Health Organization's Myth Busters page
- The New York Times Coronavirus Briefing email
- TODAY's Coronavirus Grocery List
Posts to come:
- Simple recipes for two weeks
- Screen-free activities for kids
- Television shows and movies to catch up on for kids and adults
- Avoiding loneliness if quarantined alone
- Why we love Annie F. Downs' Quarantine Bucket List idea
- How to help others during a crisis
- Tips for working remotely
- Working from home with kids
- A collection of good news emerging from the Coronavirus Pandemic
With love,
Emily & Team Simplified
