“This is the new normal.”
If you had a nickel for every time you heard that phrase, am I right? But it’s true. This virus isn’t going away overnight. Some of us have been quarantined for going on two months now. Some areas are slowly opening back up.
But the truth is, many things have changed. Social distancing is the new handshake. Video calls are the new meetings. Drive-by birthday greetings are the new birthday parties.
It’s surreal, and devastating, and also terrifying. But, we are smart humans. We know that we need to be careful about things in order to remain safe, and to keep our kids safe, from this pandemic.
Here are some super helpful resources I have collected so that we can all feel in control of what we can when we can’t control the world around us.
Pandemic Resources
These are super helpful links and resources that keep us up to date with the information we need to know. I’m telling you now, we don’t watch the news anymore. There has just been too much, of everything. I stick to the direct sources of facts and information and keep media speculation out of my life.
Here are these resources:
- Real-time map by Johns Hopkins
- STAT news – number of cases over time
- IHME projections of outbreak peak by state
- COVID-19 fact sheet from the CDC
- Safe Kids – Parents Guide to Child Safety
How to Protect Your Family During the Pandemic
For you busy moms out there – here’s a summary of this post. The details are below.
- Masks (recommendation: Redbubble fun designs)
- UV light disinfectant
- First Aid Kit (recommendation MyFAK First Aid Kit)
Wear Masks in Public (and Where to get Kids Masks)
Wearing masks is a new normal now. They help protect us from airborne pathogens. I know there’s been a lot of love/hate on the masks requirements but I saw a great meme that helps explain it. Imagine everyone is naked and someone pees on you. You get wet. Imagine instead you are wearing pants and someone pees on you. Well, most of the liquid will be on the pants, so you’ll only get a little bit wet. Now imagine you’re both wearing pants and someone pees on you. Now, pretty much their pants are the only thing getting wet. You’re safe and dry. This is masks. The sick person wearing a mask will not spread the virus, and the healthy person wearing the mask will not be exposed.
So, since we have to wear them, let’s make them fun!
You can see I’m using our fun cold-weather wear, it’s more of a gator neck type and it goes all the way around.
I love fun masks. The nerdier the better. Themes, fun designs, etc. Might as well have fun with them!
The mask I’m wearing in the pic is a face shield from SA Co. We stopped using them when the mask mandate required layered cloth masks but those did not include bandana masks.
I also love that Redbubble has masks now! They always have fun tees, phone cases, and other designs. Now we can geek out with the masks!
- Redbubble masks feature art and designs created by artists from all over the world. So, no matter what design people are looking for — positive, sporty, fashionable, whimsical — there’s something for everyone.
- By purchasing a mask on Redbubble, people can help support independent artists.
- One-for-one charitable program. For every mask purchased, Redbubble will be donating a fabric mask to Heart to Heart International.
This one is lovely and positive:
Redbubble also has kids masks! So check that out for solutions for finding masks for your child to wear to school.
And here’s more options for kids masks!
If you can make them yourself, here’s a great video with 3 different no-sew mask ideas. As a busy working mom, sewing my own mask is not something I have the capacity for (no sewing machine, not in the mood to put my hand-sewing skills to the test). There are some fabulous tutorials for masks you can sew, also.
UV Light Disinfectant
Did you know that Ultraviolet light disinfects and kills up to 99% of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens? I’m totally ordering this Handheld UV Sanitizer.
How it works: Ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 100nm and 280nm has the ability to inactivate microorganisms. The light is absorbed by the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, which causes the DNA and/or RNA structure to be critically damaged. This makes it completely impossible for the microorganisms to replicate and infect, effectively killing them.
Also, see this article from Science Daily: Ultraviolet LEDs prove effective in eliminating coronavirus from surfaces and, potentially, air and water.
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While you’re disinfecting and cleaning, get a great cleaning product to help keep all your surfaces germ-free! The no-rinse, no-wipe, multitasking, every-surface solution for a healthier home.
First Aid Kit
It is very important for every family to have a first aid kit in the house. This isn’t the time to be stopping by your family doctor for everything. Having injury care items at home is important in any emergency.
Our Recommendation: The MyFAK. (My First Aid Kit) was designed with three goals: Adaptive – Functional – Indestructible. A great kit to have at home or on the go.
This kit comes in basic and advanced, depending on your budget and need to have all the extra safety items with you.
The Basic MyFAK comes with all of these, and a sturdy, compact backpack to carry it all. The advanced has many more emergency items.
- CPR Shield
- Gauze (multiple sizes)
- Bandages (multiple sizes)
- Pressure Bandage
- Liquid Skin
- Burnshield gel
- Medication (fever, pain, nausea)
- Whistle
- Superskin (for blisters)
- Survival Blanket
- EMT Shears
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Pen Light
- Nitrile gloves
- Surgical tape
- Elastic bandage
- Triangular bandage
- Finger Splint
- Antibiotic ointment
- Anti-itch cream
- lip balm
- Oral pain relief
- Sunscreen
- Skin salve
- Sting relief wipe
- Alcohol prep pads
- Towelettes and hand wipes
- Saljet wound cleaner
Follow Good Practices
Nothing beats good handwashing for protecting you from getting sick. Wash with soap for at least 20 seconds often. All the time! Before eating or touching your face, after touching common areas, and if it’s just been some time since your last hand washing.
Don’t forget your hand sanitizer! A good quick way to kill germs on your hands when you can’t do a full soap hand washing.
You can fill this lovely bracelet with your favorite hand sanitizer and can easily sanitize on the go!
Wearable Refillable Sanitizer Silicone Bracelets
It’s also important to get tested for Covid if you’ve been in contact with someone who has a confirmed case or you start to notice flu-like symptoms. At-home Austin COVID testing, as well as home options in other cities, can help you get the answers you need without risking going to a local testing center.
How are you protecting your family during this pandemic?
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