Stop using plastic as much as possible. Use glass containers and silicone utensils.

And get a good water filter.

KITCHEN

• Tramontina 2qt pot — perfect for a small portion of pasta. stop using non-stick.
• Tramontina saute pan — non toxic and mostly non stick if you let it heat up properly (a little drop of water should bounce around the pan instead of evaporating)
• GIR spatula set — throw out all your cheap black toxic kitchen tools
• LifeStraw Water Filter — removes microplastics
• Paring Knife — my favorite knife
• Leak detector — under the sink, and maybe in your basement/attic too
• Tape for labeling — comes off easily
• Smoked Sea Salt — the best finisher to a dish.
• California Olive Oil — probably the easiest to find reasonably priced olive oil

HEALTH

• Waterpik — this one can be used in the shower
• Sonicare Toothbrush — way better than manual
• Boka — allegedly better than fluoride toothpaste
• Hand cream — one of our favorites
• Korean Sunscreen Stick — handy in a pinch
• Hang nail snipper — easiest way to get rid of a hang nail
• Hand soap — not too drying, although I like bars more
• Air purifier —especially good if you have dust allergies
• Apple Watch — good for tracking heart and falls

TRAVEL

• Thin Magsafe Phone Battery
• Power Adapter — mostly for international
• Anker 3 in 1 — for the people who have all Apple
• Patagonia Duffle Backpack
• Packable Backpack
• Alcohol + spray bottles (doesn’t work against norovirus though)
• Alcohol wipes
• Passport or wallet tracker
• Floss Picks
• Waterproof phone bag
• CO2 Monitor
• Airpods

OFFICE

• Charging station
• Phone cleaner
• Macbook case
• Homepod Mini

CAR

• Jump starter
• Cupholder Tissues
• Carbage Can
• Dash cam

1. Leave. Staying in the area carries risk. If you have any possibility of leaving, do it. And in the future, whenever you’re wondering, “should I leave?” the answer is yes. An overabundance of caution is good. Go to a different state, or leave the country. Whatever you can manage. The air is toxic. The water probably is too.
2. Prepare to leave. If you haven’t yet left, there’s a good chance you’ll have to at some point. Create an emergency plan and evacuation route for your household. Assemble an emergency supply kit with essentials like medications, important documents, and a change of clothes.
3. Monitor the area. Apps like Watch Duty, IQAir, Paku and Zoom Earth are helpful in keeping up to date on air, evacuations and fires.
4. Breathe better. Do not inhale outside if you can. It’s probably full of asbestos and other carcinogens. If you have to be outside, wear a really really good mask. KN95 or N95. And get HEPA filters for every room. Seal your home if you’re sticking around.
5. Set up your sprinklers. There’s a small chance you could save your house.

1. Wear a mask. Not a cloth mask. I like these. KN95 or N95 should be your benchmark, most of the others are not worth the bother. 
2. Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. When soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (bearing in mind that this doesn’t kill norovirus!)
3. Focus on the air. If you’re in a stuffy environment, like a crowded bar, you’re in a more risky environment. Outdoors is best. 
4. Make sure there are air filters at work and home; HEPA or better. So many illnesses are airborne. 
5. Boost your immune system. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat nutritious foods.
6. Stay home if you’re sick. Help break the chain of transmission by isolating when you have symptoms.

Remember, these precautions work best when used together. While no single measure is perfect, combining these strategies gives you the best chance of staying healthy during this challenging season.

36 hours of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and unrelenting pain in the abdomen and muscles. All I could do was lay in the empty bathtub and moan for the first 12 hours. Then I could lie in bed and moan for another 24 hours, only getting up to visit the toilet/trash can/both. I felt like I was going to die, and was so miserable I would have welcomed it. Even after ot passed, I felt wrung out for a week. And I was in my 20s! I can see how people with less physiologic reserve would indeed succumb to this awful virus. – Caitlin

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do nothing! Wash hands with soap and water regularly and especially before meals.
2. Avoid raw seafood like oysters.
3. Avoid pools.

In terms of prevention, you may want:

1. Some more soap (something with shea butter will help your hands).
2. Hand moisturizer to make up for all the hand washing.
3. UV bath for phone, etc.
4. HOCl for surfaces like sinks and doorknobs. (Bleach is more commonly recommended but HOCl is a safer alternative).
5. Stylus for touching public touchscreens.
6. Gloves for pumping gas, etc.
7. HOCl hand sanitizer (but hand washing is #1) plus some light safe spray bottles for dispensing.

In terms of preparation, you may want:

1. A prescription from your doctor (or Wisp) for Zofran (~$5).
2. Vomit bags.