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As Hacker News is usually full of people that can provide good advice: What should I personally do to prepare? I'm living alone and have the ability to work rem

As Hacker News is usually full of people that can provide good advice: What should I personally do to prepare? I'm living alone and have the ability to work remotely once the virus starts spreading here. My guess is mostly stocking up on food, which I've planned to do for a long time - sounds like a good motivation to finally prepare a list and get shopping. Should I bother with a N95 mask? I already have surgical masks that I used last year when I got a cold, but FWIU they only help protecting others when you're already sick. I can spare the money for a N95 mask even if I don't end up using it, but I'm not sure it'll actually help. Touching your face less and using knuckles to touch buttons as well as washing your hands more often are things I'm already working on. I guess I'll start carrying hand sanitizer when leaving the house. What else can/should I do?

popotamonga 7y ago
The mask is good to train to not touch the face.
PragmaticPulp 7y ago
> As Hacker News is usually full of people that can provide good advice: Be careful. Comment sections tend to attract overconfident armchair experts rather than professional advice. This is a forum where technology people congregate, not virologists. You may get repeated advice about general prepper techniques, but in my experience the mainstream prepper types can be over focused on unlikely doomsday scenarios instead of more realistic extended economy-slowing scenarios. > What should I personally do to prepare? I suggest reading the linked article. This is exactly what the article is about.
- patagonicus 7y ago
  Of course, I'm not going to treat anything here as the absolute truth, but I'm looking for things I might have missed. I read the article, but other than keeping food and not touching your face etc. I didn't see much actionable advice for me. I'm not taking any prescription drugs, I don't have any family members close enough that I could treat them and handshakes are uncommon at my office.
  - neffy 7y ago
    Keeping a stock of non-perishable food is always good advice, some means of purifying water (visit your local camping store), a hand crank radio/light. That's about it. For the rest, we are all essentially about to be victims of math, and the math on any disease with a 14 day or so symptomless incubation period, and high infectivity is uncompromising. It was always going to spread world wide, and there was really nothing anybody was going to be able to do about that.
dis-sys 7y ago
I have: 1. n95 masks, e.g. 50 of them. technically, each mask can only last several hours 2. UVC light for cleaning up used n95 masks so they can last a few days each 3. protective eyeglasses if you need to visit hospital for any reason in the next few months 4. ethanol (not for your masks) 5. medical gloves
- patagonicus 7y ago
  Protective eyeglasses is a good one. I wanted to get some anyway, but keep forgetting about it.
- RaSoJo 7y ago
  I was under the impression an n95 could last much longer (Days/Weeks). Could you help me understand why you feel it will last just for hours?
- ksml 7y ago
  Unless you are doing work that involves lots of tiny particulate matter (and even if you do), I think 50 n95 masks is pretty darn excessive. Most people don't even wear them correctly.
- blub 7y ago
  N95's not bad, but N99 (FFP3) is what you probably want for viruses. In theory these are designed to last a "shift" (8h). The manual should explain how to use it safely. I'm not aware of the possibility of cleaning used masks. Just because the outside is clean, it doesn't mean the filter's still good. If you want something cleanable get a full face mask with a cartridge filter. These look like (and actually can be) a gas mask. It also clearly communicates that you're serious about this, unlike the peons with those silly normal masks.
itronitron 7y ago
Food items should include things you can eat while/after your digestive system is wrecked, also known as the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast.
- lotsofpulp 7y ago
  I’ve read BRAT diet is not recommended for kids any more. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0601/p1066.html https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0601/p1066.html https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/37/8/313 https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/37/8/313 https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digestive/brat-diet.htm https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digesti...
rb808 7y ago
CDC says no facemask isn't necessary for healthy people. Apparently https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-t... > facemaskst “end up creating a false sense of security and most people don’t wear them appropriately,” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-dont-have-to-wear-facemasks-because-of-coronavirus-2020-01-30 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-don...
- anonsivalley652 7y ago
  Face masks don't prevent highly-infectious airborne viral diseases from being caught by healthy individuals, they mainly reduce the chances of an infected person spreading it more. This panic buying of face masks and toothpicks to press elevator buttons is hygiene theater. If you're sick, stay home. The. End.
  - curryst 7y ago
    They can. You need to buy surgical respirators instead of surgical masks. They look fairly similar. Masks prevent you spreading the disease to others. Respirators prevent you spreading the disease and others spreading it to you.
CapitalistCartr 7y ago
If you had to spend 3-6 weeks homebound, literally not leaving at all, what would you need? Include the usual over-the-counter meds you might normally use in the course of a year. Then, if the economy tanked as a result of an epidemic, for 3-5 years, what would you wish you'd bought beforehand? That's about all you can do. Remember, if you're homebound, you'll really want to exercise after a few days. Some way of doing that indoors is wonderful.
mytailorisrich 7y ago
Do not tell people to stock up on food. There is no need and this is how you create runs on supermarkets and panic. If the situation becomes severe enough for this to become a problem, this will be organised by authorities. Keep calm, follow basic hygiene, and be ready to work from home at short notice. Maybe don't travel unless you have to. This is not the end of the world and the risk is low. Change course only if the risk to you becomes high based on facts.
- justin66 7y ago
  > Do not tell people to stock up on food. This is how you create runs on supermarkets and panic. No. Runs on supplies generally happen well after it becomes desperately obvious that the people advising preparation measures be taken were correct. The Costcos and Walmarts of the world, and their suppliers, can very easily absorb the bump in food demand from the very few who actually plan ahead. > If the situation becomes severe enough for this to become a problem, this will be organised by authorities. That's adorable.
  - mytailorisrich 7y ago
    I find it interesting that China has managed to keep things organised in Wuhan and throughout the country but American commenters on HN seem to expect that in their country it would be Mad Max.
    - justin66 7y ago
      Was this response intended for a different comment? Regardless, I don't get the feeling you're overly familiar with what's going on in China or in this comment thread...
      - mytailorisrich 7y ago
        I am very familiar with what is going on in China. It isn't Mad Max and people aren't starving.
OrgNet 7y ago
I heard that viruses can enter the body by contact with the eye... so some mask with goggles might be safer?
- Quiark 7y ago
  Yes it can. I think it's unrealistic to expect that some ordinary gear is going to save you when you get exposed to it. The focus should be on not getting exposed.
  - OrgNet 7y ago
    if you need supplies, what are you going to do?
dredmorbius 7y ago
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare expert. You might care to read from those who are: https://www.ready.gov/pandemic https://www.ready.gov/pandemic 2019-nCoV is a viral disease spread by droplets and close physical contact, possibly by contaminated fluids, including human waste (sewage). Literature I've seen suggests relatively close prolonged contact is necessary -- hours around an infected individual. There've been some "super spreaders", including apparently a woman within a South Korean church, who've infected numerous other individuals. There is no vaccine or effective curative treatment. Medical treatment is currently limited to diagnosis, and treating symptoms. At an epidemiological level, the outbreak will be halted when the level of transmission (R value) of the disease falls below 1: one infected individual on average infects fewer than one other additional persons. The outbreak will continue for some time after this, with occasional new cases, but the total new cases should fall. Halting transmission means disrupting transmission vectors: - Less person-to-person contact. - Less high-risk contact. - Reduced risk of exposure through contacts. Keeping yourself and the things you touch clean is the single most effective thing you can do. Soap and water are a low-tech effective mechanism. Wash your hands. Often. Alcohol-based hand-sanitizers work. Antibacterial sterilisers are not effective against 2019-nCoV, though may reduce risks of secondary / opportunistic infections. Soap, detergent, or bleach sterilisers on high-contact surfaces should be useful. Taps, light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, toilet handles, counters, keyboards, touch devices. Note that many modern devices disinfect poorly if at all. Many are harmed by water. Consider, e.g., keyboard covers if necessary. Barrier protections such as gloves, masks, or eye protection may be useful if: - You cannot avoid touching possibly-contaminated surfaces, e.g., shopping trolleys, on public transit. Discard gloves and masks after the exposure episode, dispose as hazardous waste, and wash hands after removal. - You are or may be infected yourself, to avoid infecting others. - You're assiting others who are or may be infected (family, friends, neighbours, etc.). Masks and gloves should not be worn as a matter of course (e.g., around the home) so long as there's little risk of infection. Be generally aware that an epidemic may be declared where you are, and what the implications are likely to be. That includes several weeks of reduced transport, possibly including long-range transport. Schools and businesses may be closed. Medical services may be overextended. Workplaces should make contingency plans for remote work or possible shutdowns, as well as assess and implement cleaning procedures. If you have not yet had a flu shot get one now. Not because it will prevent 2019-nCoV infection, but because 1) you don't want to be getting sick with something else in an epidemic and 2) you'll reduce load on medical services and risk of nosocomial infection through healthcare services. (I've been fighting with close family and friends on this point -- idiotically stubborn individuals are an exceedingly unfortunate and frustrating reality. The elderly, uneducated, and or mentally handicaped (Parkinsons or other conditions) may be especially resistant to sensible preventive actions.) Consider changes to routines (e.g., work, school, socialising, religious worship, fitness or gym) in the event of a local outbreak. Preparing to minimise transmission risk will be useful. Do so for others in your household as well (partners, children, parents, housemates). Get in touch with neighbours and have a mutual support plan in effect. Buying supplies for someone who's sick is low-risk, but will make their recovery far easier. Overall severity for most people is low, deaths outside China have been reassuringly low. The worst places for the outbreak seem to be those with poor public infrastructures, public health, general healthcare, and institutional trust. Unfortunately, the US has been trending in the wrong direction on all these measures, but in large part remains among the more prepared countries. Countries lacking these traits, having poor communications and public health, and cold, dry conditions are most at risk. North Korea has been on my watchlist since early in the outbreak, and the lack of any case reports seems improbably accurate. Iran's outbreak may be concerning. China's containment efforts seem generally to have been working well, with a few possible exceptions. Prison outbreaks are among the more troubling notes in recent news. Coronavirus generally thrives in cold and dry conditions, which should become far less prevalent as Northern hemisphere spring and summer arrive. To that extent the epidemic being self-limiting is likely. Second-order effects, including disinformation and panic, are all but certain to be the most severe disruptions anyone will personally experience. Global economic and supply-chain shocks are possible, though if handled sensible, not a tremendous risk. Money doesn't grow on trees, it's easier to come by than that: central banks can inject it at will.
csomar 7y ago
If you are young and healthy, staying more than usual at home should be more than enough. Unless you think this virus is going to kill 1bn+ human.
pcl 7y ago
> My guess is mostly stocking up on food, which I've planned to do for a long time - sounds like a good motivation to finally prepare a list and get shopping. If you're going to stock up on food, allow me to suggest cans of whole San Marzano tomatoes. San Marzanos (and other close relatives) tend to last really well in a can -- almost as good as fresh! Keep some extra onions or shallots and a few celery roots in your fridge, and perhaps some Calabrian chili flakes in your pantry, and you can make delicious pasta sauces or soups from them. Also, this works just as well on a random Tuesday night as during a pandemic. Or just slice the tomatoes and put them on a sandwich. And if there's no real crisis in your area, then you're still in luck, as you've got a good supply of tomatoes for next winter. Probably you should pick up some beans to go with them too, from a dietary standpoint, but I'm a tomato lover, not a bean lover, so I don't know what the right type is there. Mmm. Now I'm hungry.
jwatt 7y ago
I wonder if the single most effective thing that can be done to lessen symptom severity/risk of death is to work on improve cardiovascular fitness (since the clear majority of deaths seem to be amongst people who have cardiovascular illness/weakness)? I haven't seen any advice to that affect though.

popotamonga 7y ago

The mask is good to train to not touch the face.

PragmaticPulp 7y ago

> As Hacker News is usually full of people that can provide good advice: Be careful. Comment sections tend to attract overconfident armchair experts rather than professional advice. This is a forum where technology people congregate, not virologists. You may get repeated advice about general prepper techniques, but in my experience the mainstream prepper types can be over focused on unlikely doomsday scenarios instead of more realistic extended economy-slowing scenarios. > What should I personally do to prepare? I suggest reading the linked article. This is exactly what the article is about.

patagonicus 7y ago
Of course, I'm not going to treat anything here as the absolute truth, but I'm looking for things I might have missed. I read the article, but other than keeping food and not touching your face etc. I didn't see much actionable advice for me. I'm not taking any prescription drugs, I don't have any family members close enough that I could treat them and handshakes are uncommon at my office.
- neffy 7y ago
  Keeping a stock of non-perishable food is always good advice, some means of purifying water (visit your local camping store), a hand crank radio/light. That's about it. For the rest, we are all essentially about to be victims of math, and the math on any disease with a 14 day or so symptomless incubation period, and high infectivity is uncompromising. It was always going to spread world wide, and there was really nothing anybody was going to be able to do about that.

dis-sys 7y ago

I have: 1. n95 masks, e.g. 50 of them. technically, each mask can only last several hours 2. UVC light for cleaning up used n95 masks so they can last a few days each 3. protective eyeglasses if you need to visit hospital for any reason in the next few months 4. ethanol (not for your masks) 5. medical gloves

patagonicus 7y ago
Protective eyeglasses is a good one. I wanted to get some anyway, but keep forgetting about it.
RaSoJo 7y ago
I was under the impression an n95 could last much longer (Days/Weeks). Could you help me understand why you feel it will last just for hours?
ksml 7y ago
Unless you are doing work that involves lots of tiny particulate matter (and even if you do), I think 50 n95 masks is pretty darn excessive. Most people don't even wear them correctly.
blub 7y ago
N95's not bad, but N99 (FFP3) is what you probably want for viruses. In theory these are designed to last a "shift" (8h). The manual should explain how to use it safely. I'm not aware of the possibility of cleaning used masks. Just because the outside is clean, it doesn't mean the filter's still good. If you want something cleanable get a full face mask with a cartridge filter. These look like (and actually can be) a gas mask. It also clearly communicates that you're serious about this, unlike the peons with those silly normal masks.

itronitron 7y ago

Food items should include things you can eat while/after your digestive system is wrecked, also known as the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast.

lotsofpulp 7y ago
I’ve read BRAT diet is not recommended for kids any more. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0601/p1066.html https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0601/p1066.html https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/37/8/313 https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/37/8/313 https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digestive/brat-diet.htm https://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/digesti...

rb808 7y ago

CDC says no facemask isn't necessary for healthy people. Apparently https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-t... > facemaskst “end up creating a false sense of security and most people don’t wear them appropriately,” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-dont-have-to-wear-facemasks-because-of-coronavirus-2020-01-30 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-don...

anonsivalley652 7y ago
Face masks don't prevent highly-infectious airborne viral diseases from being caught by healthy individuals, they mainly reduce the chances of an infected person spreading it more. This panic buying of face masks and toothpicks to press elevator buttons is hygiene theater. If you're sick, stay home. The. End.
- curryst 7y ago
  They can. You need to buy surgical respirators instead of surgical masks. They look fairly similar. Masks prevent you spreading the disease to others. Respirators prevent you spreading the disease and others spreading it to you.

CapitalistCartr 7y ago

If you had to spend 3-6 weeks homebound, literally not leaving at all, what would you need? Include the usual over-the-counter meds you might normally use in the course of a year. Then, if the economy tanked as a result of an epidemic, for 3-5 years, what would you wish you'd bought beforehand? That's about all you can do. Remember, if you're homebound, you'll really want to exercise after a few days. Some way of doing that indoors is wonderful.

mytailorisrich 7y ago

Do not tell people to stock up on food. There is no need and this is how you create runs on supermarkets and panic. If the situation becomes severe enough for this to become a problem, this will be organised by authorities. Keep calm, follow basic hygiene, and be ready to work from home at short notice. Maybe don't travel unless you have to. This is not the end of the world and the risk is low. Change course only if the risk to you becomes high based on facts.

justin66 7y ago
> Do not tell people to stock up on food. This is how you create runs on supermarkets and panic. No. Runs on supplies generally happen well after it becomes desperately obvious that the people advising preparation measures be taken were correct. The Costcos and Walmarts of the world, and their suppliers, can very easily absorb the bump in food demand from the very few who actually plan ahead. > If the situation becomes severe enough for this to become a problem, this will be organised by authorities. That's adorable.
- mytailorisrich 7y ago
  I find it interesting that China has managed to keep things organised in Wuhan and throughout the country but American commenters on HN seem to expect that in their country it would be Mad Max.
  - justin66 7y ago
    Was this response intended for a different comment? Regardless, I don't get the feeling you're overly familiar with what's going on in China or in this comment thread...
    - mytailorisrich 7y ago
      I am very familiar with what is going on in China. It isn't Mad Max and people aren't starving.

OrgNet 7y ago

I heard that viruses can enter the body by contact with the eye... so some mask with goggles might be safer?

Quiark 7y ago
Yes it can. I think it's unrealistic to expect that some ordinary gear is going to save you when you get exposed to it. The focus should be on not getting exposed.
- OrgNet 7y ago
  if you need supplies, what are you going to do?

dredmorbius 7y ago

Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare expert. You might care to read from those who are: https://www.ready.gov/pandemic https://www.ready.gov/pandemic 2019-nCoV is a viral disease spread by droplets and close physical contact, possibly by contaminated fluids, including human waste (sewage). Literature I've seen suggests relatively close prolonged contact is necessary -- hours around an infected individual. There've been some "super spreaders", including apparently a woman within a South Korean church, who've infected numerous other individuals. There is no vaccine or effective curative treatment. Medical treatment is currently limited to diagnosis, and treating symptoms. At an epidemiological level, the outbreak will be halted when the level of transmission (R value) of the disease falls below 1: one infected individual on average infects fewer than one other additional persons. The outbreak will continue for some time after this, with occasional new cases, but the total new cases should fall. Halting transmission means disrupting transmission vectors: - Less person-to-person contact. - Less high-risk contact. - Reduced risk of exposure through contacts. Keeping yourself and the things you touch clean is the single most effective thing you can do. Soap and water are a low-tech effective mechanism. Wash your hands. Often. Alcohol-based hand-sanitizers work. Antibacterial sterilisers are not effective against 2019-nCoV, though may reduce risks of secondary / opportunistic infections. Soap, detergent, or bleach sterilisers on high-contact surfaces should be useful. Taps, light switches, door handles, elevator buttons, toilet handles, counters, keyboards, touch devices. Note that many modern devices disinfect poorly if at all. Many are harmed by water. Consider, e.g., keyboard covers if necessary. Barrier protections such as gloves, masks, or eye protection may be useful if: - You cannot avoid touching possibly-contaminated surfaces, e.g., shopping trolleys, on public transit. Discard gloves and masks after the exposure episode, dispose as hazardous waste, and wash hands after removal. - You are or may be infected yourself, to avoid infecting others. - You're assiting others who are or may be infected (family, friends, neighbours, etc.). Masks and gloves should not be worn as a matter of course (e.g., around the home) so long as there's little risk of infection. Be generally aware that an epidemic may be declared where you are, and what the implications are likely to be. That includes several weeks of reduced transport, possibly including long-range transport. Schools and businesses may be closed. Medical services may be overextended. Workplaces should make contingency plans for remote work or possible shutdowns, as well as assess and implement cleaning procedures. If you have not yet had a flu shot get one now. Not because it will prevent 2019-nCoV infection, but because 1) you don't want to be getting sick with something else in an epidemic and 2) you'll reduce load on medical services and risk of nosocomial infection through healthcare services. (I've been fighting with close family and friends on this point -- idiotically stubborn individuals are an exceedingly unfortunate and frustrating reality. The elderly, uneducated, and or mentally handicaped (Parkinsons or other conditions) may be especially resistant to sensible preventive actions.) Consider changes to routines (e.g., work, school, socialising, religious worship, fitness or gym) in the event of a local outbreak. Preparing to minimise transmission risk will be useful. Do so for others in your household as well (partners, children, parents, housemates). Get in touch with neighbours and have a mutual support plan in effect. Buying supplies for someone who's sick is low-risk, but will make their recovery far easier. Overall severity for most people is low, deaths outside China have been reassuringly low. The worst places for the outbreak seem to be those with poor public infrastructures, public health, general healthcare, and institutional trust. Unfortunately, the US has been trending in the wrong direction on all these measures, but in large part remains among the more prepared countries. Countries lacking these traits, having poor communications and public health, and cold, dry conditions are most at risk. North Korea has been on my watchlist since early in the outbreak, and the lack of any case reports seems improbably accurate. Iran's outbreak may be concerning. China's containment efforts seem generally to have been working well, with a few possible exceptions. Prison outbreaks are among the more troubling notes in recent news. Coronavirus generally thrives in cold and dry conditions, which should become far less prevalent as Northern hemisphere spring and summer arrive. To that extent the epidemic being self-limiting is likely. Second-order effects, including disinformation and panic, are all but certain to be the most severe disruptions anyone will personally experience. Global economic and supply-chain shocks are possible, though if handled sensible, not a tremendous risk. Money doesn't grow on trees, it's easier to come by than that: central banks can inject it at will.

csomar 7y ago

If you are young and healthy, staying more than usual at home should be more than enough. Unless you think this virus is going to kill 1bn+ human.

pcl 7y ago

> My guess is mostly stocking up on food, which I've planned to do for a long time - sounds like a good motivation to finally prepare a list and get shopping. If you're going to stock up on food, allow me to suggest cans of whole San Marzano tomatoes. San Marzanos (and other close relatives) tend to last really well in a can -- almost as good as fresh! Keep some extra onions or shallots and a few celery roots in your fridge, and perhaps some Calabrian chili flakes in your pantry, and you can make delicious pasta sauces or soups from them. Also, this works just as well on a random Tuesday night as during a pandemic. Or just slice the tomatoes and put them on a sandwich. And if there's no real crisis in your area, then you're still in luck, as you've got a good supply of tomatoes for next winter. Probably you should pick up some beans to go with them too, from a dietary standpoint, but I'm a tomato lover, not a bean lover, so I don't know what the right type is there. Mmm. Now I'm hungry.

jwatt 7y ago

I wonder if the single most effective thing that can be done to lessen symptom severity/risk of death is to work on improve cardiovascular fitness (since the clear majority of deaths seem to be amongst people who have cardiovascular illness/weakness)? I haven't seen any advice to that affect though.