COVID-19 is real and it is affecting everyone in every corner of the world. We have to protect ourselves and our loved ones from getting the coronavirus and also stop spreading the virus to others. Here are 5 essential things I think you need, at least, to have at home during the pandemic.

1. Face Masks

The face mask, either a surgical or medical mask, is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Face masks help slow down the spread of coronavirus. As long as you are not at home, you should wear a face mask wherever you go and change it regularly. 

I stock up some face masks (both adults and kids) especially when they are on sale. Nowadays, medical masks are widely available at online stores like Shoppee and Lazada. 

You may want to consider wearing a face shield when going to a crowded place. It is optically clear and protects the face and mask from direct splatter.

2. Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Spray

Hand sanitizer should be at home as well as with you while you are outside your home. Always choose a hand sanitizer containing a minimum of 60% alcohol. If you have a sensitive hand, you can get a hand sanitizer with moisturizer so it creates fewer problems for your hand.

Hand sanitizers are also available in small bottles and it is easy to carry in pocket and bag. Sanitize your hands whenever you touch a public area and there is no soap and water available.

Keep some disinfectant spays at home to clean your cellphones, car doors, bags, vegetable baskets, etc. You can use it easily to clean any surface which might be exposed. 

3. Thermometer 

A must-have item at your home even not in the coronavirus pandemic. Various types of thermometers are available out there. I think an infra-red-gun type of thermometer is the most convenient one. It measures body temperature from a distance, without contact, and thus provides safety from virus contamination via person-to-person contact.

4. Pulse Oximeter

A pulse oximeter is a small device, that you can clip on your fingertip, that uses light beams to estimate the percentage of oxygen in the blood without drawing a blood sample.

Is a pulse oximeter a necessary thing to have? I think it is recommended to have. Coronavirus cases reached a record high recently in Malaysia and some reports show that COVID-19 may cause hypoxia (a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level) without any symptoms and this is difficult to detect.

Keep one at home and measure regularly just in case you got COVID-19 but do not show any symptoms. COVID-19 may slowly affect your lungs and causing low blood conditions in your body.

You do not need to buy an expensive one that is used in a hospital. It’s quite cheap at the online store (mostly from China). It does not have to be very accurate because you just need to know your blood oxygen does not go below too far without any symptoms.

5. Supplements And Medicine

You need to ensure you have a good immune system during the pandemic. Stock some supplements, especially vitamins, that can help boost your immune system. Do more exercise and got more exposure to the morning sun (vitamin D).

Make sure your first aid kit contains all essential medicines such as painkillers and paracetamol (for both kids and adults). If any family member is suffering from chronic disorders like diabetes, or hypertension, make sure to stock up their medicine as well.