As the spread of coronavirus causes pandemic pandemonium in Australia and abroad, populations are grappling with the fear of the unknown.

Worldwide, there has been nearly 150,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with over 200 of those in Australia.

Now, as cases continue to rise, Australians are in preparation mode. Indeed, for weeks now, that has involved stockpiling.

But what is the official advice on what we should all buy in anticipation of the outbreak of coronavirus?

Well, the Australian Government has provided no official recommendation that Australians prepare for isolation (unless you feel unwell).

Watch: Mamamia’s Claire Murphy breaks down your most answered questions about COVID-19. Post continues below.

So, instead, we looked to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, who says people should indeed have “supplies on hand”.

The CDC says necessary personal medication should be your first priority, in case there is an outbreak in your local community that will require self-isolation. If no extra medication is available, they advise to check if you can get them mail-ordered.

On top of prescribed or personal medication, the CDC adds that over-the-counter medical supplies will also be helpful to treat the cold-like symptoms of coronavirus (in mild cases). Authorities say that the majority of infections can be recovered at home, with over 80 per cent of coronavirus cases classified as mild.

They further advise to have “enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time”.

The NSW Government is a little more detailed. While it hasn’t issued a COVID-19-specific household preparation plan, it offers the following list for what to purchase in a pandemic situation.

Ready-to-eat canned/bottled food

Snack food

Dried and long-life food

Toiletries/cleaning product

Drinks

Health supplies

Baby supplies

Pet food

Other items

Of course, panic-buying is not helpful for anyone, and the overwhelming advice is to only stock up for two weeks’ worth of groceries.

Professor Ian Mackay from the University of Queensland, a virology expert, wrote for Virology Down Under a detailed list of you’ll most likely need, should you go into self-isolation.

“Buy a few of the things each weekly shop. Don’t buy things you won’t eat later, don’t hoard and don’t buy more than you’ll need for a two-week period. We’re not talking zombie apocalypse and we very probably won’t see power or water interruptions either,” Professor Mackay says.

As for face masks, the U.S.’ surgeon general (akin to the chief medical officer in Australia) told people on twitter to “STOP BUYING MASKS”, as it is more important that health professions have easy access to them when treating sick patients.

Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!

They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk! https://t.co/UxZRwxxKL9

— U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 29, 2020

According to the Australian Government, the best way to avoid the spread of coronavirus is to was your hands frequently, to cover your cough and sneezes, dispose of dirty tissues and to use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. They add that if you are unwell, you must stay at least 1.5 metres away from people at all times.

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Feature Image: Supplied/Dianne Regan.

For more information for the pandemic, you can visit the Federal Government’s website here.

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