It’s a scary time to go shopping. There are shortages of all sorts of odds and ends, and knowing what you actually need to get you through the novel coronavirus pandemic can feel super stressful. The WIRED Gear team has talked experts (and among ourselves) to come up with this master guide to everything you might need right now—and a few things you should avoid buying for the sake of the greater good.
Need more information? Be sure to check out our full coverage of all things Covid-19, and to pay attention to any new information coming from the Centers for Disease Control and other reliable sources.
If you buy something using the links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Here’s how this works. You can also support our reporting and reviewing by purchasing a 1-year print + digital WIRED subscription for $5 (Discounted).
Updated April 9: The CDC has changed its guidance on cloth face masks, so we’ve added new information below. We also added more retailer options and replaced links for items that are out of stock.
General Guidelines
First thing’s first: Know when you might be sick. And that’s not always easy (or possible). Some people do not show any symptoms. Read our guide to Covid-19’s typical (and rare) symptoms, and what to do if you know you’re ill. The recommendations below are from the CDC.
- Stay at home all the time unless you need to leave for essential items, like groceries.
- If you are on an essential errand, wear a cloth face mask and keep your distance from others (about 6 feet). Avoid groups of 10 or more.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (into your elbow or use a tissue).
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Frequently. You can use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if you’re on the go.
- Clean and disinfect areas frequently-touched surfaces (here’s our Covid-19 cleaning guide).
Food and Supplies You (Might) Need
