The Florida Division of Emergency Management is reminding Floridians that COVID-19 and hurricane preparedness are two different situations.
While Floridians are used to stocking up in preparation for a hurricane, a pandemic requires different strategic planning.
Panic buying has been rampant as the coronavirus spreads, with consumers around the world stockpiling goods like hand sanitizer, canned foods and toilet paper.
“Floridians do not need to prepare as if a hurricane is coming,” the division tweeted Tuesday along with a helpful graphic breaking down the difference.
Reminder- this is NOT a hurricane! Floridians do not need to prepare as if a hurricane is coming. DO practice social distancing to prevent the spread of #COVID19. Read more on social distancing - https://t.co/B23DIjXgM0 pic.twitter.com/RiEDbeul6i
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) March 18, 2020
In this case, people might be associating the coronavirus with a past deadly outbreak, like the 1918 Spanish flu that killed around 50 million people worldwide, or Hurricane Michael.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a detailed guide on how to prepare your household for the spread of COVID-19.
