After the Coronavirus pandemic is over, what everyday changes will you make? What have you learned from self quarantine at home?

Earlybird, this an excellent question, and one to remind us that a combination of factors led to the first infections as well as the subsequent pandemic.  So I think there are two facets to preparation, but the first depends on governments, and that's to address the issue of (a) the Chinese wet markets (b)  stepping up research throughout the world and with WHO (c) addressing stockpiles and rapid changeover in manufacturing to address hospital and home care equipment.

Individual and collective safety measures are important, but from the resistance I'm seeing, I don't know how some of the protestors can be educated to understand the benefit of masking and distancing.  

There are probably other global factors, but, on to your questions....and the second aspect:  what we can do ourselves.

You have an excellent, well thought out plan.   I'm going to copy your post if you don't mind and add the suggestions by category to my own plan.

What I'm doing is separating those things that I can grow or make vs. those that have to be bought.   My parents bought on sale and stored, and I've continued to do that, so I'll have a good stockpile for things I can't make.

I'm buying a pasta machine to make my own, as I love pasta in salads.  

I'm planting more areas of the garden to generate more food for current consumption and storage, and also (a) bringing my father's dehydrator back to my house for dehydrating food (b) buying an ice cream maker so I can have my own supplies of this mandatory (!) food), studying and hopefully being able to build a root cellar for storage of root crops, and (c) creating a cold frame for growing during the winter (this will be a challenge but I know someone in a cold weather state who's done it for years).

I'm restringing the clothes line to dry clothes outdoors as much as I can and save on electricity, using the extra money for the food I can't make on my own.

I'm "biting the bullet" to get the stand alone garage electrified so I can add a second frig, as well as create another storage area for non temperature subject items.   

I'm sure I'll think of additional ideas as I read others' posts.

Thanks for raising this very important and helpful topic.

Something I have a terrible habit of doing, and hopefully I can curb this habit. I have to learn to be more decisive. I tend to pick food or items and change my mind and run and take it back. Several times at the store. I know it sounds silly but this has made me realize how I need to not touch things unnecessarily. That sounds weird once I reread lol Make a list, get what I came for and leave. I tend to dawdle. Not so much these days.
The idea of stringing up a clothes line is appealing, I've been thinking of doing that again and now is a good time to do that. It's good exercise too. That I need a ton of.

For myself, I usually have a lot of paper towel packages as I can't pass up a good sale. Now I will add toilet paper to that plan. One less thing to stress about.

Make sure my "rainy day" fund is healthy for a possible long run.

When hand sanitizers are back on the shelves, will get a few bottles as there is an expiration date on them. Bet they are still good for a few more months after that date. We have sanitizer bottles in our cup holder in the vehicles.

Get a new refrigerator as my 30 year old Hotpoint only holds so much in the freezer. I don't have space for a French door one, I can only go up as I never use the cabinets above my refrigerator so those can be pulled out.

Cat litter has a long shelf life, so I will start stocking up on those jugs.

We have been using restaurant "carry-out" for many years ever since when my folks were alive and eating inside became too difficult. Carry-out worked great, eating in our own dining room without all the noise. Olive Garden was our favorite :)

Also had been using curb-side grocery pickup for many years as I just couldn't deal with doing my grocery shopping then returning to the store to do my parent's grocery shopping. I hate to shop !! Going on-line saved my sanity.

I am going to miss handshakes and hugs, as I know it will be awhile before people start feeling comfortable doing that again.

Bumping up; this is a really good thread and something to consider now, and especially plan for the future and help take our minds off the current situation and feel less helpless.

Absolutely EXCELLENT post and insightful and clever responses as well. I am printing this thread off. I enjoyed reading all of this too. Brilliant, folks. :0) Good thinking and good reminders for me, on all of your ideas.

One thing I desperately miss...is the food from our tiny Mexican restaurant down the street. :0( I don't think they will survive the financial hardship this has caused everyone. Such wonderful, hard working, fun-loving folks too. The food was amazing! I find myself dreaming of their Carnitas.

Coming from "pioneer stock' we have ALWAYS kept a 3 month supply of food (not necessarily the most well blanaced diet, but we wouldn't have starved) and tried to keep 3 months of money also.

I noticed that we did run low on TP, which caused a small concern. Our house is tiny and TP takes up a lot of room (excuses, excuses) so I never stockpiled that and for a couple of weeks it seemed like we'd never get any!

I needed to have kept up our canned goods supply. Most of our food storage is dehydrated, so a slightly fresher version would have been nice. I'll be working on that.

STOP touching my face! I can't believe how much I touch my face, eyes in an hour! I'm not a pretty princess, so it's not as if I'm checking my makeup--I just touch my face too much.

Somehow find ways to stay calm--I am OK during the days, but whoa--insomnia many, many nights. I have to find a way to work through the 'what ifs' that came wiht this pandemic and may stay a long time. I have 5 kids, all married and 14 grands and a hubby who is not in terrific health. I worry about all of them. Don't care what happens to me, but I get in a swivet about the family.

I, too, feel for the small, neighborhood retaurants that opted to not even try to stay open. I don't think one of them is going to be able to come back. We have been trying to support small businesses that do curbside, but it's hard--just DH and me and we don't put much out there.

EDUCATION: I have too many friends who think the virus is just 'out there'
floating along in the wind. They DO NOT understand it has to 'BE' somewhere...and our state has a very low count, hope to keep it that way. But, much as I try to explain that the virus is not on their lawns, or the doorknobs in their homes that NOBODY goes into---I feel frustrated.

I also hope we are better prepared to help those for whom work and school were safe places--as opposed to the 'celebrities' we see, isolating with their nannies and bodyguards. I was so glad to know my neighbor who has suffered from DV finally got her abusive husband to move out, mere days before the shutdown occured. I shudder to think what could have happened to her.

As much 'prep' work as I had done for just such a scenario--it was not enough!! We're stupid, us humans, thiking we're in charge. We most assuredly are not.

I'm learning almost anything can be ordered online and delivered, going to continue utilizing that after the pandemic so the respite time I get can be used for fun and not errands.

I agree with the poster who mentioned the garden. I will try to have a more prolific garden this year to grow my own food instead of relying so heavily on the grocery store.

I'm intending on setting boundaries regarding visitors. My siblings would drop in unannounced at random times to see mom, overstay and tire her out. With the time to reflect, I realize I need to set guidelines for them and try to educate them on what mom can handle.

Maybe, I'm naive, but, feel like once they get an effective vaccine, I'll resume my socializing. Perhaps, wash my hands more, but, I'll return to concerts once again and to dining out. I will stock up more though. I think that Mormons were supposed to always keep a year's supply of food and necessary items on hand at all times. I wish I had done that, even though, I'm not a Mormon. If I can ever get things like alcohol, toilet paper, bleach, sanitizer, canned food, frozen foods, staples, etc. I will have enough on hand to last me a year, just in case another virus comes around.

I'm a planner so already had plenty of food, paper products, etc. (I stock up when items are on sale,). With three boys, I've been surprised at how quickly it goes!

One thing I hope will be talked about more as we recover from this pandemic is financial preparedness. I realize that people who make low wages can't save easily. I'm thinking more about people who make a comfortable living and spend, spend, spend. I hope that more people realize the need for savings. I read a statistic that 60 percent of Americans don't have $1000 in savings. No wonder so many people are hurting for money.

My husband and I are very frugal and are so thankful now that we are. Over the years, it's been hard watching our friends go out to eat often, go on cruises, buy new cars, etc. But, we are OK during this and those same friends are struggling. I hope that they learn from this experience, skip Starbucks and put some money aside.
(Getting down from my high horse now...)

Like others, I miss hugs...especially my mom!!

The change that I did make was getting some cash to have at home.

Apparently, the black market for toilet paper only takes cash!

Even if they remove stay at home orders I will still be in quarantine if the virus is still out there. I’m high risk and I’ve heard people can spread it just by talking. If I do need to go out for anything i will still wear my mask and keep social distancing. It’s just a shame not everyone does the same. I can’t see myself eating out at restaurants like I used to or going to the zoo and being around a bunch of people unless the virus is gone or there is a vaccine.

I was never wasteful before and will continue to conserve. I hate to think of not being a hugger or handshaker but I don’t think I will be as open to touch since this virus outbreak.

I actually like shopping no more than once a week because I feel like it saves money. Unless an item is on sale at a good price I stick to buying only the items on my shopping list.

I like cooking. I like eating healthy. I like eating out occasionally as a treat.

I was never a person bothered by crowds before. Now I feel that I will experience some anxiety in a crowd.

I started sewing masks to give away. I enjoy sewing. I may continue sewing.

Most of all I will continue to hold the people I love most closely to my heart.

I’m gonna give this some more thought. But there is one for sure - something I’ll be taking care of as soon as it’s safe to do so.

An extra pair of glasses!!!

I wear contacts once I’m showered and dressed. But first thing out of bed in the morning and later in the evening when I’m reading, or my eyes are a little tired and dry - I wear my glasses.

About a week ago my glasses broke right in the middle of the nose piece. Super gluing didn’t work so now I have a Q-tip as a splint and scotch tape securing it in place. I look like a complete moron - cracks my hubby up to no end.

Right about now, the last thing I want to do is to go trying on frames - that a bizillon other folks have had around their nose so I’ll be sporting this Q-tip style for a while. But when I finally order a new pair - I’ll be buying two!

I will keep essential none perishables on hand. Rotate in and out. I am thinking of turning an extra bedroom closet into a pantry. Just need to down size first. Honestly I am ready to de-clutter everything I thought I would use or do when I retired and have not done for 2 years. If I want memories I will take a photo, toss and then do a memory book. Put time aside every day to read, crochet and sew. Maybe rotate days. Eat out less. I am loosing weight, now I quit drinking sodas and eating junk that I was grabbing to eat vs a decent snack. I now have my moms care on a schedule and feed my parents and us dinner early like 4:30. This gives me more down time before moms night routine. I think the schedule has made life easier so once I have help back over at my parents. The cleaners, Hospice help, and partial care for mom. I will make a flexible schedule for me. I want to do family get togethers a few times a year.

The biggest thing for me will be that I will continue to spend more time in my garden--and more money, too. I used to have a couple of lunches and teas every week. Although I did enjoy meeting with friends, I would often think that the day was really perfect for gardening and was wistful about how nice it would be to take advantage of that nice day.

This spring there have been no distractions. I have not met with any of the friends and family since the end of February. I keep up by phone and email, and have sent my mother some cards. My garden has been my refuge and the projects I have been working on have given me both the joy of completing them and the delayed pleasure of sitting on a bench and enjoying the effect. This has given me so much pleasure, much more than the endless socializing ever did.

Of course I will resume meeting with people eventually, but it will be much less often and for shorter, and perhaps more convenient times. Even though I have enjoyed our favorite restaurants and coffee shops, I may prefer to have a few people in to my house for a late afternoon tea. In good weather tea in one of my courtyards (I've broken up some larger spaces into more intimate spaces this spring.) The idea of sitting in a crowded tea shop simply no longer appeals to me.

I will try to always have a sanitizer in the car, some sort of wipes. I will have larger wipes to bring along when I have the car serviced at the dealership. I've always thought of this in the past but never inclined to act upon this. I've always looked at the steering wheel, dashboard, and console, and upholstery to see if there is any grease or grime. I look at the door handles and buttons. They are usually real good about this, but I'm sure they don't sanitize anything.

The internet is a fantastic resource for food experiments and substitutions. Lots of tips on food storage and food safety. I compare government sites and personal websites to get the most usable information for what I want to do. I go to store websites to see if they list the products I need. It's been weeks and I've still not rounded up any instant milk.

I would consider home delivery for future needs. The drawback is when I ask for green lentils, they pick up green peas. When I ask for corn tortillas, they substitute flour tortillas. Some items look similar, but just aren't when it comes to the actual food preparation. Young shoppers are having to figure out what the real food is vs. the junk food they are used to.
It sort of reminds me of when I'd send my spouse to the store. If he didn't find what I wanted, he'd find one of the guys working the isles. He said it was more fun to ask the young men to help since they would walk him around the store and strike up a good conversation. I learned if he didn't get home by a certain time, that something interesting was in the shopping cart. I always made good use of it anyway. Just an older version of a young shopper.

I will avoid the free concerts this summer and the gyms. My exercises at home do not match the benefit of the gym class but it will have to suffice. If we get through next flu season without so many outbreaks and deaths between now and next winter, I'll reconsider. At that time, I'll reconsider getting together at public events.

I'm really hoping there will be a vaccine, but appears that is a ways down the road.

I will keep washing my hands a bazillion times a day!

FreqFlyer, have you ever used Yardley's scented soaps? I used to buy them years ago, for special treats, although I think the ultimate in soap are the French milled soaps. But they are quite expensive.

Yardley soaps were on sale recently so I stocked up, and got Aloe & Avocado, Shea Buttermilk and Creamy Coconut. I don't really sense the fragrance, but they are soft and smooth, and I feel indulgent just by using them.

One of the best I've had for fragrance was Mountain Mist, made by the woman from whom I used to buy organic lotions, creams, salves and lipstick. I loved the scent so much I couldn't use the soap. I think I've had it for over a dozen years now!

I don't think I'll buy liquid soap any more; it's become so thin that it barely seems like soap.

The lesson learned is that whenever their is a perceived health danger, real or imagined, the authorities will shut down society. I suspect it will happen every couple of years. I feel sorry that my kids will have to live their lives that way.

Nothing. Not going to live my life in fear...Already gave up enough from January to April....time for life to get back to the way it was.

Great posting!
Oh my goodness where do I start??
I would definitely be more prepared, I’m so ashamed that I was so unprepared this first time, I can’t believe it’s late April and I still can’t find toilet paper, not even on Amazon.

I would want to be prepared from ‘November to April’ with ALL paper products from toilet paper to my mother’s depends! Have a fully stocked medicine cabinet...Mucinex, Tylenol, Robitussen, Aspirin, Vitamins & Minerals. At least a 90 supply of our daily meds. Major cleaning supplies from bleach (bc I still can’t find bleach) wipes, sanitizers, aerosol disinfectant (to spray on our shoes!) detergent, distilled vinegar, soap, disposable masks & gloves.

Canned salmon, tuna fish, beans, PB & J. I want to have my food cabinets fully stocked So all I need to order for grocery delivery is produce/meat. it’s been outrageously expensive to buy weekly items from Apps (please don’t get me wrong I appreciate that it’s even available when you actually get a delivery date) but when you really don’t have money it’s a real hardship for delivery fees, service fees and tipping on every single purchase. Extra batteries, flash lights for a storm during Covid-19 too.

I wish I had a washer & dryer it’s been completely stressful, and anxiety to no end to go out and wash our clothes at a laundromat...I actually pay for a second wash cycle bc I don’t know who used the machine before me and extra extra hot time in the dryer, I’m paranoid.

We live in the epicenter of this virus in this country, I’m still so worried I can’t even sleep. I see so many ppl not taking it seriously at all and it’s sad. I thank God I have a home with a backyard, small porch at least we can go out and get some fresh air once the weather gets warmer.

Actions I would change - no more kissing ppl hello, no more peace be with you handshakes at Mass, or any business interactions, I don’t believe I’ll be taking my mom to any restaurants anytime soon (or any other crowded place), it’s hard for someone with Dementia not to touch their face, etc. it’s hard for me!

wow I’m writing too much (sorry) you get the picture;)

The hardest thing for me is the change in education. I do not like teaching online, but will try to figure out how to make it work well, so that I'm ready for the next time we have to teach this way.

Also, I'm rethinking my idea of moving into senior housing when I feel my house and yard are too much to care for. I don't know how to consider this further, but do not want to be trapped in a shut down in close quarters with an infection running wild.

My life hasn't changed too much - eating out less and shopping less. I do miss hugging people I love and I look forward to doing this again.

I think the biggest changes are yet to come. We may all be required to wear face masks in public and make good use of hand sanitizer as well.

I really don’t intend to do things much differently...I will probably use hand sanitizer more frequently...I will make sure I have more essential products on hand, the hoarding that was as exhibited was extreme, and will purchase an extra refrigerator/freezer for the garage, something I intended to do a long time ago...
I am not going to wear a mask everywhere...and I don’t intend to stay six feet away but I will honor those that still want to maintain social distancing by not invading their space...
I might view this differently if I lived in a packed metro area...but I don’t...

Being pretty well stocked up and cooking in bulk and freezing meals is pretty much what I've always done, so m big changes there. I will minimize store visits and doctor's appts and I will probably not return to my senior exerciese classes until or if public spaces become safer.

Spend more time with loved ones. Eat out less. Be more grateful for every morning!

Maintain a plentiful stock of toilet paper, paper towels, simple hand soap and basic cleaning supplies.

Dont miss any opportunity to tell someone how much I love them.

Cut ties with negative, ungrateful and selfish people. It sure is easy to spot them in adverse circumstances.

I won't be do much changing. I need to keep a little more money at home, and be sure we have two backup bottles of Peroxide and Lysol wipes. Other than that, our life will be about the same.

For us, all that hand sanitizer and germ chasing in the house is not necessary. There are just 2 of us in the house. No one except the cleaning lady who comes twice a month has been in our house for months. My daughter might have been in 3 months ago or so. Hubby and I remember the quarantines from years ago. Remember, we delt with Polio, Scarlet Fever, Bryce Disease, Mumps, WhoopingCough, Measles and and many other diseases. I have been quarantined before so this is not my first rodeo, maybe that makes a difference.

I have a girlfriend who is a germ-a-phobic. She drives me nuts spraying everything down all the time. She does not give her body time to develop immunity to anything. I believe we need to develop anti-bodies to diseases. Otherwise, our poor immune system doesn't develop because it has nothing to practice on. I think that was a George Carlin saying.

Since this is not my or hubby's first rodeo with communicable diseases, I guess we have a different attitude. Also, we have tried to learn from life and we always have plenty of food on hand. I went hungry when I was young and it leaves marks on your soul. Our big shopping was fresh fruits and vegetables, The stores had plenty of those. I am going to keep trying to purchase food that is grown here in the U.S.

For me, unlikely I will change that much. I have always been a handwasher thanks to my mother when I was a child. She was a bit of a fanatic telling us not to drink or eat off of anyone else. When hand sanitizer came out, I was using it immediately! My background is also in healthcare so I was actually shocked how other healthcare professionals are not so clean. Yuk. I travel in Mexico a lot and I found out that by washing my hands and/or using hand sanitizer, I get sick turista less! Especially when it came to vomiting. As long as I have traveled in the Latin countries, I still end up with stomach issues but mostly loose bowel. Different bacterias, parasites etc. Even constipation where I am quite NORMAL at home! I know, TMI!

I have never liked hand shaking and I usually make an excuse for not shaking someone's hand but sometimes it is hard to avoid. I do love the hugs, thanks to my lovely Latin friends. I did not grow up that way in my family, but I do enjoy it. Giving and receiving. I think the ordering food and products online is not so great, especially now. Yes, it is handy but the poor people that work for Amazon and some of these companies are getting sick because they are not being protected! And they are extremely overworked. I worked in the delivery business for 8 years when I was younger. It is hard, stressful and physical work!

I think being grateful is huge. Yesterday I went out and took photos of the lovely spring flowers and trees in my home here in the PNW of the U.S. and some of the pretty old homes and their gardens. I sent the photos to my friends to let them know what I was up to and received many compliments and greetings. In my isolation as a single female, it gave me joy to give a smile to someone, wave as we crossed the street to avoid each other and just having so much fresh spring air amongst such beauty! It is also a realization that we cannot take anything for granted. I know many people plans have been disrupted-travel-funeral-weddings and that is heart-breaking. But we are moving forward, tho albeit slower than some of us would like.

Interesting to read everyone's responses. Thanks!

Slow Living
Accomplishing only 2 important things a day
Nourishing spirit
Turning from vegetarian to vegan
Helping saving animals from animal markets and animal farms
Calling all my friends every weekend
Cutting down all non essential
Live every day as it was the last one

Get out more.

Love deeper
Speak sweeter
Give forgiveness I've been denying

Tim McGraw Live like you were Dying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9TShlMkQnc