Pandemics and Health Emergencies
A pandemic is a slow emergency. Nothing breaks on the first day, but for weeks or months shops, schools, workplaces and hospitals work differently. The households that cope best have three things: basic supplies at home, a plan for staying in, and reliable sources of information.
1. Before: prepare at home
- Keep your home kit stocked so you can stay in for a week or more without shopping.
- Keep extra supply of regular medicines when possible, and a written list of doses.
- Stock a basic home pharmacy: fever and pain medicine, a thermometer, oral rehydration salts, tissues, soap and hand sanitiser.
- Keep vaccinations up to date, following your national health authority.
- Plan who can look after children, older relatives or pets if you fall ill.
- Ask your employer about working from home and sick leave rules.
- Keep copies of health information for everyone in the household.
2. During: reduce the spread
- Follow your national health authority. Measures change as knowledge grows. That is normal, not a sign of confusion.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Stay home when you are ill.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
- Ventilate rooms. Keep distance and use a mask when authorities recommend it.
- Check on neighbours who live alone, by phone or from the door.
If someone at home is ill
- Give them a separate room if you can, and one person as carer.
- Rest and fluids. Watch for warning signs such as difficulty breathing, confusion or chest pain, and call your doctor or the emergency number.
- Clean surfaces that are touched often. Wash hands after contact.
Protect your mind
- Keep routines: sleep, meals, movement, contact with other people.
- Check the news once or twice a day, from official sources, not all day.
- Do not share unverified health claims. See how to recognise real information during a crisis and Mental Resilience.
3. After
- Restock medicines and supplies.
- Catch up on postponed health appointments.
- Note what you missed at home and add it to your plan.
Quick checklist
- Home kit for at least 7 days
- Extra regular medicines and a dose list
- Thermometer, fever medicine, rehydration salts
- Soap, sanitiser, tissues
- Care plan for children, older relatives and pets
- Official health sources saved
Read also: Pandemic preparedness in Norway, Older adults and all risks.
Sources
- FEMA / Ready.gov: Pandemics
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
Educational material, not medical advice. Always follow your doctor and your national health authority. Last reviewed: November 2026.