“What’s the worst that can happen?” is a phrase we hear thrown around a lot. 

When I was younger and I felt nervous about a presentation or a test, my mother would always tell me to think about the worst-case scenario. What actually was the worst that could happen? I’d get a problem wrong or receive a bad grade? As such, the ‘worst’ often turned out to be manageable. If it felt like the end of the world at first, understanding and planning for it greatly lessened that feeling. 

The same exercise can be applied to a presently stressful situation—namely the coronavirus pandemic. Containing the virus is thought by experts to be the most prudent solution, but still it has spread exponentially in recent weeks. Now, epidemiologists’ consensus seems to be that most people—40 to 70 percent—could be carrying the coronavirus, or COVID-19, within the coming year; however, given the amount of data available, these are only projections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) best directives are social distancing and hand-washing, as well as other tips and pieces of advice that can be found at their websites.

The virus’ pervasion of society and popular culture has resulted in varying levels of misinformation and panic. To combat that, here is a walk-through of the worst-case scenario where you or someone in your immediate vicinity does catch coronavirus. 

The very first step should be to contact a doctor or healthcare provider and follow their instructions over all else. The severity of symptoms determines the level of preparation and treatment deemed necessary on their end. After consulting and following professional medical advice, either as precautions or necessary measures, rest and isolation are the best things you can do for yourself and those around you. Stay home, stay hydrated, and keep a distance from others.

If you feel sick, there are some measures that you can take to combat whatever illness it may be. “Self-care [for coronavirus] is very similar to other upper respiratory infections,” Boston area nurse Elisa Choi shared to The Atlantic. According to NBC News, experts are suggesting acetaminophen—the main ingredient in Tylenol painkillers—can be effective in combating the fever and body aches associated with the virus. Any cough medicine like Robitussin or Mucinex may help provide comfort, as well as use of a humidifier or a hot shower.

As always, wash your hands and practice caution. The state of the pandemic worldwide is fluid and evolving with the information and research found each passing day, and instructions from the CDC and WHO can change accordingly. For now, we all do what we can.