Many people are wondering how to prepare for Coronavirus. Worryingly, 13 more cases of Coronavirus were confirmed in the UK today according to the BBC News, bringing the total number of UK cases to 36, including patients in London and Surrey. It seems inevitable now that the virus will spread more widely in the UK. A significant majority of sufferers are expected to become very ill or even to die from the virus. It seems that the virus is affecting older people particularly badly.
NHS advice at present is as follows, in order to avoid catching or spreading the virus:
- wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel, if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
What else can we all do? I don’t have the answers on how to prepare for Coronavirus from a public health perspective, unfortunately, but from an estate planning point of view, it is now crucial to check that your Will is up-to-date and reflects your wishes accurately, just in case. This would ensure that your assets passed to the beneficiaries of your choice, if you died. If you have not done so already, it would also be wise to put in place Lasting Powers of Attorney for Health and Welfare and Property and Financial Affairs, in case you were to be taken seriously ill and needed an attorney to make decisions on your behalf.
If you would like to discuss making or updating your Will, or making Lasting Powers of Attorney urgently, please get in touch.