According to the CDC, that’s one of the very basic precautions that should be in every family’s plan for helping to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

These days, it’s impossible to turn on a radio or television or log on to a digital media platform without hearing about the virus and its trek worldwide. While the disease may not yet be virulent in the U.S., the coverage certainly is.

That’s a good thing. As global citizens, we need to be and stay informed about what could become a substantial health crisis.

No one can predict with certainty if the virus will become widespread in the United States, certainly not at this early stage. Yet as parents we need to start thinking about the possible major impacts on family life -- and have contingency plans in place to address them.

In my opinion, here are the big issues families ought to be thinking about proactively:

Deal with your own anxieties. If you’re seriously worried about the virus, find a safe place to express your concerns to other adults. Talk to your partner and your friends. If your worry is outsized, consult a therapist. Bottom line, get the support you need so you don’t end up passing your anxiety on to your children.

Get informed. The CDC website is loaded with valuable information for parents. On it you can find out about the symptoms of COVID 19, the disease caused by the virus; how it spreads; children-specific data; prevention tips and precautions; FAQs; travel restrictions; recommendations for when to call a doctor and more -- all vetted by the best medical professionals in the county.

Stay informed. You can easily sign up for weekly updates about the virus on the CDC website. Or choose any reputable new sources to keep yourself informed, especially in the case of breaking news.

Make a plan for school closures. If the coronavirus becomes prevalent in your city, the local school district may decide to close schools. Talk to friends and neighbors to figure out a contingency plan if that possibility becomes an eventuality.

Talk to employers about working remotely. Many businesses will allow workers whose jobs can be performed remotely to work from home. If you’re not sure if your employer will do so -- or you have the type of job that cannot be performed remotely and you’ll need child care -- develop a plan that will keep your kids safe and supervised while you’re at work.

Summer camps and summers abroad. The school year will end before we know it. I haven’t seen much about local cities cancelling summer camps at this point, but be sure to have a back-up plan. Many summer programs abroad are already being preemptively cancelled. Now is the time to partner with your college-aged children and their institutions for a Plan B for Summer 2020.

Consider needs of parents and other elderly relatives. In early March when the disease was starting to gain a foothold in Seattle, Washington city officials recommended that anyone over the age of 60 stay in their homes. Stay in regular touch with elders in your life and encourage them to take precautions as advised.

Think about summer vacation plans. Since no one knows where or how the virus will spread, you’ll need to be flexible about summer vacation plans, especially if you’ve already made them. Fortunately, many airlines are lifting restrictions and waiving fees around rebooking. But those financial reprieves won’t soothe disappointed feelings…so take a look at what you’ve planned and see what you can adjust so your family can still enjoy the summer.

Talk to your kids about the virus. Don’t know where to start or how much information to reveal? NPR recently had a superb three-minute segment specifically directed at kids that explains what the virus is and how it’s affecting all of us. Sit your kids down for a listen together and then answer their questions. The site also features a great graphic comic just for kids that explains the virus.

Have a family meeting. This is the time for parents to share they have a plan in place -- and not just for big issues like school closings. Talk about your every-day family plan in terms of hand-washing, more frequent laundry, and other precautions you’ll be following.

Revise and repeat. Circumstances are bound to change if and when the virus becomes more active in the United States. Regularly review and revise your plans, if necessary, and be sure to keep everyone informed.

And again, please wash your hands!