By definition, it is not a pandemic. It is an outbreak. It doesn't become pandemic until it starts traveling around the world and affecting large numbers of people (the movie, Contagion, was a pandemic scenario).
If you are really worried, you can wear surgical masks when you go outside. That will help protect you from a disease that spreads through aerosols. Remember not to touch your face, and wash your hands frequently. The little hand sanitizers will help in a pinch, but should not substitute for hand washing. Some diseases lurk on surfaces, and you can catch them by touching the surface, then your face.
The kidney involvement sounds like hanta virus to me, which is spread through rodent urine, and spreads through aerosol. Bleach surfaces you suspect are contaminated, and if you must pick up a dead rodent, wear a surgical mask and latex or nitrile gloves, and wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards. You should lather your hands for about 15 seconds, rinse, and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Hope this helps.
I have a box of good masks, not the cheapies, and gloves and even eye shields, and bottles of sanitizer and antibacterial soap, but I don't have to leave my house for anything as long as I want, so I'm not. I can't take the vaccine and I'm 80 so I'll be chillin’ out in my own country where I am President for Life.