With the current COVID-19 situation and potential recession, what can we as normal people do about it to get past this tough period?

I think medically we must go well through these times.

From a financial point of view there is no change for investors who have anyway a very longterm strategy. No selling or trading for short term speculation necessary. Buying on current dip if cash available is a good things even when on more noisy/panic news there could be more drop down, no problem.

The virus spread globally will take some more months, then come down. The supply chains will recover. I hope the asian governments will forbid permanently trading of wild animals on the food markets.

(Let's abstain from eating bat soup, pangolins and hopefully animal meat generally. Consider well, whether traditional medicine is really so helpful:

https://www.sacredlotus.com/go/chinese-herbs/su...)

We need to be responsible, not just for ourselves but also for the people around us especially with the disease spreading through contact.

Best if you have a side income stream, if not have your emergency funds ready and most importantly, stay healthy in mind and body.