Preparations for a Pandemic

02/21/2020 | me

[Fiji Hill]

Satellite Fever & the Asiatic Flu--Paul Perryman (1958)

Around, around, around go the satellites.
The Asiatic flu is winning the fight.
Like Around the World in 80 Days, too,
I've got the satellite fever and the Asiatic flu.

[setter]

We have not planted a garden in the last few years. Going to have a large one this year and try our hand at canning.

[waterhill]

We have a prepper ping-list somewhere around here.

Welcome to FR.

[Huskrrrr]

I’m a prepper. Living in the Bay Area, earthquakes are always a threat. There are many reasons for being prepared.

[ETCM]

the odds are the highest in our lifetime.

We just had a pandemic 10 years ago, the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009, infecting over a billion people. People dismiss it because of the very low mortality, low even for flu viruses. Novel H1N1 had a lower R₀ of 1.6, vs 2+ for COVID-19, and COVID-19 has at least 20X higher mortality.

[KarlInOhio]

Gas is good for about 3 months in storage. For longer, add a “stabilizer” that will keep the gas good for 2 years (search amazon for Sta-Bil Storage).

Better solution is to rotate stock. When you are going to fill your tank, fill it from your storage can and then bring it to the gas station to refill. I usually do it at least once a month.

[SheepWhisperer]

Rec90 if available. No ethanol. Bit more expensive, but no water intrusion

[Viking2002]

1) You just described my pantry under normal conditions. And don't forget the peanut butter!!!

2) I have a 90+ day surplus of all my critical meds (diabetes, BP, ERD, neuropathy, heart). Thank an erratic schedule and spotty memory for that.

3) Needs to be addressed.

4) I do have two new Polish Army surplus gas masks in case the germs throw mustard gas at us.

5) Got guns and ammo in everything necessary: .22 LR, .22 WMR, .38, .40 S&W, 5.56 MM, 7.62, 20 ga., and 12 ga. If someone tries to break in, it'll sound like a damn carnival in here.

6) I hate crowds. And people. I'm an equal-opportunity crank.

7) That door swings both ways. What makes you think I won't spread some of my native germs to you?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Prepping is a hobby.

Not if you're getting a colonoscopy.

[redlegplanner]

1. Get some seed potatoes. Potatoes have the highest yield of any veg and store just fine in a cool basement. We have stopped eating last year’s crop so that if required, we can plant those in addition to those set already aside for seed.

2. Read “The Great Influenza by John Barry and think about how those effects in 1918 would translate into today’s JIT economy. surprise is something that happens in your own mind.

3. Do not plan on using the medical system - we will be millions of beds short, even before the workers take a hit.

[Wneighbor]

Water treatment plans, make them now.

Think about contingencies for any relatives you may need to assist. Parents? Handicapped? (We have three parents in their 80s and an elderly aunt in a local nursing home)

Also we had a renter pass away from flu this week. Some of our sanitizing stock will need to be utilized there. Whatever the level of pandemic (or as some insist seasonal flu) the more people who are prepared, the better our national, state or local ability to address needs.

Just think and prepare for the unexpected.

[FoundinTexas]

My husband and I are planting a garden and buying chickens to raise for eggs.

[BipolarBob]

Not if you're getting a colonoscopy.

I got pictures of mine printed to show that I have inner beauty. Of course when I was leaving the doctors office, I overheard him say about me "What an a-hole" but I don't know how to take it. If that was good or bad.

[cloudmountain]

Definitely most are going to survive. However death is not the worry. The worry is of a lot of people getting very sick all about the same time. That has the POTENTIAL to interrupt the supply chain for food etc, cause economic hardship and overwhelm hospitals.

The overwhelmed hospitals would be in CHINA, not here. We have SO many hospitals that I don't think we could ever fill them with SICK people.

But you are 100% correct about the Chinese problems of interrupting the supply chain for food and such.
Gee, ain't communism great?

[cloudmountain]

Some folks here, and throughout the US have health challenges of all manner, transplant patients for example - that makes it very wise to prepare, much as they would for a hurricane or any other unexpected event. This however is different, in that just making a trip to the grocery store could expose them to a virus that could easily kill them. Please understand that many folks fight battles that you maybe wholly unaware of, and try not to take it personally that those folks NEED to prepare and protect themselves.
May God guide and strengthen each who calls upon Him.
Tatt

Yes, I know all that. EVERYONE has problems.

YET, we ARE the wealthiest, safest, strongest country this planet has ever seen.

I attend Mass six days a week and most of my prayers to our good Lord are prayers of THANKSGIVING. He has blessed me SO much.
He has blessed THIS country so very much!

[cloudmountain]

Lol. Where DID you find that?

Yes, the Chinese have been producing beautiful silk, jade and HORRIBLE viruses.
The former things make the Chinese worthwhile.
The filth they live in makes them produce the HORRIBLE viruses.

[Ancesthntr]

Nice variation on The Far Side.

[Jane Long]

You have to pay to get the guys prep list.

Do you happen to have it?

[Georgia Girl 2]

Well I guess we will eat up that year's supply of freeze dried food in the garage that we've been saving for when the grid goes down. 😆

[PGalt]

I do not, Jane.