Posted on 10/12/2014 6:20:37 AM PDT by BobL
Now that it's proven that Ebola transmission doesn't necessarily respect international borders and confine itself to "those countries", perhaps it's time that paranoid types (me included) update our supplies and get ready for what may come. I'll state what I see as worst-case, and others are welcome to chime-in and comment (or contradict) what I say.
First, if the virus spreads out of control (which I consider possible, as long as it is being given civil rights), there is only one way to stop it, and that is a near-complete lock-down of the country, with only essential workers allowed out of home confinement. The country will basically look like a giant ghost town with a small number of people in space suits trying to keep order and hand out supplies to the 98% of the people that are totally unprepared. They will also try to keep operating utilities such as power, natural gas, clean water, and sewage treatment. Not much need for gasoline though as our consumption rate will drop to next to nothing (so stockpiles will last a long time for those allowed to use it).
The next question is how long will the confinement be. I suspect that the confinement will be at least 30 days (longer for people having some contact with victims), and it will take some time to clear the streets.
So, as far as disasters go, this is actually one of the easier scenarios (try thinking about a landscape covered with radioactive fallout, for example, or even no water/power and a badly damaged house after a hurricane). In this case, you may lose water/power, but not right away. As far as being prepped to go out in public (i.e., clothing, masks, etc.) or taking care of Ebola patients, that's way out of my league. Others can discuss it, but I won't try.
So, my recommendations are as follows:
WATER
1) Storing Fresh Water: Ideally, you go on stored water. It can be bottled, although my first-line method is to take a large trash can, line it with 2 heavy duty trash bags, and then fill it up about 2/3s with tap water, that's good for about 20 gallons, which or about 20 man-days if used for drinking. There are also devices that fit in bathtubs for storing water, although these are getting hard to find.
2) Purifying Other Water: As a minimum have always fresh bleach, and be sure it's really fresh, as its shelf life is only 6 months. Even if you hate Wal-Mart, that's a great place to buy it, since they have huge turnover so your bleach will be fresh. Only buy PLAIN bleach, not scented or otherwise cute, and visit the Clorox site to get instructions on using it. When used properly it will kill off the vast majority of bugs that can get you, if your water supply is not clean. Lots more can be done beyond that, but it will cost some money.
3) Rain Water Collection: If your house has gutters, then try to come up with a way to collect that water. It is usually doable, and the water may be quite yucky (especially at the beginning of a storm), but it certainly beats not having water. If you have decent purification capability, you can live on it (even bleach is probably sufficient for most rain water).
FOOD
1) I think having 60 days tucked away is a good start, with half of that being starches (rice, noodles, etc.), which cost next to nothing, and the other half being yummy stuff, being not requiring refrigeration. So canned/dried food is good, with canned food being very cheap on a per calorie basis and lasting for years. I've been eating my 5 year old cans of food that were stored without any regard to temperature, reaching well over 80F in the house for 2 summers in a row. They are well beyond their expiration date, but taste great, with only slight changes from the newer stuff.
2) Beyond the above, you can then buy perishables, frozen/refrigerated food, since you'll likely have power for much of the time. At worst the power goes out and food ends up in trash bags at the curb. And BE SURE to have a lot of heavy trash bags.
3) For cooking, if you plan to rely on starches, you really need to have a way to cook them without relying on power or natural gas. I've about lost count of my ways to do that - starting with a propane stove, propane grill, gasoline (camping) stove, second gasoline stove, butane stoves and probably some other options. Don't try to get cute with a "solar stove" or "wood stove" only - you want something easy to use, and powerful. Just be sure whatever you have can boil water efficiently and that you have enough fuel to keep going (and that can be a lot of fuel if you boil). I like gasoline because I can pull it out of my cars, if I need to.
HEATING
Heating can certainly be a challenge. Here in Houston, it actually can get (relatively) cold, dipping well into the 20s for a few days each winter and not getting much above 40 during those spells. But every region and every home is different so I won't try to give a single set of recommendations. But a few things to consider: Electric blankets can make a boatload of difference for someone trying to stretch out a tank of propane (of course you need power), likewise thermal underwear. There are actually propane heaters that operate indoors although you need to have some air ventilation to prevent Oxygen depletion (and with the depletion Carbon Monoxide will be given off - otherwise, no Carbon Monoxide). Butane is similar, but I don't know where to find a space heater rated for indoor use. Never burn gasoline/wood indoors for heating without direct venting, because Carbon Monoxide will always be given off as a product of combustion. (burning gasoline indoors for cooking - I'm not really sure there, but I'd be very careful to have lots of fresh air, at a minimum). Needless to say, a battery powered Carbon Monoxide detector is a must if you have any indoor combustion.
OTHER STUFF
Lots of other items - just think of what you normally use, and have a decent supply. Also think of what might get used more, especially things like plastic bags and have a large supply of them. Paper items are another good thing to have - if water/soap is tight, you may want to use paper plates, for example. Batteries, of course. And also consider what happens if the power goes out. Do you have a manual can opener?
So that's it for now, I'm in pretty shape with the above (actually really good shape). Even if you're not a prepper you can still do a lot of the above on a temporary basis and then slowly consume the items (like food, paper towels, etc.) and your net cost is nothing, you simply bought the stuff a bit earlier than you otherwise would have. Even with food, you don't need to buy food that requires cooking (you may not be used to it, but most canned food doesn't require any heating/cooking to be safe, and yummy)...but it will certainly cost more than starches.
Good Luck!!
You’re welcome...and I too learned something from this discussion!
It is easy to not know this, or to overlook it.
You need the first decor station to be outside.
I wouldnt store food in trash bags. They do have chemicals which will leach out.
In college I had one that size in my wallet!
It is statements like that make people think Preppers are nut-cases.
Ebola LIHOP/MIHOP? Insanity.
“It is statements like that make people think Preppers are nut-cases.”
Agree. It’s simply pure incompetence, no different than holding off our troops in Benghazi. A bunch of political people that are TOTALLY UNQUALIFIED.
In this case, the two weakest areas of the Democrats are being put front and center right before an election: Open Borders and Healthcare. That is the LAST THING they wanted. They wanted to talk about the Republican “War on Women” and the ‘great’ economy. Now that’s totally blown out of the water. The only way something like this could have been planned would be by career people in DC trying, as usual, to embarrass a Republican president.
They are in total panic mode in the White House...trying to protect the civil rights of Ebola and still trying to appear to be keeping the country safe. This was certainly not in their plans regarding the final month before an election.
bkmk
I would think long and hard before going to the hospital if ill. Odds are, if you’re sick and have a fever, you”ll have the Flu or other less lethal virus. You certainly don’t want to go a place where you have a greater chance of getting Ebola. I’d be very wary of University hospitals in big cities.
If you can manage it, get IV supplies for rehydration.
You would have to add more than a heaping teaspoon full. How much more? I would guess 1 1/2 teaspoon (48 + 24= 72) but that is just a guess. There are some on here more familiar with the chemistry that I am.
Thanks Karto, seems that I had some other doses at 73%, so I’m set.
Not saying it’s too late, but supplies of critical items may be down, and those available are at elevated prices. . .
I’ve been reading a lot about the role of Vitamin C in combatting ebola infection. Massive amounts (relatively) are reputed to work. After an initial dose of 5 to 10 grams, follow up every hour with another 2 to 3 grams until the fever is defeated. Yes, this is 75+ grams of C potentially in a day! Proper hydration with electrolytes is necessary.
So, I have a large amount of Vitamin C added to my other regular vitamins. Also, (expensive) energy water in quantity, to replenish lost electrolytes.
I bought 300 shares of TKMR-—>Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. They are working on a vaccine.
“Obama’s created a real good excuse for the economy to go into the crapper.”
His whole purpose has been to overwhelm the system: Overwhelm the economy with aid to other countries, huge numbers of needy illegal aliens, and punishment for business. Overwhelm the health care system with bureaucracy and huge numbers of needy illegal aliens. Overwhelm the military by filling it with illegals who have no real allegiance to our country and put weapons in their hands. Overwhelm the middle class by taxing them beyond reason. Overwhelm homeland security by inviting huge numbers of illegal aliens to flood our borders and camouflage the influx of terrorists masquerading as Mexicans. Overwhelm our police by inciting race hatred and anarchy.
Now he will overwhelm all systems by importing ebola, using our soldiers as incubators, and transportation, education, and civic functioning will grind to a halt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.