Contingency planning is not for what we have, but for the likely hypothetical worst-case scenario.
Things can and do exceed that hypothetical instance in nature.
When prevention can be effective, it is often best to err on the side of caution, and when dealing with the news media, every report must be regarded with cautious suspicion. Trust (some), but verfy, just in case for once the talking heads are not relying on hype to push the story. (Sometimes, hype is not necessary, as in the Boxing Day Tsunami.)
I'm a former Boy Scout, long ago and far away, and still find the motto, "Be Prepared", to be some of the best advice anyone can follow.
If individuals prepare for even relatively minor disruptions in services/availability of ordinary necessities, then any disruption becomes less of a crisis, and major disruptions may become survivable events.
While TEOTWAWKI style facillities and stores are beyond the average budget, a week to a month's worth of extra nonperishable groceries, some bottled water, bleach to sterilize more, some OTC medications, extra TP, tissues for the other end, and garbage bags, a few bars of soap and a couple of jugs of hand sanitizer can go a long way. A few N-95 masks (which can be used doing anything dusty to keep that out of your lungs, too), might be a good idea. And a small camp stove which will boil water with fuel would nicely round out your kit. This doesn't require any more room than a small closet, if that much, and won't cost thousands. A couple of flashlights, a radio (a hand-crank/solar 'survival radio' is something you can charge up by cranking it), some spare batteries, and if you feel the need, a firearm and ammo for self protection. You may have most or all of what is on that very basic list already.
Having that does a couple of things, for one it gives you the ability to limit contact with others in the event of a serious outbreak and lockdown, without desperately needing to go out for food, and you can stretch food out for twice as long by simply eating half as much--in a pinch rationing works.
Your food will keep, without refrigeration.
You will be able to cook it without utility services.
You will be able to purify water for consumption.
The basics are covered, except for coping with the weather where you are.
For that, imagine coping in your climate without gas or electric service and do what you think you will need to do so.
Being prepared also makes whatever community preparations more effective, because you are one less person, one less family that the community has to supply, and in the instance that it applies, this means many fewer opportunities for infection for you.
The other, and all too seldom stressed preparation consists of knowledge.
The more you know, the better off you will be--and not theoretical knowledge necessarily, but practical things in the event that many of the services we rely on are not up and running.
How much bleach does it take to purify a gallon of water? How much is too much (You can overdo it.) Just one site with the answer, a search will yield others.
Now is the time to learn, whether it be how to (safely) hook up that generator in a pinch, how to help someone sick get the phlegm out of their lungs, to siphon gas, put out a fire, bandage a wound, splint a leg, or a host of other atypical skills you might need if you have to rely on yourself. What you cannot commit to memory, you might want to print out and put in a binder--because if there is a serious problem, your computer might not work, either.
Consider taking first-aid and CPR courses.
There is nothing so liberating as knowing you can survive, and your family with you, without immediately relying on government aid.
Note, too, no capability is a guarantee, it just improves your odds in a pinch.
And, for the record, I do not sell or market any survival products or training or information, so my interest isn't economic, I just want good, solid, folks around when things go wrong, if they go wrong.
Will the next wave be a killer plague, or will it break far offshore and do little?
We don't know.
But the more we are ready for, the less the impact will be on our society, and with the Grace of God, us.
I thoroughly respect the possibilities of a severe pandemic, and the fact that it could happen, has happened before, and this fits the pattern. That is not cause for panic, just for being ready in case the worst case comes about.
As a friend of mine once said, "I'll be loaded for bear. If it's a mouse, I'm good to go. If I was loaded for mouse and it was a bear, I'd be up sh*t creek!"
Excellent advice! Thank you for the ping. :)
So much could be said in just that one phrase. Liberation vs. aid. If and when the time comes millions will look to the government for aid. And they will be herded up into quarantine camps or hospitals...and their survival chances will change dramatically.
There is one nightmare though that rumbles round my worst case scenario head, what to do if they are literally taking out whole blocks within a neighborhood? Sick or not sick you are forced to go or be arrested?
I imagine one might realize the possibility ahead of time and have a chance to flee. But, if those are the extremes and mobility is hampered will one be able to flee? Showing up at a checkpoint with a car loaded down? Wife, kids, pets, go bags, cash and guns? Will they confiscate your cash and guns at the checkpoint inspection? Arrest the whole family, kill your pets?
Yeah, the nightmare scenario. Couldn't happen here.