Panic-buying for No-Deal Brexit?

[LiviFri]

Is anyone else doing this? I have begun bulk-buying dry goods and general supplies. While I recognise that I am panic-buying, the past weeks have frightened the hell out of me. I did consider starting this thread under money and/or mental health.

The possibility of no-deal is rising by the day and my heart goes out to the Mumsnetter who started the insulin thread here. I rely on various medicines too and my GP is already being extremely judicious (to put it politely) with dispensing medicines. So stocking on meds looks to be quite difficult.

The deceit and irresponsibility of all our politicians is terrifying, the no-deal concept is being drip-fed to us as if it were totally normal. And it makes me so incredibly angry.

I know that "No deal won't be allowed to happen" has been floating around. But it feels like we're sleepwalking into a disaster. To the point where it's hard to believe any governmental statement, given how mad and criminally irresponsible the situation is. I mean, who would trust a "public service announcement" coming from this government (or indeed the opposition)? Or any government trying to carry out Brexit, given that it's essentially a self inflicted disaster?

[OVAgroundWOMBlingfree]

I’m a natural prepper so I have a stockpile and I’m still adding to it. My stockpile started because I grew up rurally and we would often lose power or have to deal with extreme weather.

Do you have mental health issues that you could speak to your GP about if you feel anxiety is building to an unmanageable level?

I think doubling up on food you know you will eat is a good idea. Same with loo roll, cleaning products etc. but make wise choices and do it slowly.

Despite many rolled eyes elsewhere, there is a lot of decent prepping info on the Preppers board here on MN.

Also make sure to have your flu jab.

[jm90914]

The head of the Food and Drink Federation has said we “won’t go hungry” in the event of no deal, but may run out of some foods.

The mans name is Ian Wright if you want to look it up.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s certainly said the situation is utterly dire for the food industry (food is already rotting in fields because we can’t attract enough workers to pick it), but he has been pretty clear on the point that we won’t run out of food. Choice may become more limited.

Whether he’s right or not I’ve no idea, but he knows more on the subject than I, so...

As to medicine, I’m reliant on drugs too and nobody seems to have the foggiest if there will be a problem with them.

[Easilyflattered]

Head over to the preppers topic, there are some really helpful posters, Bellini is one who is knowledgeable. I think there's quite a few people putting away a few bits, but don't panic.

[LiviFri]

Thanks all xxx
The Preppers board is really helpful. Is so good to see that others are discussing this.

[bellinisurge]

Thank you @Easilyflattered .

[nuttynutjob]

Also look into 48% Preppers Facebook group

[LiviFri]

And a PS, regarding OVAground's comment on anxiety. Yes it's a problem, but dealing with it with doctor. I have been overspending although it's all stuff that will be used. If anyone else has been binge-buying, there are resources on debt and mental health on Martin Lewis's website.

[BrexitDestruction]

I've been doing it since the Summer. I don't trust the government not to smash us all into the ground and I don't lose anything by preparing. I'll be ramping it up after Christmas. The govt website for citizen preparation is supposed to go live mid-Jan. That's when everyone will panic buy.

Look at today. An entire airport closed due to drones. Proposed No Deal air supplies could be stopped by drones, adverse weather or a volcano explosion. We could be completely cut off. Brilliant. Well done Brexits.

[LiviFri]

So agree with you, @BrexitDestruction. Airport shutdown strongly suggests the state of things to come. Is interesting as an example of a so-called "managed" disaster - government making empty statements and looking clueless.

[Singletomingle]

Has anyone actually read the EU's quietly released statement in which they admitted that actually in the event of no deal nothing would really change?

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Got a link, singletomingle?

[Redskyandrainbows67]

My worry is water - even Michael Gove has admitted this will be a problem in the event of a no deal - the chemicals to purify it are apparently imported from the Eu and too volitile to stockpile. I don’t think we’d ever get to a drinking shortage but I could see a bath once a week plan or shower ban coming in. Def a hosepipe pan too.

[JamesBondFilm]

I haven't even got enough loo paper to see me through to Christmas, so I hope too many people aren't stockpiling.

[SunnySomer]

I’m not really a stockpiler or prepper, but I am very worried about medication: when I last pick it up half my prescription was missing as they’d been unable to source it. When I asked what they were doing to prepare for March the pharmacist saying “nothing, we’ve no idea what’s happening “. So I said I thought I’d stockpile a bit and he reckoned the surgery ‘s comouter system wouldn’t let me (this is true: it does prevent you re-ordering within a certain timeframe).
My job is public sector sourcing and certainly we have contingency plans for all our contracts (there would be riots if we didn’t get some of our supplies), but somehow the notion that we should just chill when it comes to keeping our bodies alive sits uncomfortably with me 🙁

[Singletomingle]

I don't have a link it was through Facebook either BBC news or Sky news I think.

[abbsisspartacus]

There is a way you can get a small stockpile of medication you tell them you went away for the weekend left your medication at the hotel and they disposed of it I'm not recommending that you do this of course

[MissMalice]

I don’t think that’s an accurate representation of the EUs statement at all.

[BrexitDestruction]

Neither do I. I do know that they are far better prepared for No Deal than we have any hope of being at this stage.

[1tisILeClerc]

The EU statement that was put out a couple of days ago quite a lot will change things for the UK. Their no deal plans are to withdraw everything possible within 9 or 12 months. SOME things won't change immediately, but tariffs for all goods start on 30 March so customs will be necessary and will jam up withing days or maybe less. Truck drivers will be OK for now and many airlines will be OK but there will be restrictions so a plane UK to Europe must return directly and not hop to elsewhere in Europe.

[xebobfromUS]

I don't think you are panic buying, I think you are prudent buying.

One thing I have observed living here in Florida with regard to hurricanes, the public is told by government officials to have at least three days worth of emergency supplies ( food, medicine, water ).

They can say that because the disruption will be localized and not affect the whole country. If a disruption has the possibility to affect an entire country then most likely the respective government will tell the people to not worry about acquiring emergency supplies, everything will be taken care of.

Why? They don't really want to tell people how bad things could get and / or the government itself is busy acquiring emergency supplies ( which will most likely be stored on military bases ) to keep itself alive and healthy if things really go south.

There was a guy who came out with a book called " Warning Signs ". How do you know if you are being paranoid or not? If you out in a large field with small crops or bushes no more than say 2 feet high, and you are scared that a very big man with a knife is going to jump out at you and try to attack you, then yes you are being paranoid.

If however you just left a bar or nightclub late at night in a very bad section of a city and you think you are hearing footsteps behind you, then most likely you are about to be mugged. You need to run as fast as you can to your vehicle and get inside.

So many credible sources ( if people care to listen ) are saying that no-deal could be very, very bad so it's only prudent to prepare as best as one can for such an unfavorable event.

[bellinisurge]

I agree about it being prudent. The EU is basically making sure that lorry drivers aren't stranded and EU holiday businesses can get through this coming holiday season.
Tariffs on goods start in Day one.

[Childrenofthesun]

Yup, the announcement that tariffs will start on day 1 means that's when the customs checks and massive traffic delays will start so the food imports will be held up. Very worrying the way the skeleton arrangements the EU are making to cover certain key areas are being misrepresented in reporting to make people believe nothing is going to happen.

[BertrandRussell]

I read a very interesting opinion piece recently that said it was a good idea for people who can afford the money and the room should start to gradually stockpile a bit now because that would mean less panic buying if it does turn out there’s a problem. That way people less able to buy in advance will get a look in.

And if you only buy stuff you use anyway and everything turns out OK, you just won’t have to shop for a bit. Which is also good,

[makingmiracles]

My mh is generally very good, but I agree this situation can make you feel very anxious. Luckily my kids and dp have no health issues so no need for prescription drugs but I do worry for my mum and DSil who need a cocktail of drugs every day, I have advised them both in the new year to say they are going traveling for a few months to see if their gps will prescribe an extra months worth, has to be worth a try.

Any prepping is prudent in my eyes, as long as it’s stuff you will eventually use anyway, I’m building up store cupboard and getting a new freezer in the new year so slowly building up stock, I’ve been adding extra calpol and basic medicines to my online shop every week so will have a couple of months supply of those by the new year.

I think as long as it doesn’t overtake your every waking moment, that the anxiety over brexit is completely normal and proportionate.

[IdaBWells]

At the very least it will help with your anxiety if you know you have some extra supplies. It’s also a constructive step to take, which I think also helps with anxiety. Lack of action is paralyzing, so keep adding to your supplies, prudently, sensibly.