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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm not a prepper. I'm not an alarmist. But AIBU to be considering a small stockpile or supplies because of Corona?

225 replies

Hollyboba · 25/02/2020 21:40

I've never done so in my life.

I usually have a wee snort at the preppers board when it pops up in general convos (sorry guys, no offence)

But reading about the Italian villages that have been put on lock down and families can't leave their homes has got me thinking...

Italy isn't a million miles away. Its not a 3rd world country. If its happened there...

Maybe just some bottles of water and some tinned goods? Medicines?

Am I going mad?

Just the more I read about the more sensible it seems. Even if it's not a case of being officially quarantined then it might be a good idea as it goes on not to have to go shopping as often as I do now?

Argh I don't know!

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 26/02/2020 07:37

Being prepared for a two week quarantine at home doesn't "make you a prepper " - there isn't a badge. It's just common sense at the moment. Don't get hung up on names for it, op.

ElderAve · 26/02/2020 07:40

In any real,prolonged supply crisis, we'd soon seen soceity breakdown,so unless you have a gun and are prepared to use it, stockpiles won't help you. Certainly don't tell anyone you have them!

corythatwas · 26/02/2020 07:40

@corythatwas in the unlikely event that water supply is an issue: Collect rain, filter any large bits leaves etc ) out through a T-shirt. Hard rolling boil for a minute = water ready to drink. Don't just take my word for it, look it up from a reliable source.

Was wondering why nobody mentioned boiling. It's what explorers always used to do.

Wallywobbles · 26/02/2020 07:41

I bulk buy quite a lot of household stuff through amazon subscription which gives me a 15% discount. Bin bags, deodorant, loo cleaner, shampoo, tampons, dog and cat food, washing powder, printer cartridges and the like

Skyejuly · 26/02/2020 07:43

Oh yea dont forget Sanpro. I use washable but teen DD uses disposable.
Razors
Shaving stuff
Skincare if used
Deodrant

Sugarfreejelly · 26/02/2020 07:46

I always have a pile of next size up clothes for kids plus shoes.

You’re imagining a long quarantine then?!

HAhelp101 · 26/02/2020 07:59

I would basics like paracetamol ibuprofen. Kids medicine, nappies, bread in the freezer, rice pasta, uht milk and eggs! Tea and coffee and squash. And any other medicines used by the family for illness or regularly. Also sanpro!

MarshaBradyo · 26/02/2020 08:04

ElderAve yep. Prolonged water supply loss people will go looking.

Jenasaurus · 26/02/2020 08:15

I add a few bags of pasta and sauces plus loo rolls and complan every shop.

Jenasaurus · 26/02/2020 08:16

I hadn’t thought about water. Will add some to my next shop

pelirocco123 · 26/02/2020 08:20

It might be an idea to have extra food incase its not possible to get out for supplies ,however it would have to be an apocalypse to prevent water coming out your taps

Skyejuly · 26/02/2020 08:25

The clothes is because:

I know it will get used
I have been left with zero money before several times
Not for quarantine for coronavirus.

bd67thSaysReinstateLangCleg · 26/02/2020 08:40

In any real,prolonged supply crisis, we'd soon seen soceity breakdown,so unless you have a gun and are prepared to use it, stockpiles won't help you.

In the UK, our access to firearms is very limited and you're likely to be shot with your own gun when the raiders take it from you. It's a good idea to be discreet about what you have and think carefully about you get rid of rubbish in case of prolonged supply disruptions. A stockpile is better than no stockpile in the majority of instances (snow, coronavirus, getting the flu, breaking a limb) and fear of it being stolen from you shouldn't stop you from having one.

HasaDigaEebowai · 26/02/2020 08:50

Everyone should be ensuring that they have a 2-3 weeks supply of food and essential meds at the moment. Its just common sense. Its possible that areas could get locked down like they have in Italy (or that you could come into contact with someone and need to self isolate) and if that's the case you want to be safely at home not needing to venture out.

thecatsthecats · 26/02/2020 08:57

To be honest UNLESS YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT, I find the opposite behavior odd.

To me it's perfectly normal practice to have a well stocked cupboard of tins. Buying only for the week or a very little extra is the odd thing, surely?

(again, fecking great if you can afford it caveat - when my food shop was £13 a week I didn't stock up!)

bellinisurge · 26/02/2020 08:59

@ElderAve are you in the UK. People don't have guns here.

GinDrinker00 · 26/02/2020 09:04

Yanbu, considering two countries have already locked down and Italy isn’t that far from us and it’s already in the UK... My kitchen is always stocked up though so I’m not overally worried I do feel bad for those who can’t afford to stock up.

HasaDigaEebowai · 26/02/2020 09:05

Three countries have areas in lockdown. Vietnam also has a small area in lockdown.

Grasspigeons · 26/02/2020 09:07

People do have guns in the uk! Theres all the illegal ones and then all the licenced ones. One of my rellies owns a shops that sells stuff for game hunting for instance.

I live somewhere which gets cut of easily in floods and snow so tend to have bits put by in the winter in particular. We get a lot of power cuts too. I might extend to a sipply of water this time round.

SusanneLinder · 26/02/2020 09:08

Think it's sensible to have a couple of weeks food in just in case. I am not particularly worried about Coronavirus for me,but I do worry about DH as he has long term health issues.
I always have tinned food, pasta,full freezer etc. Might buy bread flour, UHT milk,water and definitely dog food.
Not that I think the electricity/water is going to off, but if there is a leak/power cut and there is a quarantine, there might not be people to fix it.

ElderAve · 26/02/2020 09:13

That's the issue @bellinisurge. Some people do have guns, not usually nice prepping families with stockpiles of essentials. Also how else would you defend your stockpile against a mob, even if they don't have guns?

Kazzyhoward · 26/02/2020 09:18

My cupboards are always full and always have been. I don't see the point of "just in time" shopping. I bulk buy everything when there are BOGOFs and other discounts - saves a fortune and I hardly buy anything at "normal" prices.

I never buy anything we don't use in a typical week, so no rusty tins of corned beef at the back of the cupboard. I put new purchases at the back of the shelves/cupboards, so the older stuff gets moved to the front as I go along.

I do it with all groceries and kitchen supplies, toiletries, cleaning stuff, etc. At the moment, I have a huge pile of loo rolls in the garage as the large multipacks have been on offer for a few weeks now.

It paid dividends when our town was blacked out by Storm Desmond a few years ago. We had no electric for a few days, meaning shops etc where also closed. We just carried on as normal, and were able to lend loads of stuff to "just in time" neighbours who really struggled.

Kazzyhoward · 26/02/2020 09:20

Buying only for the week or a very little extra is the odd thing, surely?

It's also more expensive. Bulk buying, BOGOFs, buying extra when discounted, etc is far cheaper.

FelicityFebruary · 26/02/2020 09:22

We buy on offer too Kazzy. Don't ha e supplies in the garage though!

gamerchick · 26/02/2020 09:25

That's the issue @bellinisurge. Some people do have guns, not usually nice prepping families with stockpiles of essentials. Also how else would you defend your stockpile against a mob, even if they don't have guns

This always comes up on these threads. I can never figure out if people are saying be extra careful or don't bother at all.