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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Only on mumsnet do people prep.

523 replies

Notlong20 · 26/02/2020 20:49

There is not one person I know in real life that is prepping for a coronavirus outbreak. In fact, no one I speak to even mentions the threat of the virus.

Of course we know of it as the hysteria surrounding it is all over the news / social media, but aibu to think preppers only exist on mumsnet?

OP posts:
WalkingDeadTrainee · 26/02/2020 20:51

Not only on MN. People emptied the shops where I am originally from and that country hasn't even had a case yet! Though it is expected with people who returned from Italy recently. It's not a panicky country so we are all quite surprised

BrieAndChilli · 26/02/2020 20:52

The first rule of prepping is NEVER admit it in real life!! Otherwise when the shit hits the fan everyone will know where to go to raid!!

thistimelastweek · 26/02/2020 20:54

There are nutters everywhere.

lyingwanker · 26/02/2020 20:56

A group of children and teachers in my kids school have been sent home due to the Coronavirus and told to self isolate for 14 days. Ours isn't the only school so I suppose the threat definitely feels more real now.

VivaLeBeaver · 26/02/2020 20:56

Fist fights in Italian supermarkets today. People are desperate.

ClientQueen · 26/02/2020 20:57

I guess it depends what you usually have in
A few years ago I had norovirus and on day 3 came down with flu. Pouring with sweat, really high temp etc
I had no paracetamol and nobody to get me any. Now I make sure I always have it in. There's enough food for 3-4 weeks too because I don't want to be in that situation again where I am so unwell and nobody can help

Fruityb · 26/02/2020 20:58

My childminder speaks like it’s going to be like Planet of the Apes and we’re all in quarantine under martial law!

It’s not Ebola.

gamerchick · 26/02/2020 20:59

You do know we're real people right? Hmm

First rule of prepping. DON'T TELL ANYONE. 1+1

Notlong20 · 26/02/2020 21:01

So do people not tell their friends and family then? Encourage them to do the same as they are so sure it’s the sensible thing to be doing. The first rule of prepping seems extremely selfish!

OP posts:
BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 26/02/2020 21:02

I can kind of understand sticking a few tins of tomatoes in the cupboard when there's a bit of an actual scare going on, but the cranks who do it all the time really need to get jobs or read a big book or subscribe to Netflix or something because those threads are properly bonkers.

Doggybiccys · 26/02/2020 21:02

This is the first time I’ve posted on any Coronavirus threads (or covid 19 or whatever if trying to sound more intelligent . Never been worried til now but I am
Predicting minimum 20 cases in UK over the next 3 weeks. Then we will know all about it.

WalkingDeadTrainee · 26/02/2020 21:04

I had no paracetamol and nobody to get me any.

I was in the same situation and actually paid for same day delivery from Sainsbury'sBlush
I haven't learned....

gamerchick · 26/02/2020 21:05

The first rule of prepping seems extremely selfish!

Fucking hell, that made me properly laugh Grin do you need people IRL to tell you what to do? There's loads of prepping threads on here with detailed lists no less. Be the first in your world to tell other people. Don't be selfish.

I'd find a good hiding place though, people in need will have no problem taking what you have.

Goawayquickly · 26/02/2020 21:07

I think lots of people are getting a bit extra in just in case, they wouldn't call it prepping just being a bit organised and I think it's wise to have medicines and a decent stock of food in through the winter months particularly, if budget and space allow.

ClientQueen · 26/02/2020 21:07

@WalkingDeadTrainee I tried everything even the chemist 200m away, taxi driver, everything. But I couldn't get out of bed to open the door. Lost 18lbs Blush

jumpinjeepers · 26/02/2020 21:07

YABU - in Brighton people are talking about it! Schools have been affected, and we’ve made sure we have decent basics in. Not sure I would call it prepping. I know many people who’ve done the same. Fully expected our local school to send the kids home soon too since half the kids have been off abroad half term .

DDIJ · 26/02/2020 21:09

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

fairgame84 · 26/02/2020 21:09

Not full on prepping as such but a few colleagues are getting enough in to cover 2 weeks of quarantine. We're all doctors and nurses and this is the first time most of us have ever 'prepped'.
Just extra paracetamol and ibuprofen and food.

Rosehip10 · 26/02/2020 21:10

Preppers are deluded who probably believe any tin foil hat shit that is posted online. Often undertaking this "activity" to cover other issues or unhappiness in their lives.

Notlong20 · 26/02/2020 21:10

@gamerchick you need to calm down. Your last sentence makes you sound bonkers.

OP posts:
Redwinestillfine · 26/02/2020 21:12

I think people only own up to it on Mumsnet!

ClubfootMaestro · 26/02/2020 21:12

I’m getting enough non perishable food for a 2 week quarantine or to tide us over if there’s panic buying and we can’t buy things in the shops. Not sure if that counts as prepping, but I think quite a few people are.

GeorgieSparks · 26/02/2020 21:14

YANBU op, I don’t know one person in real life who thinks like this either.

Cherrysoup · 26/02/2020 21:15

Well, a school near me has just closed and at work, a student is self isolating. Meanwhile, a neighbouring school went to Italy for their ski trip and some kids are displaying flu like symptoms. Make of that what you will, but the shelves in Tesco are not empty!

OrangeSamphire · 26/02/2020 21:15

A lot of regular preppers do it because either they, or someone in their household, is vulnerable in some way. Health issues, disability etc.

Others because they live in isolated rural places where you often have to expect things like lengthy power cuts or severe weather.

Most aren’t ‘nutters’ or whatever other insult you want to fling around.

Personally, I keep a well stocked larder and enough supplies to see us through power cuts. For all of the above reasons.