To be really scared by this messaging from the government?

[sookiestjames77]

As someone who really struggled during the pandemic this has really scared me. I have done a big order of hygiene basics to arrive tomorrow (12 x packs of wet wipes etc) and will be heading out for a stock up shop tomorrow to fill up on tins etc.

I’m considering ordering 12 of those water refills for water coolers and a pump that fits in the top, but I don’t know if that’s overkill. I alone drink 4-5 litres of water a day, plus cooking water!

I am really scared. How is everyone else dealing with this?

I am late 50's, and I remember us getting these messages from the Government many times, and they have all come to nothing. In the 70's/80's the adverts on the TV were terrifying. Then we had the Bird Flu warnings. I think it'll all come to nothing, but we have extra tins and water in the garage. Things that we would eat anyway.

No, it’s not.

The amount I drink is none of your concern.

I’m thinking a combo.
Im thinking lives alone, maybe WFH and way too much time to think and worry

I'm not concerned. And yes, you've fallen for a myth.

It’s cheaper to buy a big pack but surely in a scenario where we don’t have water you’re not planning to just sit at home without cleaning yourself at all?🫠

Wrong on all counts

Go get another booster to calm you down hun

You can wipe the blood off your face...

You cant have been paying attention. They have said what. It could be a storm which knocks out power, Internet, phones. It could be a cyber attack that knocks out our ability to shop with cards. Yes it could be a hostile action by another nation but that is the most unlikely.
All tbey are saying is to have some water and enough food to last a few days. Make sure you have some candles and if you like a battery operated radio.
Example, most if Scotland is under an amber weather waring for tonight and tomorrow. Very real chance the power will go out in lots of places so have enough in to get through a few days.

As someone who was on the prepping boards pre covid, im not too worried. I have 4 bottles of diet coke and 24l ( 2 x 2l pack of 6 38p lidl water). As someone rural who has lost water and power for over a week, its just to stop people joining a 3 hour queue for water at the local car park on day 1. We rocked up at night on day 2 and didn't wait at all. With buffer you dont need to first out the door in a panic. You can do that on day three after the hoards have gone out. That's all.

Getting our recomended daily fluid intake went out the window.

They are doing what they're supposed to by advising everyone to have a few days supplies in case of emergency. Just like every other European countries govt does.
After that the onus is on you (assuming you're a capable adult).
The government is not your parent and you need to take responsibility for yourself and your family.

Genuinely what is your solution?
The government should buy a crystal ball?
Or should they provide every singke thing each citizen could possibly need in every eventuality just in case?

It’s not the governments job to hold your hand through life. In an emergency, the government provide the bare basics and frankly, have a damn sight more to worry about than if little Johnny has a sleeping bag. The government are now asking the country to become a little more able to standing on our own two feet. It’s long overdue messaging, our national resilience is crap and desperately needs improved

Now you’re just being obtuse, the government cannot afford to start handing out sleeping bags and candles. We can all take some responsibility to ensure we’ve taken sensible precautions so that we can heat and feed ourselves for a few days.

Ffs it’s not disaster or war it’s just that they’re expecting yet another astronomical increase in fuel prices which will impact the transportation of food to supermarkets! 🤣 So they’re telling people to stock up now on longer life food, so you don’t end up short on basics! 🙄 I’ve seen people ordering walkie talkies, hard hats and military issue MRE’s! (30 year rations). I honestly think it’s become a bit of a bloody trend at this point tbh or a social competition…

As in all these types of situations you get a healthy mix of human responses: the people who overreact, those who underreact and the bunch in the middle who get it just right.

I barely watch or read the news but if, like a pp said, the government have recommended 3 days worth of basic supplies then I'd say it's fairly obvious that they're not telling you to prepare for war ffs!

Right so you don’t live alone. Finally. And the person (s) you live with - have you discussed this with them? Their thoughts on your proposes purchases and plans?

Ah this explains the bloke in Sainsbury's earlier today who had 2 big trollies filled with bottled water.

If you get nuked then a bit of BO is the least of your worries.

I'm buying gin. If I add a sprig of rosemary it can double as a tincture.

They agree with me that we should be very worried.

Well if the SS. Richard Montgomery was targeted (WW2 sunken ship in Thames Estuary packed with explosives), which I guess is possible, then that would be a major flooding/tsumani catastrophe in Kent and Essex. I live nearby so it has crossed my mind before now.

What are the government doing? Are they pressuring energy companies to use their profits to ensure continuity of supply and to be prepared to mobilise at short notice to restore supply? Or are they just paying out to their shareholders while we spend our last pennies in a soft of living crisis to sit at home in the dark?!

In an emergency you don't need 4 litres a day to drink. You'd need to use two (or less) to drink and the other two for other things like washing/toilet flush. One toilet flush takes something like 6 litres?

Thinks like tinned soup or baked beans, spaghetti hoops etc are very liquidy. So that counts towards the amount you need of water.

Yes, I am a bit worried. I think the message has been out for a while, though. I agree that if we get nuked, three days’ worth of supplies doesn’t make much sense! :) I do wish the government would be clearer about why we’re being advised to prepare. Let’s say it’s for extreme weather.
DH was very sceptical, but I did buy 30 litres of water and a few tins of food. The problem is, it makes sense to stock up on things you’d normally eat, but we don’t usually eat tinned food or anything that doesn’t need cooking. So we’d need to get a portable gas stove, which I haven’t done yet. Otherwise, we always have enough food in the house to last us three days, but it all needs cooking! I mean things like rice, pasta, flour, milk powder and that sort of thing. Tinned protein (fish/meat) is expensive, plus I’m not sure which ones are actually any good. Probably need to stock up on chocolate and nuts, too. Torches, a radio… why? OK, torches, maybe, but a radio? We live in a fairly large town, not in the middle of nowhere. We’re not by the sea or in an area prone to flooding. If we’re preparing for extreme weather, I don’t really see why we need a portable FM radio. This feels more like war prepping, IMO