Practical things we can do today - ideas?

[TheHeathenOfSuburbia]

Can we share ideas of actions we can take right now?

Allowing for the possibility of elderly folks being isolated, and maybe kids being sent home from school.

This is my to-do list for today, which is totally random, but hey.

• Pass on phone number to elderly neighbours in case of emergency
• Write out inventory of food in freezer and cupboards
• Find recipes using tinned and long-life foods
• Talk to kids about possibility of schools closing
• Gently encourage my elderly parents to sign up for online shopping

Anyone got any other ideas? I'm sure there are things I should be doing rather than repeatedly refreshing the bbc website.

Do you have pets? Add a bit extra for them to your list, in case you need to isolate.

We don't have pets so one less thing to worry about!

Oh yes - have a dig around and find all the puzzle books, colouring books and games that the kids started and then abandoned. I was thinking of ordering more but I don't think I need to yet!

Start a journal because hopefully this is the weirdest shit we'll live through!

Was about to suggest print off resources if you have kids, twinkl are offering a month free, lots of play sites on Facebook have blogged ideas and games

'Tin Can Cook' by Jack Monroe might come in handy for recipe inspiration?

There are loads of free learning from home activities online, for example 'Twinkl' is offering free access to its site for a month so maybe investigate what free resources you can get.

Ive started using up all the low value things in my freezer to make space for high value stuff. So lollies and party snack type food is bring used to make way for meat and vegetables.

Order any books that might be helpful for your children from the library (online). We went in last week and there were very few revision guides etc left.

Might be a silly one but I've ordered lots of kitchen garden plug plants and outside veg ones. Maws going to get on with veg plant anyway but be nice to have some flavour if stuck longer term.

Im not sure there will be many online shopping slots left and so I'd actually be taking food to elderly parents/advising them to stock up. Depending on how elderly they are they should get a fair amount in if they can

I'm doing inventory of food this afternoon once DH is here to take notes.
I want to make sure I have enough of useful stuff and not 3 dozen cans of nothing but beans.

I plan to buy some curtain material and put it away to be made up if /when we invariably have to self isolate. Might even get some paint to do spare room.

Bit random but when my mother was a child she wasn't allowed to borrow books from her parents (who were born at the end of in the 19th century) as they might harbour tuberculosis germs...)

Making play doh from scratch with the kids

Learning tiktok dance routines- I know but I have been so strict on this and my kids will love it.

Baking supplies

We are in the middle of a garden renovation

Making soup today for the freezer. Quick and easy and will be useful if we are struck down.

I've:

Gone through all my mini stashes of medicines in the house (and in old suitcases etc) to work out what exactly I have
Counted my loo rolls and tissue boxes
Put tissues out around the house
Collated my disinfectants (Dettol sprays, Dettol wipes, bleach) and worked out what I have
Collated all soaps and hand sanitisers
Made some 65% alcohol solution for disinfecting hands whilst out and about (but is VERY liquid so practicality of this is low)
Gone through freezers and made a list
Ordered fruit trees and veg seeds (will occupy kids as well as providing sustenance later)
Planned meals for next few weeks

HasaDigaEebowai unfortunately my parents are too far away to do that but that would definitely be a better option where possible!

Those of you planting seeds - what are you planting? I'm a rubbish gardener but I do have a patch I could grow veg in. If I dig out the weeds first...

BruceAndNosh I did buy some fabric yesterday as it happens cause priorities and all

I'm going to be a bit preachy but it's still worth saying - especially if you're lucky enough to be in a position to help others.

If you're sorting out books and toys find a local charity or ask your school about families who could use them.

Donate to a food bank. People donate less once they switch to online shopping

Write to your MP, shits about to hit the fan but in a few months many parts of society are really really really going to be struggling. What's your MP doing about that?

Ive sorted out the freezers and made room for a few additions.
Managed to get up to date with the washing and cleaning (more becuase Im expecting work to hideous next week - I work for the NHS.)
Tidied up back garden a bit

Good point about the food bank, DarkMutterings, I meant to donate last time I was in the supermarket but I usually do pasta and UHT milk and of course there weren't any of those and then I stupidly forgot about it completely.

Ocado has an option on checkout to donate money to a food bank which is probably a good idea at the minute with all the varying availability, presumably others have similar?

Also make sure you have a little bottle of liquid soap in your bag when you go out.
I was at the National Gallery week before last (before everyone went mad) and there was no soap in any of the 6 soap dispensers in ladies loo

Someone's just set up a Facebook group for our town, for people willing to help out

Join the next door app and/or your local Facebook coronavirus mutual aid group. Vulnerable people can ask for help.

Donate to your foodbank.

Check you have at least a month of any prescription medicine and if not order some now.

Write out some kind of routine/goals for if you are isolated.

Contact your neighbours to see if anybody will need help.

I bought seeds for peas, courgettes and spinach today. I guess even if I do just end up feeding the local slug population, planting them up will keep the DC occupied...

I bought a 5kg bag of potatoes so I'm looking up recipes so we don't get bored!