What should we be doing RIGHT NOW before things get worse?

[Lycidas]

So it was clear that last weekend was the last proper chance for socialisation before government recommendations came into effect.

If we're loosely following the path of Italy - e.g. permits will be needed for only the most essential grocery outings - what should we do right now before we can't in a week or so?

• Buy/stock up any 'home improvements' items that can be done over the coming week. Paint, etc
• Return and stock up on library books
• Drop off items to places like charity shops
• Buying necessary clothes for the coming months

Anything else?

Oh I hadn't even thought of clothes! DD is nearly 9 months and her 6-9 months clothes won't last much longer.

no ....encouraging panic buying even of paint is ridiculous....retail workers are just sitting ducks with an endless stream of people in store they cannot escape from!

It’s not ‘panic buying’ of paint, just common sense. Order online if need be. If you have a job that needs doing, you may as well prepare for it now rather than sitting cooped indoors.

It’s the panic buying of food that’s pointless since people will still be allowed to go out for that. For homeware/clothes, not so much.

My elderly mum has redone her will a made a file with all her bills and financial information.
I'm planning some decorating incase I have to stop.However I'm a healthcare worker so will probably be doing extra shifts as we already have staff off.

I saw some good advice which is to stock up on personal items that you might not feel so comfortable with other people buying for you. I discussed with my DD and we got her a stash of tampons and pads. Our lovely neighbours have offered to do any shopping for us if we are isolated but she said she didn’t really want to discuss brands of applicator vs non applicator tampons with them or levels of flow protection. But v happy to accept help re bread and milk! I think it is good advice if you are able to do it as it keeps you a bit more in control, and I am telling my aged mother the same.

None of those things really. They are not essential travel. Well ...maybe the clothing...but even then not really, as it's coming into spring now so you won't freeze.

*Food shopping.
*Prescription medication.
*Making sure you have enough money in an accessible account to last as long as pos.

We are supposed to be limiting outside contact though....................

I agree we’re supposed to be limiting essential contact, but it’s very possible to do these things in
quiet hours, eg early morning on a weekday.

Very soon we won’t be supposed to stay indoors, but mandated to.

People should be behaving as if they already have the virus and limiting contacts.

Quarantine/lockdown isn't to prevent you getting the virus but to prevent you spreading it.

The quicker people start effective social distancing the shorter the crisis will be.

Hair cuts and nails and brows!

I'm in Ireland where it's too late for these essentials!

I've just made an appointment to get another 6 months worth of my contraceptive pill. It occurred to me that I have 3 weeks worth left. I don't want to contribute to the predicted baby boom when we lockdown!

I've also left my number with an elderly neighbour in case she needs supplies.

Hair cut? are you insane?

@Mistigri

Isn’t it actually the complete opposite of what you’re saying?

Let’s say there no social distancing. The crisis peaks rapidly over the coming months, hundreds of thousands die, everyone gets it. But it’s over the summer.

But with social distancing, it’s a long game strategy. We’re waiting for a vaccine, which is another year at least. There may some brief respite over the summer, but as soon as loosen controls too much, it’ll come back.

So people should anticipate a long state of crisis and plan now.

Paper and ink for your printer. I can only get mine on Amazon anyway and DH has to work from home.

Petrol if you need it for your lawn mower

I am just about to look for veg seeds. We have potting soil from last year, so just need to start planting some early veg

For my household and that of my elderly parents:
Get prescription delivery service sorted.
Get online doctors consultation service sorted.
Get elderly parents registered online with supermarket, milkman etc
Get skype set up for parents
Order wine delivery :)
Thoroughly disinfect the house so we're at least starting from a germ free starting point (as far as we can be).
I think that's about it really.

- Return and stock up on library books

Our library is open 9-12 on Tuesday.

Look like I missed that chance ....

Gotta look good whilst in quarantine

Paper and ink for your printer

Agreed. I keep on getting worksheets sent by my kids' school so we are using a lot of paper.

I have

Filled my freezer
Done a big shop (not a huge, 20 of everything shop though)
Got all repeat prescriptions done and collected
Spoken to elderly parents and got a plan in place to help them
Stocked up on extra toiletries - normally I have one of everything in the cupboard for when we run out - it’s up to 2 or 3 now.
Haircuts
Library books back (although ours is now waiving all overdue fees

Now I will just keep shopping as normal once a week but trying to keep everything at ‘full’ so that if we do go into lockdown we should be good for the two weeks.

I have bought food for 3 days instead of my usual 1-2, and I intend to do the same maybe today or tomorrow, so I have 7 days in (as an aim). This is very different to what I normally do!

Anyone who's giving birth in the next 3 months should ensure they're stocked up on everything they need, now.

• baby clothes to do a few months
• somewhere for baby to sleep
• nappies, formula if you're ff (even just 1 tub)
• any practical items like bottles etc (this obviously depends on your feeding choice)
• have a bottle of calpol in the house, as well as teething gel and perhaps an anti colic relief just incase
• some toys for baby/baby books so you have a few things to have to bond and play with baby

Also aim to get your hospital bag ready and stocked. So PJs, pads, nipple pads, underwear, clothes etc.

I don't propose going out buying tonnes of nappies and formula, but be sensible. The last thing any of us need is more stress in this climate. Get prepared now just incase of any complications, early labour, etc.

Again, do not over buy or panic buy. But get organised.

Im one week into SI.
Wish I had
Some new toys for kids.
Craft supplies
More coffee
Coffee machine anti calk stuf
Food coloring - baking with kids
Batteries for remote control
Ingredients for slime

Get some if you still can

I bought polymer clay off amazon - just remembered some comes in kits with step by step instructions. Great if you need kids of certain age engaged in an activity that isn’t an iPad.