Preppers Paradise: Pickled Turnips and Sovereignty Spam

[RedToothBrush]

Despite all the accusations of hysteria for those saying they intend to prep, today Theresa May said households were going to be given guidelines in August and September on how to prepare in the event of No Deal.

Robert Peston@Peston
@theresa_may says 70 "technical notices" for businesses and households will be published in Aug and Sept setting out how we can all prepare for a no-deal Brexit (should that be what happens). Yikes

Arla are already warning that milk product may be scare and baby formula will be 'an occasional luxury' even if we do get a deal
Dairy products 'may become luxuries' after UK leaves EU

Whilst we wait for the government to advise us on what action we all need to consider taking, this is a thread dedicated for those people who wish to share tips, advice and what they plan to do rather than clogging up other threads.

A few points re timing.

1. Right now I'm just going to focus on long dated stuff, and look into perserves etc with spare veg I have. I'm going to draw up a bit of a plan of what to get when.

2. Re camping stuff. I honestly don't think there is going to be a run on stuff in the next few weeks so hang fire until the end of summer. It'll all be expensive now as its peak season. Worth keeping an eye out for deals but the notices are only starting in August with ones for the general public seeingly going out later.

3. I don't think too many people are going to start getting worried until those notices go out and even then I suspect a lot of people will just go meh. I don't expect people to start thinking it will get real until late November / December. Then it will start to feel very real. My gut is, that this situation will almost certainly arise if the government are playing brinkmanship games (and they are) even if we do get a deal. I think is to avoid panicking and just make sure you are slowly progressing a plan. You are less likely to feel anxious if you have things ticking along slowly.

4. Christmas is an excuse. Gifts which might be useful in the event of no deal are a good idea. You suddenly want a solar charger don't you? And your son wants a wind up torch, right?

5. I'm expecting Jan / early Feb for things to slowly crank up. By late Feb, I think more people will start to get nervous. Even if they don't admit it. By that time, the message will have had 6 months to slowly filter through. If we are still at no deal at this point, then yes anxiety is going to spread. I'm going to think about what is likely to go first in panic buying.

6. Late Feb and March - the last six weeks could get interesting. If there is going to be a problem its not just going to be after we've left, its going to be in the run up too. I would not be surprised if we run to the wire, either way tbh.

7. I'm not going to worry about water, for some time yet. I might get water purification tablets as you can get 100 for £2.50 on Amazon and DH is an avid camper anyway and may actually make use of them. But otherwise I'll just get some empty plastic bottles together at a later date. We always have 4litres of water in the house in case of emergency anyway after last year being left without any for two days. Its something that can really be sorted close to the date, so I'll do a risk assessment then based on what the government are prattling on about. Its definitely not never the top of my priorities.

I think we are likely to hear stuff about medicines and health insurance abroad before we hear much about anything else. I think if they are persuing a hard ball strategy they will actively try and stir up the public to panic too. That doesn't mean there won't be a deal, it just means they willing to go to insane levels to suggest they will go for no deal to try and force the EU's hand.

I think your key points are early autumn, late november, late feb in terms of what the government are doing. But we'll see how it pans out.

Sensible stuff, op.

If anyone expects 70s style power rationing, and also relies on their phones and computers to tell the time at home, you might want to get clocks. (Personally I would go for those that don't need the ongoing expense of batteries.) They can also help reduce making excuses to oneself for looking at a phone and getting sucked into apps etc.

There seem to be more solar powered clocks around than the last time I looked a couple of years ago, which is good.

I have an old school wind up watch. It's great. As long as I remember to wind it

Thanks Mrsr8

For now I will quietly prepare as best I can and show DH the fruits of my labours once the leaflets drop...

Have bought a camping stove today. Take the point about the gas canisters not lasting long but it was only £10 on sale and at least it’s something. Not sure I’d get a gas barbecue past DH just yet!

Have added extra cans of tuna, lentils, beans and sweetcorn to the shop this week. All stuff we use regularly anyway and all can be eaten cold if necessary. I’ve also bought some tinned fruit.

Ordered a wind up radio with built in light.

Very worried about DH’s Parkinson’s medication. They seem pretty strict on only filling the prescription as more is due...

@Mrsr8 vitamins are a good idea too. Ideally we all have a lovely balanced diet but if that doesn't happen vitamins are good.

Yes I’m planning to buy plenty if my supplements ahead of time.
They are expensive though so I’ll wait a bit to be sure thatbthey will still be the ones I need. 9 months ahead might be a bit too early for that.

PostNotInHaste that's a good idea re university. I'll do the same.

Hermione I take a lot of supplements too and just placed an order with Bodykind who are offering £4 off orders over £40. They have also sent me an email with a link offering 15% off to new customers, and I can share as many links as I want, so if anyone is interested, just let me know. Their prices are usually very competitive, with multi-purchase discounts and a reward points system, so that's where I usually shop. I do get some other supplements at Boots when they have a 3 for 2 offer, which seems to be all the time atm.

The most important thing for me is to have plenty of iron tablets, because I typically have a low iron count and soon start feeling under the weather if I run out. I have two bottles in stock atm and have just ordered two more. Also have some liquid iron to use up although I've been avoiding it because it doesn't taste nice.

Mrsr8 I would recommend Higher Nature True Food Easy Iron which is processed to make it easier to digest. Spatone (sachets of iron-rich water) is good too although rather bulky to store.

My advice wouod be vitC as a priority because the body needs that A LOT in time of high stress.
And I’m going to assum that, if we need all the stockpiled food etc..., it will be a time of high stress.

Thanks Rosina.
My nutritionist is quite ‘strict’ about which supplements and from which brand so won’t work for me.
But others might be interested.

Just started making a list of foodstuffs to stockpile. So tuna, sweet corn, rice, tomatoes etc.

Struck me how similar that list is to the food bank shop I did last week.

And it hit home to me how brutal any food shortages and customs delays and price rises are going to be on the people who are already relying on food banks. How much the food banks will struggle to keep supplies going.

This is unconscionable.

Thisishistory you took the words out of my mouth.DH and I were just talking about the exact same thing. So many are struggling to put food on the table from day to day. How could they possibly stockpile?

How can this unfolding situation be possible? How can the government, who are supposed to be acting in the best interests of the country and its citizens persist in taking this path when eve they can foresee the outcome? Sure this is a criminal, perhaps even a treasonable act?

I know I won't be donating much to food banks during the next few months because stockpiling is already putting extra strain on my budget. There must be many other people in the same position, so donations are likely to fall off exactly when they are most needed.

I am worried about animal shelters too.

I’m prepping away quietly for this after being scared witless at a work meeting.

I have a lot of kids at home, so I’m making sure to get food in that seems like a treat, so they aren’t too impacted. To our stocks I have added jelly, cake mixes, angel delight, freeze pops, tinned rice pudding, meringue nests, tinned puddings.
These aren’t all ideal for every situation but one or another will cover a few bases. They aren’t every day foods for us but they will keep them quiet and that’s half the battle.

I’d also advise everyone to get their flu vaccine this winter, this is not a situation where you want to be in hospital or recovering.
Your GP should tell you if you are eligible, or you can pay for one at most surgeries or larger pharmacies.

UglyCathKidstonBag How much are you able to say about what is being anticipated? Are you in health services?

Drug shortages? Public order issues? Do they expect stuff to be ironed out in a few months or potentially longer term? (Trade deals can take a long time to bash out, as an economics acquaintance has been saying ever since the referendum result.)

pennycarbonara

I wish I could say more but it is seems very much to be a “we genuinely don’t know what is happening” situation - as with much of Brexit! I’m sure people in higher up and non-clinical roles know more than me but I’m also sure they couldn’t disclose too much. Every question asked in the meetings I’ve been in or heard about have been met with “we don’t know” or “anything could happen”.

I do know NHS England is working on a plan and pharmacists are looking to stockpile where possible but frankly who is going to stump up the cash for them to do that?
I work in a department where x drug is used daily and is restocked daily. When it can’t be restocked is where we reach some really troubling times.

Am meeting a friend later who is lead nurse in a diabetes unit, she has a child with T1 as well as he4 many patients. Am very interested to hear what she thinks about it.

We’re away for weekend and a bit of time to reflect. I think actually I’m slightly in shock that it is 2018 and we’re having to think about DH’s insulin supply. Combine this with the fact my Dad was told that the cataract op list was closed (he kicked off and has now had op) and DS can’t do German or Computer Science for GCSE at school as not running and it’s like we’re gone in a time machine back a few decades.

How can we be in the situation where the Government is going to be advice to households to help us cope, where our healthcare and education is fucked and we’re having the conversations on here that we’re having. This is utter, complete fucking insanity, based on a vote with a marginal majority and what has to be one of the most incompetent Governments in the History of the country. It is absolute insanity, I’m having a moment where I just can’t comprehend that we’re at where we at - if someone said this 3 years ago i’d Have to,d them they were being hysterical.

@UglyCathKidstonBag - having a bit of junk food to lift people 's spirits and keep them occupied is a good idea. Particularly kids. Prepper thinking!