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Original poster

Sensible, non-panicking Swine flu measures?

271 replies

bella29 · 30/04/2009 12:13

Just wondered.....

they (a doctor) said on my local BBC radio station this morning that it would be wise to set by a stock of paracetamol, calpol etc. just in case.

Anything else you are doing?

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 30/04/2009 12:15

Nope!

TBCoalman · 30/04/2009 12:17

If we all end up in bed with flu, I won't be happy if we run out of loo roll, washing up liquid or sanitary towels/tampons.

I might buy some disposable nappies as I doubt I'd feel up to washing any.

Maybe store an online food order, ready to place if I can't face shopping.

theDreadPirateDavina · 30/04/2009 12:17

I think a daily gargle with gin or scotch is in order, and obviously get some lemons and ginger in for toddies.

stitchtime · 30/04/2009 12:19

well, i thought a grocery shop of store cupboard food, paracetamol, calpol and loo roll etc. but everyone around me thinks iam being silly

Pheebe · 30/04/2009 12:21

There's very little else you can do really.

The only difference (at the moment) is going to be the number of people who might get it (could be up to 1 in 3ish as opposed to

MamaHobgoblin · 30/04/2009 12:22

I noticed that the official NHS Swineflu site says that 'just to be prepared' we should consider stocking up on non-perishables, disinfectant and two week's worth of essentials in case we get ill and are housebound. What, are they just going to stick a red cross on the door and hope your bottled water lasts?

Washing hands properly and after blowing nose or touching your face has got to be the best way. If everyone did this all the time, we'd hardly ever get bugs. (No, I don't do it all the time...)

I bought some Milton hand gel bottles (not panicking, honest, I usually have a bottle in the change bag) in Sainsboro today, which is the extent of my panic-buying.

TBCoalman, that's what Mooncups are for! They never run out!

AMumInScotland · 30/04/2009 12:23

I always try to have enough food in to last us a few days - it's really for winter snow, as we can get a lot of that, but it would cover any other reason for being stuck in the house for a few days. Ditto plenty of loo roll, over-the-counter medicines etc. I don't plan to do anything else on the off-chance of catching flu - it doesn't seem any more likely than coming down with any other bug tbh.

Overmydeadbody · 30/04/2009 12:24

seriously?!?!

nothing.

Overmydeadbody · 30/04/2009 12:26

loo roll's not essential for survival though is it?

flymetothemoon · 30/04/2009 12:26

But why would you need bottled water - the taps will still be working??!

TBCoalman · 30/04/2009 12:26

Mooncups . Don't think I'd want to attempt that with flu (am imagining you would need to be fairly flexible)

Pheebe · 30/04/2009 12:27

Stichintime - I don't think you're being silly at all. I'm planning to double up on store cupboard foods over the next couple of weeks as well. It'll all get used after all so no big deal.

AMumInScotland · 30/04/2009 12:28

I wouldn't want to spend 2 weeks cooped up without a supply of looroll But no, it's not exactly "survival" level, just "being as comfortable as possible while you're poorly"

TBCoalman · 30/04/2009 12:28

OMDB, I'm not so much worried about surviving as being comfortable whilst I am ill. Although I have already had flu this year (second time ever). Perhaps it was swine flu and I am now immune

MamaHobgoblin · 30/04/2009 12:29

Sorry, was confusing the NHS advice with the far more panicmongering US advice for pandemics, which say bottled water for 2 weeks! I mean, what do they think is going to happen? Maybe they're worried that all the water workers will call in sick!

Overmydeadbody · 30/04/2009 12:33

ah I see Now I understand, so incase you get ill. I better go shopping...

Springfleurs · 30/04/2009 12:33

Stitchintime - I have ordered a load of extra tins, packets of rice and noodles etc and water with my on line shop. Stocked up on flu remedies, calpol, baby nurofen and paracetamol. There is no harm in being prepared I say.

Someone I know went to a private doctor and got a prescription for Tamiflu. So I don't think I am being too ott.

WoTmania · 30/04/2009 12:34

TB - no mre so than with tampons surely?
Do you know some people knit their own?

Overmydeadbody · 30/04/2009 12:34

I survived the Gulf War, I know how to stockpile essentials

Buda · 30/04/2009 12:36

I knew I should have bought more wine when I went shopping!

AMumInScotland · 30/04/2009 12:36

Oh I think "planning in case you get ill" measures are sensible. But "planning for the end of civilisation as we know it" would not be sensible . The reality is that, even if some people get flu, the normal infrastructure is not going to collapse around us. So, you can assume that there will still be running water, electricity, etc. But it's possible that supermarkets will refuse to deliver to infected households as a precaution, so you can't assume you'll be able to get deliveries that way.

TBCoalman · 30/04/2009 12:37

Might strike the tampons then. Just towels.

Might buy some longlife orange juice. That's nice when you are ill.

seeker · 30/04/2009 12:40

Stop reading the newspapers. Buy wine.

MamaHobgoblin · 30/04/2009 12:42

Would there be any risk to supermarket delivery-people? (have never actually done an online supermarket shop) They don't actually have to come into contact with you, do they? Can't they just dump the boxes and run?

LadyOfWaffle · 30/04/2009 12:43

Maybe the 2 weeks of bottled water is for people who normally have it? I am going to stock up [scared]

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