Why are people posting about stockpiling with no specifics?

[MsAmerica]

I've seen it mentioned, but without a single direct quote or link. Yet the OPs seem to want others to explain it....?

Well, I don’t think we are that well protected to be honest. Hackers always seem ahead of the game. Over the last year, many large organisations have been affected.

If foreign hackers did manage to shut down the grid, leaving us without electricity - nothing would function. No WiFi, no home power, no garages and no shops/banks/card payments, or anything online. Even many phone masts need electricity. Everything would be affected.

From the TV the other day, it seemed to be about this - keep a few days stocks, and keep some cash at home.

Well said.

Honestly I despair of some people!
'Move me! I'm burning!' as my parents always used to joke.
Do us all a favour, the reluctant and the outright opposed - grow up and grow a pair.

Trouble is, there is a very sizeable portion of the population that would be very confident and comfortable in using violence and force to take supplies off of families like yours. If the food supply chains broke down for more than a couple of weeks then things would get nasty very quickly with gangs combing through housing systematically.

Water rationing, you will have drinking water. That's all you need anyway. You are not going to wash using Evian.

There's not going to be an emergency where the shops are closed for three days. Life goes on even under the cloud of war and we witnessed that during the pandemic.

Worst case scenario you can't wash for a day.

You obviously haven't registered that Palestinian people are being murdered queuing in lines waiting for water.

I don't know about you but I like to be able to wash my hands from time to time, which requires water, and if my drinking water is rationed I don't want to risk going thirsty.

You have no idea if there might be an emergency that'll result with shops closing for several days - an attack on the grid would result in everything being shut and it might take days to fix everything, starting with priorities like hospitals.

@dwordle I don't actually even give a shiny shit what you do.
You're so convinced you're right so you crack on.
I'm making sure me and mine will be OK, and won't have any spare for you!

Eh..? There have literally been lots of links posted on the multiple threads about this topic on MN, to the government campaign and the mainstream news stories covering it.

It's not meant to be stocking up for years it's just making sure you can't be caught out if the power goes off for a couple of days, like it has in Cornwall after the storm. They keep using the word resilience. It's really just common sense to have a few things in the cupboard just in case, and a torch, I guess people use their phones as torches these days, but that wouldn't last long if you can't charge your phone. I think we could survive a few days on cold food so not bothered about a camping stove, but we may have a useable barbecue (that hasn't actually been used for years) if necessary.

If it makes anyone feel better, the government campaign was intended to be launched mid 2024 but got shelved because of the GE. So it’s not being launched now because they think there’s a specific imminent threat- it’s been in the pipeline for a long time because of the more general increase in risk.

Yeah, put bluntly I’m torn on the subject.

I think it’s hysterics. I didn’t stockpile during Covid, there was no hunter gathering of loo roll or pasta in my house, and I don’t drive around petrol stations when the fuel is allegedly running out.

I pessimistically am also quite aware that stockpiling would only help me personally so far. It’s quite likely I’ll end up taking steps to make sure I have multiple tins of beans, but other than that, we’d still be absolutely fucked - and I know that before I start buying the beans.

If the government have concerns, I would far rather I was given the specifics. I don’t have the time, patience or energy to worry about fictional issues that may or may not present themselves. Tell me when there’s an actual known, tangible problem - I’m not here to solve riddles.

I don’t think vague advice about vague issues is sensible advice. I think it’s aimless fear mongering, I’d prefer to get involved when there’s an actual known aim.

The campaign was launched in may 2024
The preppers talked about it https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/preppers/5080496-new-government-guidance-on-prepping

However repeated surveys have shown that 50%+ of the general public are difficult to reach and even more difficult to engage.

A torch and candles is something you should keep regardless. A tin of fish and beans again cupboard staple.

Storing anything more than 6 litres of water is very short-sighted. The properties of the plastic leach out into the water and it becomes toxic over time. The speed of which increases in warm environment or in sunlight.

As I mentioned before, in the event of a major event you'll be evacuated which means no pets, one bag and warm clothes

Well you know there is always a risk of storms in the winter and storms can mean power cuts, gas outages, or water mains damaged. That is the tangible obvious risk for needing a bit of food, water and source of light in the house.

Other than that there could be a serious computer hack, a terrorist attack, floods, heavy snow all of which might cause local outages, hopefully causing short lived problems.

There is always a very slight threat of war, but I don't think Russia is in any condition to launch an attack on Western Europe. Rogue nations like Iran or North Korea might do something stupid, but these are unlikely and unpredictable.

Stupid question time so go easy on me.. so we prep for a few days of food/water etc. what then happens if whatever crisis befalls, continues for maybe way longer than a few days?
obviously some people are experts and could probably live off grid for far longer than a week, but for your average Joe, what happens when your 3/4 days if beans /water etc runs out and there is still no capacity to restock? Will mass panic ensue? Looting.. sounds like a film but in reality if something catastrophic happens, how will a few days of tinned food and candles help?

Well if that happens you’re screwed. But the chances of ‘it’ happening (ie. Something that lasts longer than a few days with no power, water or food) are extremely small. It’s like saying “Well what happens if they drop a nuke on us? All our preparations will be worthless”. Of course they would, but the chances of a nuclear attack are absolutely tiny, whereas the chances of losing power for a couple of days this winter are a lot higher.

We can’t prepare for every single event, so we’re best just preparing for the most likely scenarios. And that’s not to say they’ll ever be needed, but a few extra tins in the cupboard is worth it just in case.

Storing anything more than 6 litres of water is very short-sighted. The properties of the plastic leach out into the water and it becomes toxic over time.

6 litres is less than one day’s worth of water for an average family. Believe me, if you were dying of dehydration, you wouldn’t be worrying about microplastics! I remember reading an article years ago about a man and his daughter whose car had broken down in the outback. Their lives were saved by drinking the water from the radiator in his truck. You’d drink dog’s piss if you were dying of dehydration.

You've been watching too many Hollywood movies about the end of the world.

If we loose power and food/water long term then yes ultimately I'm sure there would be people who would take things belonging to others using violence. It doesn't happen after 3/7 days though.

Instead what happens, as evidenced by war torn countries around the world, is that people make do and get through as well as they can.

I personally think the biggest threats are spiralling food costs due to shortages and power/fuel shortages. As such I have a good supply of food (buying at today's prices always makes sense anyway) and have taken steps to be as comfortable as possible if there is power disruption.

The more people that take some personal responsibility and stock up so they can last a few days/weeks, the better and safer it is for everyone.

I guess I just wonder what happens if a crisis goes on for longer tgan 2:3 days. I suppose neighbours could call on each other if necessary, if you live in a decent community of people. I know from our street whatsapp group that any number of my fab neighbours would help support each other going by how many times we have helped each other out with anything from borrowing an onion to a ladder or help shift a sofa!

Storing anything more than 6 litres of water is very short-sighted. The properties of the plastic leach out into the water and it becomes toxic over time. The speed of which increases in warm environment or in sunlight.

Water stored in plastic bottles lasts for ages. Plus if you wish you can use the water on the garden after its BBE date and refill from the tap. I am very anti microplastics and we no longer use things like cling film, dishwasher tables, washing pods, plastic chopping boards, plastic cooking utensils etc. But I'd rather have water to drink that contains microplastics than not have water.

You go short living on whatever is available (which could be very limited) or you rely on others e.g. move in with family members who might be a bit better prepared.

But it's better to take personal responsibility.

No.
Firstly the government don't know why we are to stockpile. How could they? Are they magic? They don't know if there will be a cyber attack or a storm or whatever. They are telling us to grow the fuck up and organise ourselves to feed our own families for a few days in case anything bad happens. We shouldn't need to be told this but it seems some of us do need it.
And no one is so poor that they can't do this. For £1 per week we could all have a very adequate stock by Christmas. Tins of beans cost 30p. Tesco pack of biscuits cost 45p. Bung it under the bed. Done.

And no one is so poor that they can't do this.
Some people literally cannot afford to feed themselves on a day to day basis.

And I think your assumption that people are stupid and the government knows best is quite frightening. Especially considering the incompetencey and bad decisions and self interest displayed by the the UK Government in recent years.

I think if you can afford to sort enough for a few days then it's a good idea to. It means that, if available, help can go to those who haven't been able to do so. I had relatives that lived in the Carribbean for a while and they had to ensure they had hurricane supplied each time the season approached, so I'm thinking of this as a bit like that.