Prepping for pandemic...

[wheresmymojo]

I was quite blasé about the novel corona virus outbreak but things I've read today have changed my mind.

I'm not usually a prepper but best things to stock up on for a pandemic?

Surgical face masks?
Latex gloves?
Anti bac wipes and hand wash?

FWIW DH (a dr) is genuinely worried about this and took a whole load of masks with him when he travelled to another country for a conference today.

We have 6 people in the house inc hungry teenagers so I’m not sure how I could possibly stockpile food. It would only last a day or two.

Having read as much as I can I think it's worth prepping but it won't be until there are confirmed local epidemics in a couple of other countries that I'll be very genuinely concerned.

I hope more airlines follow BA as that would help immensely with keeping it contained.

As you've said yourself it's a virus. Anti bacterial wipes and gels are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Thankfully Govt have u-turned and will now place all returnees in quarantine for 2 weeks.

I have the Milton hand gel, it DOES kill viruses, don't all rush out and buy it all up before I can stock up on more! Also have hand foam from Boots, that also kills viruses on the hands, I rub some on my nose when going out in public

I have ordered face masks off Amazon, which are now sold out by the way, the blue surgical ones, they are not brilliant but stop most spit and saliva reaching the face.

I am stocking up on painkillers, water, food etc.

It has been stressing me out so I am trying not to watch the news now.

I think they’re getting their advice from Mumsnet

I just saw that about quarantine for returnees. Thank goodness!

Just checked Boots online, the Milton gel is sold out, the viral hand foam is sold out and Hibiscrub cleanser is sold out, damn

(MissPoldark you made me smile.
Dominic Cummings did say he was looking for weirdoes to help out the government!

I am talking about myself there no slight on other sensible posters!)

Milton does actually say on the front

Virucidal : in 15 secs EN14476 + A1 on enveloped virus.

I ordered some virashield hand foam off eBay at a reasonable price

The CHC are talking bollocks about the epidemic peaking in 10 days time. That clearly would not be true other than in areas where households are confined to their own properties.

I'm new here I had been prepping for Brexit in a low key way and have just thought it may be a good idea to have enough food etc if you can't get out. @birdiefriend (or anyone else) how are you prepared for no electric water etc? Would be interested to know. I'm usually prepared for power cuts as had one few years ago that lasted couple of days but that's it.

I'll be prepping for sure, I already have a months supply of food which I always have anyway.
Masks, antibacterial handwash and gloves and bleach spray.
They've shutdown the whole city and people continue to be irresponsible as to where they go after being there.
I work in the NHS - not as front line staff though. I'll see it coming. I'm concerned at the rapid spread.

I should add I don't think it will come to that with this virus but I may be wrong! I'm more reassured now that the returnees from China are going to be quarantined. It seemed totally crazy to let people self quarantine. Lots of people just ignore medical advice. My partner is a paramedic and the amount of people he sees who just stopped taking their medication for serious illness or ignored other advice from their doctor.

@madcatladyforever are you talking about masks that cover eyes other wise aren't they pretty useless? As you work for NHS though I'm presuming you've seen the ones frontline staff are issued with

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, apologies if so, but it may be worth checking any essential prescription meds you take are well stocked up. A while ago my GP gave me an extra prescription so I have an extra month of AEDs in (obviously essential and I suspect it was due to Brexit/shortage of other AEDs).

I also some think people who think there is no need to be prepared, have the luxury of not having any underlying health conditions (I have other conditions as well as epilepsy)

screwfix have masks in stock

@IlikebigMutts We have a few litres of bottled water stored but also have water butts to collect rain water which can be boiled to make safe and I also have water purification tablets and a few lifestraws.
We have a wood burner and plenty of wood stocked up for heat, and can also cook on the wood burner, I have a small emergency stove and fuel tablets too. And of course plenty of food stocked up like dried pasta and rice, but we also grow our own fruit and veg and potatoes and also have chickens for eggs.
@Ennith I ordered some masks off eBay a few days ago so might still be some in stock, cheap and from the uk.

How many masks are people ordering?

DH doesn’t want DC to use the tube for the moment... I can’t work out whether he is nuts or knows something I don’t. Avoiding the tube will entail a lot of driving.

I'm picking mine up at screw fix right now and have ordered 9 for us adults and will order some online for the kids. We are semi rural within commuting distance to London.

Will DIY masks protect against the virus though?

DH doesn’t want DC to use the tube for the moment... I can’t work out whether he is nuts or knows something I don’t. Avoiding the tube will entail a lot of driving

I would say, that considering there are only 4 cases of the virus in Europe and none yet in England, that's a little over cautious at this stage.