Prepping for a pandemic 2

[wheresmymojo]

Second thread on prepping for a potential Coronavirus pandemic...following the latest news and information as well as prepping info.

When quoting estimates like mortality rates, replication rates, incubation periods and similar I try to stick to evidence based, scientific studies and will link to sources (unless already linked to them previously).

Generally speaking I use reputable sources of information like well regarded news outlets for other information and will provide links.

Sometimes I may post things outside of this as 'interesting' or such like. I will always caveat these as to be taken with caution.

As much as possible I am attempting not to link to fake news. It's an evolving picture so may not be 100% successful but if something is later shown to be incorrect I will post a correction.

@ShanghaiDiva your dh's company make masks right? So that's critical at the moment. Generally most factories close over New Year as planned normally.These have been kept closed due to new rulings .
Yes, the masks will be needed but I'm not sure how they can be sent, other than to the office.

@teta
They make fibre which is used in masks, wipes, tampons etc but do not make the end products.
Office staff are working from home, but factory floor is running as normal, if anything can be classified as normal now. The factory does not close for CNY or other holidays.

Now for a stupendously stupid question:

If masks are only safe for a limited amount of time, are not reusable or cleanable but are also compulsory...can you see where I am going with this?

Singapore has another 7 confirmed cases, 5 have links to existing cases but 2 of them do not.

Brings the total there to 40, a significant number of which (can't remember how many off the top of my head) have not been to China.

There is also a potential new cluster identified (in addition to the conference) at a church.

Oh bugger! I’ve a client/friend stopping in Singapore when going to New Zealand. I’ve already told her I’d rather lose the money (dog sitter and it’s a long holiday so quite a big payment for me), thank her being at risk. I’ve already had three cancellations from clients that were going to Thailand. Looks like I’d better tighten my belt. Between this and Brexit already causing people to delay booking for next year, things aren’t looking good for me, financially. ☹️ So looking forward to Storm Ciara tonight. The roof will probably blow off my house, at this rate.

I’m away to the off-licence. 🍷 🥴

An interesting article exploring what happens if NCoV becomes endemic (continues to exist on a long term basis) which seems reasonably likely...

www.pbs.org/newshour/health/experts-envision-two-scenarios-if-the-new-coronavirus-isnt-contained

What are people’s thoughts on the safest way to get food/shopping?

We have an immunocompromised person in the household. So wondering if healthy person goes to the shops, which could have all the shelves covered in germs. Or click and collect where you still go into the shop and products are still collected from the general shelves. Or delivery and make them leave it at the door, but they could have delivered into houses where people are ill, and still collected from the shelves in store.

I know Ocado would be safer as no store to shop from, but we aren’t in their delivery area.

I’m guessing those meal prep boxes would be ok as people would have a higher level of hygiene as it’s food prep.

Would this be a good time to switch to veg delivery boxes for that reason?

MyHairIsSoapy

If you can afford to and make space, I’d recommend starting to prep, in case things get serious. The Brexit board has loads of prepping advice. I’m currently batch cooking and filling the freezers, as I don’t fancy the ever increasing risk of someone with Coronavirus contaminating the fresh fruit and veg. 🤢 I take all the shop bought foods out of their oversized boxes, tear the cooking instructions off and pop them into a freezer bag. Takes up a lot less room in the freezer.

Have already prepped the cleaning supplies and a basic box of tins and food. Could eat unhappily for 4 weeks I think. Need to audit the freezer and stock up on some batch cooked meals to make the freezer better/contain some veg. Haven’t managed to make things freeze successfully yet apart from cooked meals and soups.

Just thinking about shopping this week, when the virus may or may not be out there already and people don’t know they’re spreading it etc.

There are a surprising number of nice meals you can make from tinned foods. I’ve a lovely chickpea curry recipe I can give you. If you grow some potted spinach on a windowsill, it really adds to it. A Girl Called Jack has a book out that actually has all recipes from store cupboard foods. Sorry, I’m derailing, but as I say, the Brexit Prepper board is a great resource.

Hi all, read the full thread and some of the last one, but that was a bit out of date by the time I read this.
Initially downplayed this as mortality rate seemed lower than flu and likelihood of it getting if over here seemed low. Colleagues agreed (work in general practice). However am definitely getting more concerned and feeling a need to keep on top of the information coming out, so thank you all for the thread.
DH and I were quite into prepping a few years ago so have quite a lot in, deep freezer full of bread, flour, meat and random stuff, store cupboard full of tins and pasta and bottled water. Could probably eat for a month if we had to but it wouldn't be fun, definitely need some more organisation and a proper stock take!
Unfortunately, working in healthcare, I will likely be frontline and exposed should this hit us hard here. Work haven't done any other than post the general advice on the practice website. We may also get signs on the doors next week (don't come in if symptomof Cv and been to affected areas), though another local surgery had theirs up a week ago (we laughed at the scaremongering!). We don't have any masks, so may have to ask the manager to order some before we aren't able to get any...
I mainly worry about DS2(12) who has asthma, the rest of us would probably survive it. I would hate to bring a deadly virus home from work and give it to my DCs, but I can't stay off work as my patients still need normal healthcare. Suppose if things were well managed, general practice would be shut down so as to reduce infection spread and divert resources to acute care, but then staff would likely be sent to the acute care areas so that would be worse!

So, anyway, keeping an eye and quietly expanding the prepping...

Gammel- try not to worry too much about dc with asthma. I watched one of the videos recommended upthread, Dr John something or other, sorry I can't remember his name. He went through a study on viral pneumonia recently done and asthma and other serious conditions such as diabetes do not increase likelihood of dying, which they found surprising. Main risk factors were a huge amount of viral particles(can't remember the technical term!), secondary bacterial infection and smoker or not, among other things. Also it seems to be milder in kids, from what we know so far

We don't have any masks, so may have to ask the manager to order some before we aren't able to get any...

I’m actually quite shocked that HC workers don’t already have masks. When I was in HC a few years ago, we all had to be measured and fitted for masks. Men had to be clean shaven, or sign a disclaimer if they kept their beard for religious reasons. They actually did a huge assessment on our unit, to see if it could be used as a quarantine unit. It was a brand new build and had excellent facilities (I’d say some if the best I’ve seen) but wasnt considered appropriate. We said at the time, that we thought there was a risk of something nasty on the way. Hands out tinfoil That’s worrying, considering they seem to be sticking them in weird buildings in the U.K.

I’m kicking myself that I didn’t take a box when I left. It’s an awful worry and I’m stressed enough that I might have one of my clients bring it into my business/home, (Dog sitter) but I’m bloody glad I’m no longer in HC.

Have read a fair bit on what to prepare to try and avoid catching this. Seems to be less out there on how to prepare for if you (or kids) actually do get it.
So thought I'd share some of the bits I have managed to collect from my internet scavengings:

• Paracetamol & ibuprofen (Calpol & Nurofen for kids) - more than you think you need if you actually work doses out!
• Oral rehydration powder/dissolvable tablets
• Small syringe (for drip-feeding fluids to sick kids if needed)
• Olbas oil
• Vicks vapour rub
• hot water bottle with soft cover (improves blood flow to chest and makes breathing feel easier, plus helps vapourise the vapour rub)
• vitamin C drops (for if they get sick)
• vitamin D drops and multivitamins (now to build up)

Any other ideas greatly appreciated!

@Notstrongandstable

It’s Dr John Campbell. Yes I watched the same one. It’s to do with the Mulbsta score.

Paracetamol & ibuprofen (Calpol & Nurofen for kids) - more than you
Although some experts say that you shouldn’t reduce a fever unless it gets too high, as it can prolong the illness. An increased body temperature creates a hostile environment for the virus, so it might be better to stick with it.
It might have been on one of Dr John Campbell’s videos.

news.sky.com/story/brighton-student-told-to-self-isolate-over-coronavirus-link-11928979?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter Brighton student told to self-isolate over coronavirus link

MissPoldark

I agree, but I use paracetamol/ibuprofen fairly copiously for the mild/sore throat stage because it keeps them drinking at least and comfortable enough to sleep.

If they got to the point they were laying about listless (but alert), I would monitor the temperature and basically permit it, along with squirting 1-2mls of rehydration fluid every few mins into the inside of their cheek.

Any less than drowsy but alert, then off to hospital we go (hoping it's not gridlock).

That's the man Miss Poldark , thanks.
I really enjoyed that video(number 11?) will probably watch some of the earlier ones

I'd recommend adding dioralyte to that list.

For those new to prepping who are wondering how to eat using long life foods I would really recommend dried soya mince. You can buy it from holland and barrett and online but also some of the supermarkets. Its indistinguishable from meat in a bolognese/chilli/cottage pie type meal. DS1 went veggie at Christmas and so we've been using it for the first time and its fab.

I'd also recommend Huel. It isn't the cheapest way to eat (about 1.30 a meal) but its just a powder to which you add water. Its full of vitamins and nutrients. Easy to store, easy to prepare and easy to swallow if you have limited strength.

Sorry I can see the list did have rehydration powders!

Can anyone recommend vit d drops?

My dp thinks I'm panicking over nothing but I work in a uni with a massive cohort of Asian students. I know a lot will have been home for cny so I am quite concerned for them and myself. (I love our students)

I've been following both threads and still have a good amount of stuff left over from my Brexit stash.
Going to try and use some of that over the coming weeks and replace it with new stuff.
Also getting rid of stuff we dont need to make a bit of cash/make space for storing stuff. We are lucky enough to have a massive pantry with deep shelves. I have become a bit OCD with this so need to try and stay level headed whilst maintaining a level of control/safety if the worst does happen.

Does anyone know if the High5 hydration tablets

ZERO Hydration Tablets contain Vitamin C and 5 electrolytes, including sodium, magnesium and potassium. Vitamin C in ZERO supports a healthy immune system, protects the cells from oxidative stress and contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Magnesium in ZERO contributes to electrolyte balance, reduces tiredness and fatigue, whilst supporting muscle protein synthesis. It’s the ideal zero calorie drink to replace fluid and rehydrate optimally with a specific dose of electrolytes to replace the minerals lost through sweat

Are as good as dioralyte for this kind of thing? As they’re something I’m more likely to use in future, if not needed for this. Whereas I have a box of dioraltye that never gets used.

Can anyone recommend vit d drops?

i like the sprays. You can get them in holland and barrett

Been following the thread it has made me feel less anxious plus for the first time ever I have a well stocked kitchen

My brother has been working in Malaysia and is coming back tomorrow, I’m due to meet up with him mid March. Already worrying but 6 weeks after he gets back should be okay?