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.

OYBBK The issue is that the vast majority of the masks are made in china. Once the stock we have in this country already is gone then there are likely to be supply issues. I'd keep hold of your masks.

I know :( I just feel really bad that I have some as a just in case, and may never need them, when there are other people who need them right now.

I find the low numbers of recoveries concerning.

Just marking my place so I'm prepared

I'm definitely listening to you Red Toothbrush as I know you speak sense on the FWR boards, and also Lweji, I know you're another knowledgable person.

In general though, I like to prep the shit out of everything anyway and this situation makes me feel a bit relieved that I do, more because of the One Inch Of Snow And People Panic Situation, than fears of a mass outbreak.

I have underlying health conditions and have had a couple of unexpected hospital stays and enforced bed rest at home recently, so having a stash comforts me. DH also likes it as he grew up without much food in the cupboard and also genuinely fears Zombies . I buy stuff we use anyway and rotate it.

My question for you all though is about cash. Do people keep cash in the house in case of emergencies? (I'm not trolling and casing your houses I promise) I do worry though about the effects on the banking system (again more due to Panic Mode Enabled so lack of staff, POS systems going down, runs on the banks). I do worry about this as I don't really have any cash to take out of the bank and stash

Re cash I always have an emergency couple of hundred quid in the house and if there is ever a higher risk scenario (as this would be if there was a UK epidemic) then I would withdraw more cash to keep at home.

I do have some cash put aside, not a huge amount, I add a little here and there. But remember to check it for expired paper notes.

OhYouBadBadKitten please don’t worry that you’re taking masks from those that “need it more”:

1. it is impossible to take responsibility for the safety and health of others. It would overwhelm you. And think of it this way: you buying masks for your family now could mean that you now won’t be taking up medical care meaning more resources for someone who truly needs it later down the line.

2. Manufacturers are already now prioritising who they are releasing stock to. Governments, NHS etc don’t buy their stock from Boots/Screwfix, they get them directly from the source (sometimes via a middle agent but are treated and prioritised as though they were the direct buyer).

At the moment, if the manufacturers got orders from Screwfix, Boots, the NHS, and the German Government; they would prioritise it in the exact reverse order: Country with active outbreak and H2H transmission confirmed; then Public Health, then general health, then DIY etc. They are also increasing production capability: www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak-mask-production/

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles for cash, I weigh up the risks of needing only cash long term against the risk of it getting stolen in a burglary. At the moment I’ve managed to squirrel about £100 cash around various places because I judge that the risk of a long term cash society is less than the risk of getting it nicked. So this money is more for if there’s a temporary blip to the banking system for one day so I can still get some bits. If my concern rises, I’ll get more out with the aim of it being a temporary measure until the immediate big risk has passed. On my “prepper wish list” is a full on flood&fire safe to be bolted somewhere secure; and then I’d feel more secure having higher levels of cash around the house. But I’m skint so am prioritising food/water over shiny prepper toys

@HasaDigaEebowai
My dh’s company makes the fibre for the masks and although most companies in our city are telling workers to stay at home they are continuing with production.

High percentage alcohol seems to be low online. Might be a coincidence.

Thanks to all for their suggestions so far.

@wheresmymojo, thank you for starting another thread. Like others I've been using these threads to keep up to date and for a more balanced approach.

Re: cash, I gave to really considered that we may need more readily so don't gave much in the house, I tend to use contactless and very rarely need cash. If things were that bad that systems were down due to lack of staff, I wonder if people wood be trading more with goods that may be in short supply e.g. Calpol for beans and loo roll.

I am concerned and don't feel that we're getting the full picture however I think as others have said those that are heathy should be ok. I am worried about family members who are far from healthy and do have respiratory problems.

For those of you who seem to be able to digest the science journals quite well (better than I can) how long do you think is sensible to prep for? Based on there being new cases still being reported, the incubation period being 14 days and that they've already been isolating for a week or so, if there were a breakout locally and we needed to self isolate wouldn't we need a good couple of months supply? I still have quite a good Brexit stash which I want to keep on top of until at least next Jan anyway.

@Dyrne
I disagree, people are taking masks from those who need it more. I am not talking about kitten, but some people buying boxes and boxes when people are finding it hard to get hold of any and you cannot go into a public place without one - new regulation in my city in China. Actually, not that new, introduced around 25th January I think.
I saw the same in China in 2008 when we had contaminated milk, people buying tens of cartons so there was nothing left. A rather embarrassed expat in our local shop let me have one before she bought the rest of the stock.

ShanghaiDiva oh absolutely I think there is a major difference between Stockpiling/prepping and panic buying. I would say in the UK that we are still (just) on the side of prepping over panic buying. Someone buying a mask in the UK will not affect the availability of masks in China (especially with delays to shipping and delivery meaning the impact of individuals sending to family in China is limited).

Ideally we would have all had a couple of masks stuck in a cupboard already, therefore avoiding the masses of equipment sold out, but in the UK at least we are not ripping masks out of children’s hands yet.

Panic buying, clearing out shelves etc is wrong and is what the whole principle of prepping is aimed to avoid and is the message many of us Preppers want to spread.

(And yes, apologies, I realise I am very UK centric in my views and opinions/advice! In China the advice would be very different)

amp.cnn.com/cnn/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-05-20-intl-hnk/index.html?__twitter_impression=true The virus is thought to spread from person to person through respiratory droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing. There's also a possibility the virus can exist in and spread through contaminated fecal matter. There's currently no evidence that the virus is airborne -- meaning, for instance, it doesn't travel across a large room.

If it's true about spreading in faecal matter, that makes it very different from flu.

I think this thread is quite informative. I dont generally watch the news as it's mostly depressing but I'm interested in this virus ( science degree but changed career). I think it's a well balanced way to follow the virus and avoid Twitter.

I live rurally with four kids and generally have enough food in for a month. But if I'm 100% honest, when it snows, or water treatments break down it does freak me seeing empty shelves in my shops. If people want to stock up on some basics and can avoid black Friday scenes over bread then where is the harm?

Just checked my paracetamol and it expires in 2014 so it will get used. On that note I hardly ever see ibuprofen so will buy that when ever I do see it. I have migraines so the thought of painkillers running out in the shops is a worry

The fecal matter point does seem to be correct.

Dr. John Campbell (very good British doctor on YouTube) explained that a % of patients have nausea, vomiting, abdo pains and diahorrea(sp?) as the virus can travel to infect the stomach and intestines.

They get these symptoms in addition to the fever, aches, cough, trouble breathing.

Not all patients get those symptoms as for some it only infects the respiratory system.

That must be awful wheresmymojo like not being able to breathe properly isn't bad enough! I read yesterday that they found the virus on doorknobs of patients with the disease. Looks like it sheds very easily.

I'll try and not feel too guilty, but I do think people should be very measured in how many masks they buy. I keep reminding myself, I'm on immunosupressants and pick up secondary infections really easily. Currently crossing my fingers that an infection I seem to be brewing doesn't need antibiotics again.

Can I just point people at my weather thread - a couple of potentially large storms this weekend and next week could cause some issues.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weather/3812077-Lots-of-stormy-weather-potential-for-February

Apologies for the Daily Fail link...

There could be more cases from the ship as 273 people have had tests. Only 31 results have come back to date, of which 10 were positive.

Apparently all those on board the cruise ship are now quarantined to their own cabins after ten people being taken off yesterday.

The boredom of being quarantined in a cabin

One guy is saying their food is being rationed...I'm a bit cynical about that as they can easily get more food delivered from the mainland I would have thought?

It's possible he just means 'he can't just have whatever he wants' which I don't really see as rationing.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7967391/Multiple-passengers-quarantined-Coronavirus-cruise-liner-Japan-illness.html

I do love you OYBBK, that you warn us about the weather too

At the risk of enabling Panic Mode even more has anyone read Station Eleven? I keep thinking of the quarantined aeroplane.

Seems I might have been unfair to the guy complaining about rationing...

He is posting live updates on his FB profile here:

m.facebook.com/david.abel.75

I have Station 11 to read next! Love a bit of post-apocalyptic reading

@OhYouBadBadKitten
You have s health situation and it’s sensible to take precautions. It’s the totally healthy people buying boxes and boxes that piss me off.

Oh blimey don't go reading Station 11 at the moment!