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Preppers

Prepping for a pandemic...4

995 replies

wheresmymojo · 14/02/2020 13:59

Third thread on prepping for a pandemic and following the risk of a COVID pandemic.

General COVID Info

The estimated replication rate is R= 2 to 4.8 based on latest expert estimates. This means each infected person spreads the virus to between 2 and 4.8 people. Experts estimate that, unchecked, it could infect 60% of the population.

Around 15-20% of cases are thought to be severe - that is resulting in the need for hospitalisation. Around 3-5% requiring ventilation.

The estimated mortality rate is around 1-2% at the moment (compared to 0.01-0.1% for flu). This may change as it is very difficult to estimate mortality.

Children tend to have milder symptoms. Those over 60 with underlying health issues and a history of smoking are more likely to be severe (although not exclusively this type of person).

Spread of COVID

It is estimated that the average incubation period is 3-5 days but can be as long as 24 days.

It can be spread with no symptoms.

It can be spread via droplet (cough/sneeze), aerosol (breathing same air in very close quarters), bodily fluids, fecal/oral route and formites (via surfaces, up to 28 days in the right circumstances but up to 3-5 days in more typical circumstances).

Updates

As this is a novel virus and knowledge is constantly being updated - I will post updates as they become available with links to source.

I am not a medical expert so any opinions or conjecture of my own should be taken with a pinch of salt!

OP posts:
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16
Tryingtoprep · 15/02/2020 20:19

I've been lurking in these threads, which I've found very helpful. Thank you for all the tips and advice. It definitely helps feeling as prepared as possible. I have an underlying health condition so it's a bit of a worry.

What cough medicine is best for this? I WFH and usually just take it easy for a few days with colds, using natural remedies like lemon & honey. Codeine syrup if it's very bad, just at night. I'm assuming codeine isn't safe with respiratory issues. I'm doing an online shop and need to choose between lemsip, robitissen (sp?), or benylin? I already have paracetamol, ibrupofren, menthol crystals, immodium, vitamin D, C, and zinc.

Also, what do people think about colloidal silver? I've seen mentions of it elsewhere.

wherearemychickens · 15/02/2020 20:21

I think it's supposed to be a dry cough, not a productive one, so you want cough medicine aimed at that I think.

wherearemychickens · 15/02/2020 20:22

Having said that, I've made sure I've got both in my medicine cabinet just to be on the safe side!

torthecatlady · 15/02/2020 20:35

I thought the other thread was a bit quiet... just realised there's a new one Blush

YoursTunbridgeWells · 15/02/2020 20:39

@BlackeyedSusan

Your list - I am missing wind up radio and batteries and some other bits. Plus:

Wood for fires
fire lighters/ matches/ candles
water purification tablets
Seeds (I need to buy these)
Rotavator (I live in the countryside)
Tools
Binbags (need more of these) and plastic bags
Old fabric for rags/ sanpro (in emergency only)
duck tape
extra duvets bedding and towels (4 sets per bed!)

It's all a bit a case of don't chuck it might be useful. Doesn't help my clutter problem!

Tryingtoprep · 15/02/2020 20:50

Thanks, mychickens. I think I'll do the same and get both types. I'm covering all eventualities hopefully!

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned zinc for immune boosting? I take a supplement everyday. Also take vitamin C and vitamin D3.

ItsNotJustTheFuckingFlu · 15/02/2020 20:59

Catching up on thread, name change was stolen from you mojo after you said you were considering creating t shirts on the last thread.

You should put a post on about steps you take to reduce coming into contact with viruses.

These are some of the changes I’ve made since my diagnoses three years ago, they aren’t things I started doing all at once and they’ve just become habit. It might get long cos I'm a waffler so I'll apologise now Smile

I keep my nails short as I find them easier to clean behind and wash hands regularly. I give my rings (only wear engagement and wedding ones) and bracelet and necklace a good clean regularly too as I fidget with them a lot.

Pocket sized bottle of Dettol hand gel and tissues in my coat pockets/hand bags and I’ll clean my hands after touching things in public where a lot of other hands will have been such as cash machines, taxi door handles, traffic light buttons, our own car door handle, chip and pin machines if I can’t use contactless, arm rests on public seats, after handling cash (which isn’t very often as I use my debit card)

Groceries and majority of shopping is done online, esp this time of year, sometimes it can’t be avoided so I’ll try to be aware of what I’m touching in shops and discreetly wipe the basket handle or trolley with an alcohol wipe. This type of stuff id never have done before but since getting sick I see people coughing into hands and then put those hands over produce in the shops all the time, I saw a bloke out his hands down his trousers to scratch and then place those hands back on his trolley (Von) as they’re pushing. If I focus on that stuff too much I’ll never leave the house so I try to be more aware of what I’m touching, wipe it with an alcohol wipe if I can and clean with dettol gel as soon as I’ve touched a common surface I can’t avoid.

Between dh, teen dd and myself items and surfaces we touch a lot are disinfected regularly, tv remote, door handles, light switches, fridge handle, keyboards and mice, phone screens, bannister, wheely bin handle, dd told me she does the zip on her school bag as she is in and out multiple times a day as well as fiddling with it. It sounds like a lot but it’s takes less than five minutes if I were to do it all in go which I don’t, most of the time it’s a spray with the dettol disinfectant spray that comes in a tin. I’m at home majority of the time due to my condition so don’t come into a massive amount of contact with public surfaces day but dd and dh do, Dh works in construction, and some of the things he witnesses his colleagues doing has him grossed out and hes always washed his hands a lot, “filthy bastards” he calls them. Grin

If family are sick I don’t visit them and will ask them not to visit us. There’s been times some have knowingly turned up our house unwell because it’s “just the shits”. I do find that frustrating.

There’s things I’m still working on such as not touching my face or rubbing my eyes so much. I got Bells Palsy as a child and covered my mouth a lot to try cover the droop and as one eyelid doesn’t fully close it can be dry which makes me rub. My diet could be a lot better, I'm working working on it but it could be a lot better. My sleep is terrible too, I installed the sleep button app and will be trying that tonight.

I worry about getting sick a lot but I know I can’t indefinitely avoid it so try to not my condition rule my life, we have a trip to London next weekend to see a musical, I’d by lying if I said I’m not concerned about it, but at present I’m not planning on cancelling, and plan to do what I can to reduce risks and be prepared in case I do get ill, which is what I do anyway if we’re a few nights away from home as I get ill a lot in general. Ill do things like packing extra meds and plenty clean knickers in case there’s a delay in me getting home, Im going to take a travel sized bottle of rubbing alcohol spray to spritz the table on the train and arm rests etc.

There’s also other things I do that’s specific to my lungs and keeping them as clear as I can. I have physio exorcises to do that helps get gunk out, I also have a device that helps me do this. Happy to find link for the device I have if people want it but I don’t know if it would be beneficial for people who aren’t producing excessive mucus.

I might sound unhinged but I’m really not, and I’m not deep cleaning everything all the time, most things are second nature for me now, I’ve seen with my own eyes that a lot of people don’t practice basic hygiene when out and about, the time Ive spent in hospital majority of visitors don’t wash their hands or use the hand sanitiser that was on every patients bedside. I saw a police man do something disgusting this week too. If I have to touch the same surfaces as these people I'm cleaning my hands the best I can.

I’ve not been online much today so catching up now.

ofwarren · 15/02/2020 21:09

Brilliant post thank you ItsNotJustTheFuckingFlu some great ideas there. I do lots of them but there are a few I'm taking on board so thanks

LookingGlassMilk · 15/02/2020 21:12

I've been lurking on these threads since the beginning.

I have stocked up on some masks, latex gloves, cleaning products, surgical spirits etc but I think it will be difficult to avoid infection if it becomes widespread. So I'm focusing more on preparing for infection and possible economic disruption.

I'm very worried about my dad who is 68 and has high blood pressure, and my sister who is pregnant.

I have been trying to research herbal remedies. I know a lot of people roll their eyes at the mention of anything 'natural', and I would obviously prefer to take antivirals, but if the health system is overwhelmed it might be a choice between herbal remedies or nothing.

I have bought lots of elderberry syrup and a bag of dried elderberries to make more, but my concern is that it increases inflammation and could possibly make a cytokine storm worse.

I have bought some liquorice tincture because there is some evidence that glycyrrhizen can prevent the replication of coronavirus's, and it is also anti-inflammatory.

Sixp · 15/02/2020 21:27

Has anyone bought Tamiflu or know if it would be effective at all in this scenario?

TheWordOfBagheera · 15/02/2020 21:33

Can't remember if it's mentioned as a good food to stock up on already, but jelly powder/cubes so that you can make up jelly for any unwell children (or adults!) who struggle to drink enough.

EgonSpengler2020 · 15/02/2020 22:14

Just started a thread for HCPs/ medical scientists interested in an evidenced based discussion or peer-to-peer support over specific concerns related to the work we do and how it might be affected by Covid 19.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3824126-Covid-19-Thread-for-HCPs-PH-specialists-Epidemiologists-research-scientists-etc?watched=1&msgid=93969104#93969104

I have been regularly following and occasionally posting on this thread under a different user name, so this isn't a blatent hijack!

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 15/02/2020 22:15

Following with great interest!
Have stocked up some food, nappies etc
We have a very small freezer so reluctant to take up to much space. The toddler drinks gallons of milk so concerned what to do if we are stuck in the house!

Would I be better off using the small freezer space to freeze milk? Or maybe buy the liter cartons of the toddler Aptimal that can be stored in the press?!

I’ve been shoving lots of fruit and vitamins in the kids in case they don’t have any for weeks. Neither of them eat dried fruit and only one will eat frozen veg and tinned sweet corn.

Also what do people do to charge phones / iPads in case of electricity shortage ?

I’ve made a list for the kids in case we are housebound for a couple of weeks to keep them occupied . In case anyone is in need of ideas !
Please let me know if anyone thinks of more

Painting
Sticking and glueing
Pass the parcel
Play dough
Jigsaws
Paddling pool/ balls
Bath with glow sticks
Reading books
Disco
Musical statues
Karaoke (🤭😂)
Baking
Hiding a toy/ ball
Making dens
Food coloring with pasta
Finding things to make musical instruments
Playing restaurants- designing a menu
Aqua beads
Peg boards
Fashion show
Hair dressers

For the adults - gin

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/02/2020 22:18

indoor assault course with things like don't touch the ground, it's lava.

eeeyoresmiles · 15/02/2020 22:26

Good idea OYBBK, also that's prepping then for an erupting volcano! Wink

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/02/2020 22:28

Grin useful skill that!
We used to 'go on safari' with some homemade binoculars and stuffed toys placed in strategic places.

MotherOfDragonite · 15/02/2020 22:35

@GiveMeAllTheGin8 some of the other options include buying Tetra-paks of milks that can be kept at room temperature (eg I get Oatly Barista), UHT milk, and powdered milk.

BlackeyedSusan · 15/02/2020 22:59

Put some toys away now, then bring them out as fresh and interesting. Keep rotating toys to keep up the interest.

Ibloodylovewomen · 15/02/2020 23:04

@LookingGlassMilk thank you so much for posting about cytokines Shock. I need to do a lot more reading into it. From the articles I've just come across it seems that things like echinacea, honey, and other 'go to' remedies can also increase cytokines, which is dangerous since 2019-nCoV is associated with cytokine storms Confused. If you've read anything useful please could you dm me so as not to take up the thread (not sure the prepped thread is the right place for it).

wheresmymojo · 15/02/2020 23:28

So....the Westerdam cruise is a bit of a problem.

They were tested and came back as negative. Cambodia let them dock there and they've all departed to their various countries.

Now, on arrival to Malaysia one woman has developed symptoms and tested positive.

Oops.

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 15/02/2020 23:30

Of passing interest this is a screen shot of an app the Chinese govt have released that allows you to see where other people have been confirmed with the virus.

Blue pin = person on Reddit who took the screen shot

Red markers = confirmed cases (presumably their home address)

Prepping for a pandemic...4
OP posts:
Pinkfizzy · 15/02/2020 23:33

@Lookingglassmilk

I am also interested in cytokines & remedies..am using sambucol & echinacea as needed, but have CF-similar respiratory issues.

wheresmymojo · 15/02/2020 23:40

New case in France, a British person who caught it from Superspreader Steve

solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/presse/communiques-de-presse/article/coronavirus-covid-19-un-douzieme-cas-confirme-en-france

OP posts:
MyHairIsSoapy · 15/02/2020 23:41

Do the online pharmacies where you can buy salbutamol inhalers from contact your GP to check your prescription or let them know you’ve bought some?
I’m guessing there’s no where yo can buy tamiflu online

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