Prepping for Pandemic... 14

[FuckThisWind]

OK folks, we have been prepping for a Pandemic for 13 threads now. And a Pandemic we now have.

I think we all know this has gone beyond prepping now. And most of us agree that the UK Government has not really stepped up to the mark. We have had shared advice here from our Italian residents and those in other countries who have taken much more stringent measures.

So this thread continues to be about us being prepared. But it is more than that. It is about support, sharing of information and advice. It is now a community. A community who acknowledged a long time ago that this was always 'Not Just The Flu'

I thank you one and all for being here. We have tough times ahead. But we are all still here. Please share, rant, whatever. The great thing about these threads is that they have always been supportive and non judgemental. I like to think it's a safe space for all of us who are concerned. And trying to do our best. For ourselves. For our loved ones. And for our community and beyond.

Thank you NatoPMT, Effiertay, FuckThisWind, AmelieTaylor, Readyme and KundaliniRising for you thoughts.

I think I realise that my mental health has been really impacted by BJ’s Press Conference yesterday. It is a realisation that my generation are being considered disposable ‘before our time’.

Although I am socially isolating to try and protect my physical health, I am already realising 10 days in, just how difficult that is. Delivery drivers, the Postman, having to collect Prescriptions etc. means that it is much more akin to social distancing. Moreover, I have to have some exercise to try and protect my health, so am taking a walk up in the moors / across the fields every day.

I guess the next stage for all of us is to get to grips with just what we will need to do if In a social isolation situation or lockdown and how we can work together to protect our mental health.

@Sprayitall wow that's terribly intrusive and insensitive! The rules around leave for child traveling for death of a loved one is very much a grey area. I believe it's at the discretion of HT/Local authority. I believe anything over 2 weeks is rarely authorised unless it's actually the child who is terribly sick and even then some people are harassed.

I can’t even verbalise the hellscape that is work. I didn’t eat or have a drop to drink for 13 hours yesterday. We didn’t deal with a (confirmed) case of nCV yesterday but I think everyone showed up with issues they’ve been sitting on, to get them seen to before “something happens”.
The tension in the air is palpable, people are desperate and afraid but also just waiting. Waiting for something, waiting for a Big Bang.
I came out of work and cried in my car. Not because I was tired but because I don’t know how we are going to do it.

Then I got home, watched the news which I thought was bad enough, then my son came downstairs with photos his school friend had sent him of all the staff in our local pharmacy lined up outside the shop whilst paramedics in PPE took a staff member away.

And today I’ve woken up with a persistent dry cough, myalgia and a temperature of 38.6C.

Our plan was to visit our terminally ill relative for (possibly one last time) this weekend but that’s not possible and I’m not sure it will be possible again in their limited remaining life.
DH who is also a doctor, is currently on shift, I’m trying to get a message to him.

Thanks to the PP who recommended John Harrison's 'vegetable, fruit and herb gardening in small spaces' book. It's a lovely jolly account full of great ideas that are very useful for us prepper types

@Readyme We went during the term holidays and had to extend the stay for 5 days for funeral. On 6th day we were back to school. We have furnished the details like death certificate, change of flight dates and the receipt of the huge approx £800 for the same. Still we thought this was insensitive of her sending signed unauthorised absence record to us . We couldn’t do anything else as the receptionist won’t allow us to talk or give appointments with the head teacher. I think I might raise that on Monday’s parents evening if they talk anything like that..

Thinking of you inmylifeIlovedthemall 🌸🌸

@Sprayitall think he’s already on cloroquine or whatever it is (and however it’s spelt 🥴) - will that be beneficial?
@BanKittenHeels my full respect goes out to you and I’m sure many of us are thinking about you every day as you have to go face what must be hell on earth.
@inmylifeIlovedthemall sending you unmumsnetty love. I’m sorry you’re struggling, and I want to reassure you, you aren’t alone. I think in times like this, we each need to grasp on to whatever gets us through the dark hours. For me, as a Christian, it’s my faith, and I’ve started a new routine of beginning each day with the kids of singing along with a few songs on YouTube (none of us are singers 😩) followed by a rather clumsy prayer, but I’m remaining calm, if concerned. So whatever gets you through, be it exercise, gardening, reading, dehydrating, mumsnet 😁 lets all be here for each other, and start mentally planning the revolution this nation needs!

The government's plan seems to be to encourage everyone to catch it and let people either get better or die. This is supposed to confer "herd immunity" to the survivors.

Is there any evidence that you can get immunity to this disease and that the immunity lasts a decent length of time?

Surely this disease will keep mutating so any immunuity may not last anyway?

There seems to be a controversy about people contracting the disease a second time and then dying. They are not clear whether they did contract the disease again or whethe they never cleared it the first time. Either way that is worrying!

People who have recovered from a severe case are left with damage to various organs (lungs, heart, testes etc). We don't know what hidden damage even mild cases are doing. It could cause infertility.

I'm sure the governement don't know the answer to these questions either. They are basing their response on the modelling of some hypothetical disease. They don't know enough about this one yet.

Someone tell me I am talking rubbish!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

New guidance for those self isolating with cough or fever symptoms

@inmylifeIlovedthemall Lots of hugs.. I don’t care what the government says, but having my family members in the same generation as you, I’m sure your contributions to families and the societies around you have far exceeded than you all can give. I’m so ashamed that the younger generation now don’t have any say to protect the previous generations. We will all be here for you and will be providing you with ample support during this time.

I'm still processing yesterday. The Dutch government called in some extra measures. No gatherings over 100 people, universities are closing (but not schools because otherwise grandparents will have to babysit and that's a bigger risk), stay home with any cold symptoms and work from home if possible.

The press conference was while I was at work in a supermarket. It suddenly turned into the week before christmas. That is, if you have christmasdinner with tinned veggies and decorate the tree with toilet paper.
Which is odd, because there are no issues with supplies, and shops are not going to be closed.

Now I want to buy some last preparations. But I can't. I have a cough, so I'm staying home And that's even weirder.

This is the article about re-infection. The person did not die, so that is good news:
www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/health/coronavirus-reinfection.html

Staying Mentally Healthy

At times like this we need to make sure that we stay mentally healthy - it is just as important as our physical health not only to keep our immune systems strong but also because living in fear or anxiety for the next 12 months is no way to live and won't change the outcome.

I thought over the day I would share some ideas / tips on this...

MH Tip 1: Find Positive Things To Do At Home

I've found that making a list of positive things I can do while at home has helped.

Everyone's list will be different - mine is:

• Get more into gardening and growing my own food (anything I need can be delivered for now)

• I have a list of craft projects to do / finish

• Learn to paint in watercolours with YouTube tutorials

• I'm starting an online business (this is keeping me beyond busy at the moment)

• I have used the time so far to do a complete review and overhaul of finances (review all outgoings, do comparison shopping, move suppliers). If I decide to I may do a call with a financial advisor.

• Painting the kitchen (have bought the stuff in ready)

• Sort our the garage and finally make the compost container I've been meaning to for nearly 2 years(!)

• Do a full spring clean cupboard by cupboard, room by room sorting out Marie Kondo style

• I have chosen a list of books to read and films to watch

Why are they not updating the maps anymore?

Just catching up on all the posts from last night. Also noticing a change in general opinion on my Facebook this morning, lots of people who were ‘it’s just flu’ last week are posting panicked messages this morning!

I find the amount of people diagnosed/self isolating within football very telling. Obviously they are being tested privately but it just shows how many people would be diagnosed if more nhs testing is carried out!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, BanKittenHeels for everything you and your DH (and others on here also working in the NHS) are going through to try and keep us all safe.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate the work of individuals within our health service. Your sense of commitment and personal sacrifices are truly humbling !!

Thank you permanentlyfrazzled1. I feel there is so much that could be done to help the situation which just isn't and so many vulnerable people being thrown to the lions. France is closing schools but setting up centres for children of healthcare or key workers. That sounds eminently more sensible. We need to come up with solutions to people's real concerns, whether that is underlying illness or childcare... not just carry on regardless.

Your post really touched me inmylifeIlovedthemall You matter... very much, remember that even though something like this shows us how cruel humanity can be - it also shows us the good in people as well. Sending

So sad for everyone struggling with difficult decisions at the moment, it's such a frightening time.

I've got a hospital appointment next week and I really don't want to go. I'm going to wear my gloves and avoid using the toilet while I'm there. I can't believe they are carrying on with routine, non essential appointments right now!

morning everyone and hugs to those feeling stressed.

I still see idiots on my local Facebook group saying "it's just the flu" but most people I talk to are starting to take it a bit more seriously.

For those worried about unauthorised absences, i dont think schools/LA will follow this up. imo they will be too busy on other matters. If you feel it's right for your child and your family to take them out then I'd do it.

I suspect most secondary schools are like my kids - minimal facilities for hand washing and limited use of hand sanitisers. My kids like 90% their commute on the tube to school - they should was their hands on arrival, and before lunch. This is not happening. The government are telling people to wash their hands a lot and i dont think most secondary schools can facilitate that.

I am in two minds about sending the kids in next week.... I work in a school too...

Saw this in twitter - Who the fuck do we think we are! 😂

me too Mrswhites I really wonder what the actual numbers are...

Thank you @wheresmymojo doing something practical can really help calm the mind. I’ll start my list once I’ve finished redecorating the family room - my ‘hospital-at-home’ room incase any of us fall ill. 😁

@Legoandloldolls
Justrightbeauty have 70% 'rubbing alcohol' for £9.99 250ml. It's effectively the same as surgical spirit, I believe. I ordered some recently and it arrived next day. I made my own hand gel with it.
.
www.justrightbeauty.com/rubbing-alcohol-70-isopropyl-alcohol-250ml-jrb-just-right-beauty

I've mown the lawn so made a start on my grand garden design

My grandchildren were taken out of school last week, I've been communicating with the school on my daughters behalf. They just phoned me to ask the reason for absence. I lied and said general cold and, as my daughter has a new born premature baby we are not taking the risk of them picking anything up via school given the situation. Started to be given the 'unauthorised' absence lecture, I cut him off cold and said we really don't give a fuck what you record it as they won't be coming for the foreseeable future. End of conversation.

It has taken me 187 ( that isn't a typo) attempts to get through to my doctors as my regular repeat of steroids hasn't been sent to the pharmacy and now I have none. I'm on a high dose so know it is dangerous to stop them without tapering. Been on hold now for 48 mins.

It is only going to get far worse. Far, far worse

Thank you wheresmymojo for your tips.

• I am definitely going to finsih my decluttering.

• I may also order some paint and paint the bedroom. Have never tackled a room with very high ceilings before, but how hard can it be

• The shed needs a clearout

• Might order a greenhouse or coldframe to grow Salad crops / tomatoes this year

• Need to order plants for the Pots (courtyard garden)

• Then treat myself to a couple of months on Netflix / Britbox