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.

Cookies

Sorry about your MIL and for plonking a joke about monkey gangs in the middle of it

I posted before I'd caught up on the thread.

As PP have said I definitely think FaceTime or phone call on speaker phone to hear your voices x

Sorry, cookies, meant to say I am so sorry about your situation

DS2 said school asked all the students to make sure their school emails were connected at home, so that is an interesting development. They know DS1 isnt in today and why, and that some of his friends have the same, and then sent out a parent mail asking anyone with a temp to stay off, so whoops I might have dropped some of them in it then!

Just had an email from our holiday company to say that our holiday is cancelled and we will get a full refund. Mixed feelings. The trip was over Easter and I'm sure we wouldn't have gone. Not with two kids with underlying medical conditions. Still I was looking forwards to it and feel a little sad now :/

@KundaliniRising I've been using one cup bleach and half a litre of warm water in a spray bottle for everything that is hard surfaced like door handles, banisters, floors, cabinets literally everything apart from carpets and clothes.

My ‘Veg in one bed’ book arrived just now.
Distraction and hope, all in one. Thanks for the recommendations.

@morecoffeeneeded

I think it's pretty unrealistic too. There is no way I am able to self isolate my family from me. We are mid renovation and no space to be seperate let alone bathrooms kitchens etc.

Cookies so sorry to hear you are in such sad circumstances

6yo DS has been under the weather today, just took his temperature and it’s over the threshold (but not in itself worryingly high).

My planning brain has kicked in, so glad I don’t have to worry about shopping...

Someone has passed away from the virus in Scotland

Sorry I can’t name check everyone, but heartfelt thanks. To you all. And sorry so many others are also in tough circumstances.

Re monkeys- it’s fine! Smiles are needed. Definitely. MIL loves animals, and she’d have liked to see them. I am sure there will be lots more unexpected consequences to this crisis.

Re hospital accommodation during radiotherapy - no decision made as yet. Because the situation is so volatile, constantly evolving, it’s so hard to plan.

Hi CookiesAreForEatingNotStoring’ very sorry to hear your sad situation. Can you ask the to staff put on your MIlLs favourite music in the background? Perhaps they are already. If they set up FaceTime you can speak to her even if she can’t make any sign of hearing xx

Paramedic friend just told me there are 2 cases in our local hospital.

Looks like there's now a case in my town as well. Hospital admission. It's getting worse

I am absolutely livid with my friend and her boyfriend. He has a cough and a sore throat so obviously has to self isolate but they are both planning to go on holiday (UK) next week because they deserve it! She is also planning to stay with him but still see clients up until that point. I’m a absolutely fucking livid! Raging.
This could be the end of our friendship.

I’m having to self isolate for 7 days, DH is staying in a hotel near his work. He will be swabbed at work before leaving. My colleagues and I swabbed each other last night at the end of our shift by order of our seniors. But nasopharyngeal swabs are so inconsistent because so many HCP do them infrequently and never quite get far enough into the nasopharynx.

Anyone half feeling they haven't prepared enough?

I've done the best I can with the money we have, storage and the fact I do most of the shopping on foot, but now wondering if it's been enough. I'm know I'm ahead of many and it's a relief not having to do a mega shop now or searching for toilet rolls, but ...

@BanKittenHeels I'm so sorry you are having to deal with so much it must be really hard being on the front line.
I just don't get the 'I deserve it' attitude, yeah and those at risk deserve to live!

@CookiesAreForEatingNotStoring

DHs nan passed away in her sleep a couple of nights ago. as devasting as it is she was 89 and im glad she went this way and not after weeks of fighting coronavirus - she'd stocked up on an extra bottle of baileys in case she had to self isolate!

We’ve now moved away from the great unwashed in our apartment complex, into our rental accommodation and ordered an extra freezer which we’re collecting tomorrow.

We’ve got enough space to isolate completely from DH if we need to do so as DD and I are now ‘hibernating’ due to our fragile health, but with DH exposed in his role as a police officer, we need to be ultra prepared.

Fortunately, I hold a supply of steroids, nebules and nebuliser to manage my asthma. I’m forever grateful to my hospital consultant for insisting on this regime as it’s saved the day many times.

For the first time, I admit to feeling frightened. It’s the fear of the unknown and that we’re (UK) really being left to flounder that I’m struggling with.

@CookiesAreForEatingNotStoring I am so sorry you're having to process so much - it must be so hard for you all.

I am ready to lock up the house. We've had contact from DD'S nursery that they are monitoring all children and any child with a cold must stay away - given that nursery is a hot bed of germs I'm fully expecting that at some point in the next week that DD will be off...which will mean self isolation for 7 days.

I dearly wish that BOJO the clown had given firmer guidance yesterday. It was all absolute nonsense.

Yes @ifonly4 we are already staying home food and I hate using up food lol. I'm making a list Sunday of what we have and making meal plans to maximise food. It might help?

Sorry to hear that @JaneBond0007

I'm with you on the frightened @cocoalipbalm

Sometimes I feel like I am breaking into pieces and fuming away - how can something like this happen - no one want their loved ones be culled like this. Can’t the queen intervene in emergency situations and stupid decisions like this?

MH Tip 2 - Structure your days...

As well as having a list of positive things to do while at home I would really encourage structuring your days.

I am actually drawing up a little timetable for myself of chunks of time each day and what I'm aiming to do with them.

Sitting watching Netflix all day is okay now and then but structured days with time for exercise, relaxation, creativity/learning, chores and quality time with those in the house (or via Skype) will leave us feeling more productive and positive.

Now this is what concerns me the most.. look at the consequence of not testing

@CookiesAreForEatingNotStoring I'm so sad for you. What a shitty hand you have been dealt.

Can you make a plan for something to do in 4-6 months? Something nice you have never done before. Doesn't have to cost a fortune but something a bit out of the norm? Like tea at the Ritz or maybe visit a vineyard or something like that. Plan it all out in your mind, the research it, cost it, plan what you would wear, how you would travel etc. You dont need to book again thing at all. Just think of something, plan it and look forward to doing it. Then during radiotherapy for dh you can know there will be something after this too look forward to. Maybe save £5 a week or £2 as well towards it?

I love planning. Good distraction