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.

Morning,
Just checking in. Sorry couldn’t skim through posts. The Times says “ Police will be able to detain infected people and schools could be forced to stay open under a package of powers being announced next week to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.”

The emergency laws will enable police and immigration officers to detain people “for a limited period” if there are concerns that they could be infected. The government will have the power to direct schools and nurseries to stay open if they are closed unnecessarily by teachers and staff and to close them as the pandemic peaks. The care given to the elderly could also be stripped back. Local authorities will be able to offer reduced levels of care to people in their homes or in care homes as long as it does not lead to “serious neglect or harm”.

There are further measures to speed up cremations and burials. “In a reasonable worst-case scenario the death management industry will be rapidly overwhelmed,” the government said in a draft. “There is a significant gap in body storage requirements to ensure we are prepared for the reasonable worst-case scenario.”

Other countries are saving its people whereas here the cremation is being planned. I couldn’t digest this. Schools remaining open is an absurd idea I should say. I empathise with all front line workers.

@wheresmymojo that reddit post about the chances of getting it are terrifying. I can’t even begin to imagine how many family members & friends are going to die during this. Especially combined with that other post about the % per capita vents we have - or rather don’t have. I’m seriously terrified I’m going to be one of the ‘older, underlying conditions’. I think the number of people who have already died of ‘heart/pneumonia’ conditions that weren’t tested for Covid would be alarming.

@wheresmymojo. That reddit post about the chances of getting it really brings it home.

I cannot keep saying it’s terrifying/I’m terrified - but it is & I am and I don’t know how else to say it. Yet at the same time it still feels SO unreal.

I’ve found a cupboard I can stash stuff in, hurrah!

I’m wondering about going to bookers (bit like Costco, we have membership) on Monday to add to my supplies but unsure if a good idea or not. Has anyone been to similar recently? I’m thinking stuff might just be sold out and it’ll be heaving...and I’m trying to keep a low profile.... but the big packs of stuff would be great for us and my parents

Morning all. I'm still trying to catch up. And struggling more and more to digest the magnitude of what is happening. I know I'm in a period of adjustment (not just CV related) and things are up and down understandably for all of us. But yesterday I felt ok. Today I feel flattened. I feel a have too much responsibility on my hands. Both literally and figuratively if that makes sense.

Today is my long shift at work. I'll not be back home till 7pm. I suspect I will then crash out. Will catch up when I can.

Can you believe - One week ago, on March 6, the total number of cases stood at 163. Today’s total is almost five times greater than that figure. 😓

Local news today. 😰 35 year old female anaesthetist in ICU.

mattinopadova.gelocal.it/padova/cronaca/2020/03/13/news/a-padova-ricoverata-un-anestesista-di-35-anni-1.38587537

Padova. A 35-year-old anesthesiologist, fresh out of specialization. The doctor is very young and now she only breathes thanks to a machine, in the intensive care unit of the Padua hospital. Naturally, there is the utmost confidentiality about personal data, but in via Giustiniani the word spread quickly: it has been said many times that the main victims of the coronavirus are the elderly, and indeed at the beginning it seemed that even aggravated were only people of a certain age. Instead now, among those who are suffering the most, there is a girl just 35 years old, who perhaps got sick right inside the hospital, to help her patients.

@Posharmchairs you can freeze eggs???

Going to brave the supermarket and get as much fresh veg as I can store and/or preserve. I suspect I may end up leaving meals outside for a few relatives so I need to try and eek out traditional meals they’ll eat.

So far nobody has noticed the increasing amount of lentils I’m putting in mince based dishes.

I woke up this morning with the terror shakes and I know that’s unreasonable. I worked so hard last year and the year before on my anxiety and have been getting it under control but this is pushing me over the edge.

If I’m honest, I haven’t been extra cleaning in the house. I generally have a routine of a ‘deep’ clean room a day, so kitchen Monday living room Tuesday etc (only a small house.) I dilute ecover in hot water because DP had chemical sensitivities for a long time and do all the surfaces, light switches, door handles etc anyway... but should I be using bleach?? Can I dilute it or do I use it neat with marigolds? That sounds like a recipe for destroying stuff...

5x the numbers from a week ago is ridiculous. I just want to haul my son up into the mountains with my stocks.

@Reastie
bookers is great, good stocks of most things bar hand gel, bit low on toilet rolll but 5 litre containers Milton, large Dettol laundry cleanser.
All the normal things. I bought 10 packs butter, large tins tomatoes and kidney beans, chorizo sausage, large packs bacon and cheese. Lots of fresh stuff with September dates.

@alohamolly not sure RE bleach etc but sorry you've woken up feeling like this :(

@MidsummerMeadow are you feeling a little better his morning?

Morning all and thanks for all your support and kind words! @SingingBabooshkaBadly - I have the calcium hypochlorite as pool shock but am aware that sodium hypochlorite can be used to amke bleach too, think most Pool places in UK sell the calcium hypochlorite. @AmelieTaylor - Dettol is fine and the wipes are great for mobiles etc ( as is soap and water) IMHO just I feel more at home/confident in stronger stuff, do agree that it can leave a smell and might damage, so from my side don't pleased discount Dettol etc. I'd just keep it as a back-up and bleach while you can. I might be a bit teaching granny to suck eggs here and it may have been mentioned in previous posts but don't forget that bleach over about 6 months old can lose it's effectiveness and after about a year can be pretty useless, so I'd perhaps get a few in now if you can still find it.

Happy prepping today - bet the supermarkets will be chocka.........

Thanks @Alwayscheerful. I just don’t know if I can face going. I wonder when they are most quiet... I would say as soon as open or just before closing but shop keepers may well go then to stock up when shops are closed.

@AlohaMolly I've been using one cap of normal bleach with half a litre of warm water mixed in a spray bottle. One bottle of your cheap 30p bleach from Tesco's will fill 50spray bottles. So far no damages, surfaces all clean, done the banisters they are wood and they're ok. Even tested on the carpet only on a small stain and it hasn't damaged it. So I think bleach is the way forward for me.

Just had a brainwave for those who can’t get hold of toilet paper.

You know that bag of odd socks you have? The ones for which the other sock is long gone? There you go - reusable toilet paper!

The wee wee ones could go straight in the washing machine.

The poo ones I would soak in Milton liquid.

You heard it here first.

Thinking of you MidsummerMeadow

I also had a meltdown yesterday. After days of restless sleep and tearfulness something just blew and triggered an uncontrollable anxiety attack.

I am much calmer today and am hoping you feel the same.

I think that some of the issue for people like us that live alone is that there is no one to help us rationalise what is happening. We feel more vulnerable because we have all the responsibility for prepping into a totally unknown scenario.

This thread and the support from so many people on here yesterday have helped to lessen the feelings of isolation. So too has turning off the news and restricting my social media habit. I am now trying to only communicate with friends and catch up here two or three times a day. That gives my brain space to think through what I still need to do in a less panicky way.

to all the lovely supportive people on this thread. We are lucky to have each other and I am convinced that the combined wisdom and support in these posts will help us all to be a little safer

@Reastie I'd say it's worth going, I'd get there an hour before opening so you are first in line! The Costco here in London was very busy and apparently spraying the trolls on the way in and out.

Trolls Shopping trolly !

@MoonlightMistletoe I’m too scared to go I think 🥺

@JennyPrepper1Thanks for the tips and for your AMAZING work you and your colleagues do. 🍰🍫🍸☕️

@MidsummerMeadow I completely understand how you feel but you’re not alone. I hope you’re feeling a bit calmer this morning. As a long time anxiety sufferer I know the nighttime makes everything seem worse.

Morning all,

Just checking in for today. Reading lots of posts on Coronavirus community Facebook group of people having symptoms, really struggling with them but being refused tests by 111! Also spotted a Facebook post about MP’s being given a dedicated helpline to ring if they show symptoms!

@CookiesAreForEatingNotStoring so sorry for your situation with your MIL, I really hope she manages to stay peaceful.

@JennyPrepper1 wow, thank you for everything you are doing! My sister works in the NHS in a non-clinical role and she has been telling me about the chaos ensuing in her hospital too!

Hi everyone I name change but have been here for at least past 3 threads, dipping in and out. I too appreciate the fairly calm stoic approach here and have picked up some wonderful tips..
Thanks to my good base line of products, gradually built up over the weeks I've asked dh to get a shop in for our local food bank collection.
If there are any dry goods left to get.
I've also emailed supermarkets to hold back some products for the elderly!
Eg loo roll when it gets in.

I was heavily triaged to get docs appt for dd yesterday. She has heavy chesty cough and is susceptible to viral wheeze at this time of year.
Unfortunately our doctor didn't understand the hoops on the outside people are having to go through to get in, call 111 etc. He refused to give me any medication to help dd should she fall ill because he said., '' she will need to be seen '' 😂😂😂😂😂😂😷😷 you couldn't make it up.

For her current issues she has antibiotics and steroids but she's not that bad for steroids yet.

. Do I hold those in reserve?

Or throw everything at her chest now to clear it ready for covid??

She's 7.

Has volumiser inhaler

A massive thank you JennyPrepper1 for all you are doing to help to keep us safe.

I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for people working in the NHS right now. My brother (ODA) said yesterday that the attitude amonst his colleauges is that they ‘won’t give up’ but I can already see that he feels drained by the enormity of what he faces.

Thank you feels inadequate in the face of all that, but I do want you to know how very much your work is appreciated.