Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Preppers
Original poster

Prepping for Pandemic... 14

999 replies

FuckThisWind · 12/03/2020 18:55

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
22
MagisCapulus · 14/03/2020 08:55

There seem to be good stocks of Pool shock available. This one is on prime too. amzn.to/2WeKkO6

@JennyPrepper1 thank you for all that you do, are doing, and are going to do in the face of the nightmare coming.

YellowPinkie · 14/03/2020 08:55

I've just found a bag of badly sprouted potatoes in the back of a cupboard.

If I plant them outside will they grow? New to gardening 😂

MacronsPensWiper · 14/03/2020 08:55

Re dedicated help lines, someone poster the Taiwan approach to this.. My jaw was floored. I was gobsmacked.
They are on top and all over it, have a special virus team!.

It made me realise that at the very very least, we should have had a separate Covid hotline! So 111 can cope with the normal illness and not be swamped by covid.

MoonlightMistletoe · 14/03/2020 08:56

@Reastie :( sorry, this is really shit isn't it I'm happy I don't need to leave the house today. Perhaps is best to see how you feel on Monday and go from there x

WhereDoWeGo · 14/03/2020 09:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoonlightMistletoe · 14/03/2020 09:02

Did anyone else watch this video of Dr.John Campbell ? Saying if we take the documented case number and times by 10-20 then that's the true number of cases so that's why they won't test for mild symptoms because we know it's being spread in the community.
Also mentions that the advice is for the vulnerable to distance later not yet however he has told his parents to stay indoors already and they are.

VenetoResident · 14/03/2020 09:04

Good information on bleach here:

www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20060213/bleach.html

A small section:

•	Bleach is more effective at killing germs when diluted than when used straight out of the bottle. For most uses, a ratio of nine parts water to one part bleach is recommended.

•	Bleach can expire. After a shelf life of six months, bleach starts to degrade. Even in its original bottle, bleach becomes 20 percent less effective as each year goes by.

•	Bleach mixed with water at a 1:9 ratio (i.e. 10 percent bleach) is potent for about a day (it's more unstable in its diluted form). If you plan to use a bleach solution over the span of a week for repeated disinfection, Curriden recommends mixing it at a 1:4 ratio (20 percent bleach) to make it last.
VenetoResident · 14/03/2020 09:09

@MacronsPensWiper - there was a hotline here from almost the start. No-one I know (including me) ever got through.

How frustrating re the doctor not understanding the difficulties in seeing them. We got the same response a few weeks ago. I was telling our UK medical team that it was impossible to see a GP and all they said was - well they must see a doctor. Call an ambulance. 🤬🤯🤬

Did you mean she's on AB now? I'd want her at peak form too.

@Yellowpinkie - we certainly used to do this, but I think seed potatoes crop better.

MoonlightMistletoe · 14/03/2020 09:09

What would be the best way to clean all of the children's toys ? I was thinking to get a bottle of Milton And soak the plastic toys in the bath?

MrsWhites · 14/03/2020 09:10

Can I ask what everyone is doing/has done about repeat prescriptions? Have your gp’s given you more than usual given the situation?

I’m due to put a request in on Monday for my sons which usually lasts around 3 weeks, do you think it’s wise to write a note on the request asking for 2 lots given the situation?

SingingBabooshkaBadly · 14/03/2020 09:12

@AmelieTaylor DH is being a little more sensible now. I think the classes are out for the foreseeable though he was worrying yesterday about the hit to the tutor’s income if everyone stays away. Mind you, about an hour after he told me he wasn’t going he suddenly said ‘ Oh, we should book some cinema tickets. We still haven’t seen Parasite and I want to see Dark Waters too’. Confused. I squashed that one - suggested we might wait for the DVD release...

Yesterday was a turning point though. He cried and told me he was frightened. It broke my heart - he’s always so stoic despite all his struggles. He was always so athletic and healthy so it’s taken many, many years of ill health for him to see himself as a vulnerable person. Now, with this, he really does. Vulnerable and dispensable. And so worried about his lovely 87 YO DM who has diabetes and a heart condition. We’ve cancelled our Mother’s Day visit of course, but I keep thinking what if she catches it and we never see her again?

[
Amelie, Molly and everyone else struggling today (that’s probably all of us isn’t it?) I totally understand your fear. It comes in waves for me. I feel like I have anxiety running constantly as my background programme no matter what I’m doing and then suddenly I get hit with a wave of despair, fear, panic or just...sadness. I think it’s struck me now that, even if by some miracle, we avoid or survive it ourselves we will lose people, how can we not? Unless we’re reading this wrong? Could we be? I don’t think so but sometimes instead of the wave of fear I get the glimmer of hope that stems from the last residue of feeling that something this bad can’t really happen. Except for some people it has already happened...😔

VenetoResident · 14/03/2020 09:19

Who mentioned cleaning with wipes yesterday?

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/environmental-cleaning-and-disinfection-principles-for-covid-19.pdf

Detergent-impregnated wipes may be used but should not be used as a replacement for the mechanical cleaning process.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/65012/WHOEMCCESR98.22%28sections5-6%29.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

The above link clearly explains how to use bleach for cleaning but suggests 1:100 dilution.

Also that solutions must be prepared daily. They lose their strength after 24 hours. Anytime the odour of chlorine is not present, discard the solution.

Note: 1:10 bleach solution is caustic. Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. Prepare the bleach solutions in a well-ventilated area.

VenetoResident · 14/03/2020 09:22

@Moonlightmistletoe

Can you put any in the dishwasher?

Reastie · 14/03/2020 09:23

@MrsWhites I’ve been putting in slightly early requests for repeat prescriptions since January to get enough to last a while longer if needed. I’d put in a request early and see what happens. They don’t want a run on medications so people have more than they need and tyres isn’t enough for people who need it if supply issues but I’d think it sense to have a little bit of wiggle space should you become ill and not able to get more for a little while.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/03/2020 09:24

Good old nappisan and a nappy bucket would work on the "reusable bog roll"

Posharmchairs · 14/03/2020 09:29

Our large local supermarket at 9am

No...

Loo roll
Pasta
Beans
Tin tomato
Soap
Nappies

Low on lots of other goods.

Glad I’m off home to dehydrate some onions!

Also picking up large box of disposable gloves for elderly relatives.

I don’t feel like I know enough about masks to make an informed purchase.

inmylifeIlovedthemall · 14/03/2020 09:33

Handhold from here AmelieTaylor

I share your fears of dying alone and in pain. I am also very distressed that I may never see my DD or Grandchildren again.

However after a melt down yesrerday I am trying to be as rational as possible. We can only do what we can do and now need to use this time to prep where possible.

Also try to find a way to escape from the news, preferably outside.

You are not alone, there are many of us sharing your fears and you are welcome to pm anytime if it all gets too much.

Vaki · 14/03/2020 09:47

@AmelieTaylor , i also share your fears especially as someone with a serious underlying condition that needs surgery and then treatment in a hospital in the next few weeks.

But we've to stay strong and realise we've done all we can to protect ourselves and our families and that while this is a very nerve wracking time, there are thousands of people working hard everyday to try protect us and help us combat the virus all over the globe.

As a previous poster said, if you need to talk, don't hesitate to pm

MinesaPinotPlease · 14/03/2020 09:48

Maybe think of adding dishwasher salt to your lists.

Our machine stopped draining yesterday - tried lots of things before realizing it needed salt! It Is now working again beautifully but we would have been stuck If I had of run out of salt.

MinesaPinotPlease · 14/03/2020 09:53

Just read this on FB and it lifted my spirit.
Sorry don’t know who the original author was. Not prepping as such but wanted to share.

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

March 13th 2020

MacronsPensWiper · 14/03/2020 09:53

veneto

She has slightly swollen glands, chesty cough with a slight wheeze and an infected toe nail.

She gets viral wheeze at this time of year.. She has an inhaler.

She's been given antibiotics.
But also steroids.

When df was dying a few years ago, I had same issue with dd and without asking doc said.... If it gets worse have a script for anti bs....

We didn't use them but the relief to have the script.
The doctor gave me lecture on wrong use of antibiotics.

MacronsPensWiper · 14/03/2020 09:54

Sorry, yesterday's doc gave me lecture instead of giving me something for the future .

MrsWhites · 14/03/2020 09:55

@Reastie that’s what I think I’ll do, I’ll put it in on Monday which is a few days early and see how we go. Then do the same again next time, hopefully that way we’ll start to build a bit of wiggle room.

MacronsPensWiper · 14/03/2020 09:59

mental health apologies if it's been mentioned but lovely lady on TV yesterday saying, come into house, don't touch anything, go straight to tap, wash hands like mad....
.. Then forget about it... She said its really important that the home is and feels like a safe space where we can escape the outside worries.
.

HasaDigaEebowai · 14/03/2020 10:02

I've just found a bag of badly sprouted potatoes in the back of a cupboard. If I plant them outside will they grow? New to gardening 😂

Yes. They don't have as reliable a rate as seed potatoes and you won't know what type they are which means you wont know in advance when they will be ready but otherwise just dig holes about 10cm deep and 30cm apart and pop them in. One potato magically turns into about 10. They will push leaves up fairly quickly and you need to keep mounding up the soil around the sprouting stem (this is so that the baby potatoes aren't too close to the surface). That's about it.