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.

I've read conflicting things about taking zinc. Does anyone have anything solid on these? I've bought some and we are taking as a preventative to boost immune system, but I'm not sure whether to keep using if we actually come down with it - I read something about the virus binding to it?

They must spend the first 5 minutes of the COBRA meeting deciding to do nothing, and the rest of the time drinking whisky and congratulating each other on being masters of the universe.

Twitter - Doctors of Italy have released this picture recommending self isolation. “Stay away and isolate yourself” reads the caption. High time action is taken. I am thinking closing the doors from today will be the best choice to make. Stay safe all x

Sorry this is the picture

21 deaths

The numbers are just unfathomable this week - and we're still at the beginning of this crisis.

342 more today? That's of the tested ones...

I think the numbers are off as no one knows how much have been infected. The number of deaths are alarming though

I took the bus to Cardiff today (to save fuel) and both the bus and Cardiff were very quiet. I was one of 5 people on the bus there and I'm now one of 3 people on the way home (normally full and people standing).

Cardiff itself was very quiet especially for the weekend. I made an effort to shop in some of the smaller independent shops as they will be struggling.

Hot bath when I get home though, will be washing my clothes and wiping down shoes. I don't normally wash my clothes after wearing once but will definitely be doing that over the next few weeks / months.

So if every death is 10,000 infected Does that mean we’ve got 210,000 cases in the uk???

On a group chat yesterday, I mentioned I was wondering whether to get some more cat food (they're a greedy pair - 12 pouches doesn't last two days}. A friend replied saying 'you're going to tell me you've been stock piling alcohol next' - well I'm trying, but keep drinking it!

A couple of friends have been saying all these weeks it's all hype, but I've told them I've been getting extra things in as I don't expect someone else to do shopping for me if I'm in isolation, increasing their chances of exposure to virus.

Have to say I'm glad I'm not trying to stock up now it's so busy in shops, just trying to limit my shopping to fresh stuff, oh and a massive pizza for tonight.

@QueSera Have you got any graphs to hand showing Italy’s results?

Anyone medical her, or is @JennyPrepper1 about? DH is refusing to ask at work. Is someone who has previously had heart surgery - so it is technically fixed - considered higher risk? Is it an underlying condition?

Those figures are at least five days behind though, surely? My neighbour was taken in yesterday evening and we’ve been told the test results won’t be back till Tuesday, so we are much further along than the figures suggest.

We are self isolating as of now.

@Cakeonme these sites are where I've got the figures from:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020coronavirusspandemicinnItaly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020coronavirussoutbreakinntheUnitedd_Kingdom

Just checking in today. How is everyone coping with the stress?

I'm ok, trying to focus on home keeping more than anything. Just had a meltdown from 4yr old DD after explaining she couldn't have more fruit- she's already had a banana, orange, apple and kiwi today. We will be out of fresh fruit by the end of the weekend. Luckily I have plenty of tinned and frozen!

I go through waves of stress where I want to sob and sob and then moments when I am eerily calm and can see an end to all this and a time when life will be normal(ish) again, even if it won't be for a while.

Does anyone else still have the feeling of when things go very quiet before a massive thunderstorm? I still feel we are in that in-between space for another 5 days or so and we still have time to prep a bit more but I feel at a loss as to what I should be doing, what last bits I should get. What will I regret not having when I can't get it or can't easily pop out on a whim? I just don't know.

I've been feeling more run down and just started crying today and blocked all the other sites I've been spending too much time on.

The CZ are also now also closing all shops and restaurants in the Czech Republic to close for 10 days with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies and said police will patrol the shopping centers.

@Readyme - I was super cross about that too. It really upset the locals.

@notanothercold - it was like that here too last week. How times change! People didn't respect it so things got tighter and tighter.

@Reastie - cheddar is generally good for a few months, but with about a fortnight to go I grate it and freeze it in takeaway tubs. Don't fill them completely. Then a quick shake frees as much as you need. Other sow you have to defrost it all. We only get cheddar in Lidl here twice a year so I always buy lots!

@MrsPlesWearsAFez - most larger supermarkets sell clothes if you get desperate. And you won't need so many if you're not going out!

We still have mail and couriers. They haven't stopped people going to work (unless it's a prohibited type of shop).

@middleager - boosters should be timed to boost before immunity drops too low. I'm sure a few months either side won't hurt. Imagine the September babies - they'll have been vaccinated much earlier than your DC.

@TiddleTaddleTat - you need to factor in the time from infection to death is at least a fortnight, maybe a month. So you're looking at the number of cases that amount of time ago. Like looking at stars is seeing light from many years ago.

I wish I could upload pictures - I see so many good info graphics. My phone won't let me. 😭

Major coffee chain in Canada, Second Cup, has stopped accepting cash (because of coronavirus). And of course you can no longer bring your own cup/mug in.

secondcup.com/covid-message

orangecake I've seen you around from the brexit prep thread, and I think you are quite young and trying to support you family. I just want to give you a great big hug x

I wonder about this not being allowed to bring your own cup. If cross contamination from someone’s cup is possible now then surely it was always possible? In other words the reusable cups could have been spreading flu or herpes etc for years?

Does anyone have any information on how long the virus lasts on different surfaces? I believe it's longer on metal? Also want to be clearer about clothes and shoes...

Second question, what's the best way to get rid of possible virus on phones, tv remotes, PlayStation controllers etc? thanks v much.

Do we need a separate "Answers to key questions thread which is a reference one?