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.

[RhubarbTea]

I think a lot of us are at exactly the same point, ofwarren which is both comforting and also sad. Today has been the worst day for me I think since this started. I think the grief, anger, fear etc etc has just hit me life a wave partly because most of my prepping is done. Mostly because of Boris being a massive TwatBadger.

The stock market bottoming out is great too...

[itsnotjustflu]

@ofwarren I don't think we can take them out for more than 10 school days without the LA getting involved? He's saying he won't go. Why put so much risk into our lives when all we have to do is deregister after 10 days.

@preponderings a friend of mine has a DS with health issues. His attendance is similar to what my sons would be if we kept him off. They'd threatened her with a £1k fine and court cases. I'm scared of that / DH refusing to even talk to them

@ofwarren indeed who would have thought. It started so promising. Every year we have something. He's lost both his Grandad's to cancer one in 2016, one in 2017 and in 2018 we ended up moving from rental to rental with no home for 5 months

thank you @RhubarbTea we are :( we can get through this somehow.

There's now a case near us but they won't announce where now apparently. So frustrating

I think it was perhaps a panic attack from everything building all these weeks. It's finally happening and it's bloody scary. I am normally the crying type but this is the first time I've really got upset about it. I guess it helps to release emotions. Thanks everyone x

[ofwarren]

Omg myhips I think I would have nearly cried if that happened to me today.

I just can't get my head round how bad it is going to get. I mean, rationally, I know it, but I just can't believe it. I must be in the denial stage.

I need to pull myself together. I knew this was coming and I need to be strong.

I'm prepared physically but I need to somehow prepare mentally.

[bellinisurge]

It seems that they are saying we need to save the big guns of total lockdown until it's really needed as the virus spread peaks. Apparently we aren't all grown up enough to do that for a long period of time and it wouldn't be good for our morale .
Like this situation is better for our morale.
Dd and dh had a row tonight when dd swore about some cancellations we have to do. She was actually handling it all pretty well but swore to let off some steam. Dh had had a dreadful day at work and he got cross with her for swearing. It all blew over and they made friends. The point I'm making is that this fake limbo we are in is dreadful for morale too.
I wonder if their behavioural scientists have modelled what it would be like if we don't take more obvious action.

[sideorderofchips]

I am gobsmacked that the UK isn't doing more. In light of what other countries are doing, countries with less cases than the uk

[Pebble21uk]

I'm so upset by the government's response. What are they playing at!
Both my partner and I work in schools, it feels like we are being thrown under a bus. We both have asthma and my parents who I do a lot for are both in their 80s with underlying health issues including heart failure. I feel like what's the point in having being a prepper for 10 years if I have to do what the government tell me? I feel like I have no control over my situation. Something needs to change.

boomboom1234 I have had my own nebuliser for 10 years and it does give me peace of mind. Doctors will prescrive ventolin nebules where necessary. They aren't always keen to do so because the thinking is if you need to use it then your asthma is not controlled - but I think in the current circs, a doctor would prescribe as a precautionary safeguard. I ahve asked my doctor for some more on presecription. They say that 10 puffs on Ventolin is the same as a nebule - but with a nebuliser you can breath far more gently and regularly than a pressured inhaler.

[WrapTrap]

Thiught I'd lost you for a sec but realised there was a new thread. It's moving so quickly!!

I'm just catching up on todays posts. This has been a really helpful thread. We are prepped for food and cleaning products, gloves and masks. Dh stopped commuting on Tuesday and his work have advised everyone to work from home from next week. I have taken DD1 out of preschool from next Monday. I feel lighter. It seems so bizarre that things are continuing as normal when we are in the middle of a sh*tstorm. Inside my house we are continuing as normal but the world, although seemingly functional, feels like its about to implode. Its a very bizarre feeling to explain. Glad dh has stopped going into work as immune compromised and therefore high risk. Spoke to both sets of DOs today and they are taking it seriously and ordered masks. This is relieving.

[Nomorewineever]

I had a near trauma in the chemist too - it was so crowded but I’d put in a repeat for DSs asthma meds 10 days ago (part of my prepping, to get it a few weeks earlier than normal) There was a delay in processing it so I could only go today. Automatic door. Winter gloves stayed on. Stood well back from the person in front. And this lady came in coughing like a donkey. I’m only short but she stood so bloody close to me I could feel her breath on my neck and then she started coughing. I felt paralysed and repulsed and panicked all at once.

Anyway my point being I think I’ve got to go back 😭 One of DSs meds are 3 x puffs of clenil modulite 50 (50 micro grams) twice a day. Putting them in the cupboard I noticed that the box was a slightly different colour and instead of being called ClenilModulite50 it’s called ClenilModulite200. The dispensing label still says ClenilModulite50 so the prescription hasn’t changed. I think they’ve dispensed the wrong ones. Thoughts? Anyone familiar with these meds? I can post a photo if that’s helpful?

[Oxyiz]

This might seem like a really stupid question but I've never looked at nebulisers before. Would you just add saline solution and breathe it into your lungs? Is that a good idea? I'm looking for any way I can help my husband if he gets this.

[16943389ao]

@FuckThisWind thank you for the new thread made me very emotional reading your lovely introduction. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread I’ve been following from the beginning. Like many others I feared it may come to this but thought I was slightly crazy buying masks and hand gel back in January. Feel heartbroken and so angry that our government is just standing by and watching this happen against the advice of so many experts. Me and my husband had decided to call our daughter in sick next week followed by submitting a holiday form to buy sometime until schools close however listening to Boris talk today I’m unsure if they ever will close. Now I’m completely unsure what to do sending her in goes against all of my gut instincts but she’s so happy there and it’s over subscribed so if we loose her place I’m not sure we’d ever get her back in. I’m so angry we are being put in this situation. However I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you for providing such a safe and calm space and knowing I’m not alone in the way I’m thinking or feeling. Just wish I could wake up from what feels like a surreal and horrible dream.

[itsnotjustflu]

@ofwarren are you self isolating even though you're all well? are you pulling any children out of school?

The worse thing is that now they're not going to tell us where cases are because they're not testing any more. Surely that's morally wrong?

@RhubarbTea definitely at an all time low today

@pebble21uk exactly. They are controlling us and that is not on

[Posharmchairs]

Thank you @MidsummerMeadow.

Elderly relative hamper going out tomorrow:

3 portions of lasagna
1 loaf cake sliced and frozen
Two long life ready meals (curry in a jar and two rich pouches)
Freezable crumpets
Flapjacks
Biscuits
Dark chocolate in small individually wrapped bars
Dried apricots
Large box of strong brew tea
One uht milk.

Two extra long loo rolls
One multipack of pocket tissues
One pack of dettol wipes
Two boxes of paracetamol
One bar soap
One tube e45 hand cream.

I think this has cost me around £25 as relative is gluten free. If you can afford it please do it, I can’t imagine watching the news being told I was collateral in the biggest health crisis of a generation.

[WrapTrap]

@indecentfeminist in-laws are on IOW, know it well xx

[preponderings]

itsnot I can't remember how old he is? Can you get away with telling him that it's the holidays on Monday?

For swimming and clubs (if they're not linked with school) can you speak honestly to the leaders. We're worried because we have these health issues in the family so we need to be more careful than most. We still really want to keep his place. What badges can he work towards at home, etc. Maybe they would be understanding?

What is the reasoning of not meeting your mum? Can you try a "oh I, not sure yet, maybe we can call her on the computer/tablet. Won't that be fun!"

[butterflylove81]

Ok so I had been following government advice haven't stocked up on food or medicines and am now panicking a bit I'm pregnant.

Can anyone fill me in briefly what's been happening on the thread and what I need to do?

[itsnotjustflu]

@preponderings he's 6 and a way too clever 6. I've just had a big honest chat with Beavers and they're going to let him earn badges at home....big yay. Broke my heart when they told me he'd decorated a Mother's day pot for me which I now won't get for a very long time. Swimming hopefully I can persuade him to keep his space if I still pay but who knows. I'll give it two weeks and then ring if this country is still burying its head in the sand.

My Mum has a case in her village and wants to isolate herself for a bit. I'm hoping if she doesn't see anyone for 2 weeks and we don't we could perhaps work something out. But she's 2 hours away and at some point we'd all need a wee somewhere.

thank you - it's really appreciated. I just need to vent. We all do

[ofwarren]

@itsnotjustflu
My son had a liver transplant 5 years ago and he ends up in hospital with the tiniest thing because his medication suppresses his immune system.
I deregistered him 13 days ago. He is 5 and his little brother is 4 and doesn't start school till sept.

[Nofoolfornoone]

Thank you to the person who offered advice earlier - I’ve now ordered an oximeter, Batteries, checked my thermometer still works, I Already had high quality vitamins and plenty in supply. I’m asthmatic and so I also decided to order a nebuliser so that I can care for myself at home as much and as long as possible.

One annoying thing, I ordered a repeat prescription of all my meds . One is thyroxine and my gp is insisting j have a blood test before issuing me a repeat- I’ve been on it for 3 years and I know technically I’m due a blood test but surely given the circumstances they could make an exception so I don’t have to go into surgery?! So frustrating

[RhubarbTea]

Welcome butterfly
Try not to worry too much - shops are likely to have stocks of most things still although you may need to shop around a bit for stuff like loo rolls, paracetamol, rice and pasta. The only thing which is impossible to find in shops is hand sanitiser.

If you are towards the end of your pregnancy and think you may formula feed or know that you plan to, I would buy some powdered baby milk. Otherwise, the kinds of things you could have in the cupboards depends on your budget and what sort of things you like.

But as an example I have been buying a few extra of my usual things for months and months now. So even on a low income that's a nice thing to do - an extra 4 pack of loo rolls for the cupboard, a few tins of soup. You don't have to go mad.
I understand the worry though. I think we are all feeling it today.

[84TinsOfBeans]

@Singlemum31 I know how hard it is to not have a spare penny.
Do you have any way of accessing any funds for a few extra supplies? Family members? Borrowing from the child's piggy bank?

If not can you buy an extra thing a week to put away? A bag of pasta? Tin of beans? Eventually it'll all add up

[MoreCoffeeNeeded]

Ok deep breaths everyone.

The cases jumped massively. THere was a COBRA meeting. I think this is the day we all expected IT to happen. And it hasnt. So there is an adjustment in our mindset needed. All the anxiety and panic and fear everyone is feeling toight is a release of all that pent up tension that we expected to direct to right, lets get this done, we are ready, lets go. only to be met with the governments flapping about, so the tension wasnt released in a productive way. There as such a build up to todays announcement with scotland and ireland. and then it didnt happen. you need a release.

Remember, we are READY. now it is a waiting game again. uneasy, yes. but take the small things you can to reassure yourselves. look at and organise your preps. take a walk. hug your families. this is gonna be a marathon so we have to conserve our energy.

[84TinsOfBeans]

@Singlemum31 I used to stash away one toilet roll out of the pack and that adds up over time.
Just tiny things that came together in the end.

[Sprayitall]

Ok, I have decided to type this to everyone who is on the edge and having horrible day with this uncertainty

The school thing is super annoying I understand- But what I personally think is, no need to work it up now because things and situations are expected to get worse same the action plan will do, But it’s important to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. So don’t take all this inside. Stress ruins health and decreases immunity.

Come what may - let’s face it. Remember there is also a positive possibility for every situation. At the worst scenario 80% will get affected - which leaves a possibility of 20% not being affected. 20% of not being affected is equal to 13 million. Not a bad number at all. Let’s spread optimism and wish lots of good health for us and our loved ones :) Everything happens for a reason and the supreme power knows it all

[84TinsOfBeans]

@Posharmchairs do you have any tips for choosing a dehydrator? Any particular features that are useful or anything to avoid?

It just seems a minefield.

[ofwarren]

Thank you @morecoffeeneeded