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.

American or not @seatoski your post still stands.
I know of quite a few people doing just that. As you say, they cant check if they are ill and we've been told to take time off for coughs and temps.

@Nomorewineever - they've dispensed the wrong strength of medicine, and it will need returning for the correct one (sorry). Well spotted

@ofwarren - thank you for the kitten pics, they are a welcome distraction

We're going to be doing the mandatory seven day quarantine as dc has a cough. It's been lingering since the viral tonsillitis, but it also buys me some time to speak to our GP about when to pull her out. Knowing how the choices they're having to make in Italy would impact dc if she got ill enough to need intensive treatment is just... Devastating. So difficult to stay detatched from that.

Those considering/ordering nebulisers - do you regularly have to visit emergency care for nebulisers and/or oxygen and steroids, or is this just something extra you're considering?

This combines the two main things that fill my brain at the moment...

Cats & coronavirus

I didn't make it, I stole it from Twitter

Welcome @Bercows, nice to see you. I was on the Brexit prepping threads and Westminsters with you

I think someone mentioned in a previous thread that there was a google map of conformed cases in the uk- I'd appreciate if someone could help me find it. I know it'll be out of date but I'd like to check up on a couple of local cases I've heard about.

@84TinsOfBeans I have a 9 tray Excalibur they do 5 tray ones as well.
Horizontal fan set up rather than vertical, much easier to keep clean and huge capacity.
I love my Excalibur dehydrator and it gets a lot of use for preserving produce here

Dunno, the fizzy orange tablets are more than 100% zinc and vitamin c tho.

Developed a sore throat, took fizzy tablet also had vit d, Vitamin b complex earlier too.

Pissed off as was just getting better after long winter and going down again with illness.

A family member has developed a cough and high temperature. We were planned a visit. Grr. Better not, eh?

Yo Bercow, where's your silk tie?

Here's the google map: www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yCPR-ukAgE55sROnmBUFmtLN6riVLTu3&hl=en_GB&ll=45.76849377112912%2C5.277416670868433&z=4

@OnTheEdgeOfTheNight

This one?
www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yCPR-ukAgE55sROnmBUFmtLN6riVLTu3&hl=en_GB

Hello everyone, can someone please recommend a digital thermometer? They all seem to have rubbish reviews online.

@pheasantplucker9
My son's liver consultant recommended any of the forehead ones by Braun.

@ofwarren thank you very much

Thank you @Castoreum and @Catmaiden for sharing the link to the map. A neighbour was taken to hospital by ambulance a couple of days ago, after returning from Italy. Its not showing up on the map (yet) ss a covid-19 case but their children attend the local school so I'm concerned about community spread.

Checking in.

I am absolutely horrified at the total lack of even any basic action, and sad, and angry, and frightened.

What a joke -- people over 70, what words of wisdom does Boris have for you in this dangerous situation? Just don't go on any effing cruises.

My children's last day at school is still going to be tomorrow. I'm even more freaked out about losing my daughter's place at her school, but I don't feel at all safe and I feel like this really is the tipping point. In three weeks' time things are going to look even more grim, and I want to start isolating while I still have a chance of not getting it.

Regarding community spread - I do realise the horse has bolted on that one.

On the plus side, I am thinking about what we might do inside and planning our days. If anyone has recommendations for good yoga or tai chi programmes on Youtube etc, hit me up! (Also ones for kids?)

I have always wanted to attempt to play the ukulele badly.

And I'm just about to buy more coloured paper so the children have craft options.

I was with a retired gp when Boris's announcement was made, it was very sad to be with someone as they realised they'd just been written off as expendible: "Oh well then, I'll just have to hope for the best."
As others here recognise, the issue is that a complacent majority will just go about their business as normal because the government say they don't need to change their behaviour yet.

Yoga for Adrienne on You Tube is very good

Checking in. All is calm in Singapore. Cases continue to increase by c.10 daily. The PM has addressed the nation to reassure that the situation is still under control, however Singapore will be facing increasing numbers of imported cases, and will need to bring in new measures in future to control it. All very calm and measured.
www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid19-lee-hsien-loong-covid19-dorscon-not-red-12532014

On preps, I did an order with the Rotten Fruit Box for 16 snack bags of freeze dried fruit. You might have seen their ads on Facebook etc. It seems to be a good, if expensive, way of getting more fruit and vitamins into the stash, and they are dated early 2021.

I’d love a dehydrator, but we’re space limited here and justifying the Instant Pot with my DH was an uphill battle so I don’t think I’ll win with a dehydrator! However, the Instant Pot is a great prep tool- makes all those dried lentils etc easy to use.

We’re also looking at getting a small chest freezer as we have limited freezer space and it would be really handy to have. Most of my stash is canned or dry at the moment.

I’m also looking at gardening. Again, can’t justify the all bells and whistles raised self watering shaded planter I want to DH (it’s a vegepod- they look fantastic!) but I’m going to start with some raised cloth planters and clay pots. The plan is to try and grow brinjal/aubergine, Italian and chinese kales, courgettes, and some local beans. @puppycorn (would tag properly but I don’t think you’ve been on this thread yet)- You offered some tropics gardening advice on an earlier thread. Would love to take you up on that!

Hope everyone here in the UK can find some calm and hope today. It looks so difficult. But at least you are well prepared for it. I’ve found this thread so helpful for that, not just for my own preps, but also in helping me to help my elderly parents in the U.K. prepare.

@https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ae5dda8f86814ae99dde905d2a9070ae

Lovely kind and welcoming op.

I’m really stressed and struggling because of my ocd and the panic buying is meaning I can’t get the cleaning products I normally get through a LOT of anyway and alternative products are now also out of stock most places.

Anyone familiar with me also knows I’m housebound and I’m reliant on deliveries.

I normally shop online with Sainsbury’s mainly occasionally amazon but neither have stocks of what I need. So I’m now back (tail between my legs) and have an order with tesco for Saturday hoping I’ll get SOMETHING I can use. And another booked for Sunday with Sainsburys (as usual) and another for Asda wed and I’ve registered with Morrison’s too who didn’t used to deliver here but apparently now do - not sure when that exactly happened. If I get what I need from Tesco I may well cancel asda.

I’m actually relieved I have good stocks of shower gel and shampoo - thanks to you guys - as it’s looking like I may have to use that as hand wash.

Local Facebook page also blowing up with others trying to get this and similar products and they’re completely sold out locally.

I understand peoples anxieties I really do, and I feel such sympathy for everyone’s concerns, but this is genuinely causing me considerable stress and I barely manage normally!

And quite honestly I suspect what will happen is many people will have bought the product just in case but may well never use it. Whereas I use it copiously.

And breathe - needed a rant!

I’m aware my anxiety is affecting my ability to be logical and plan so if anyone has any tips I’m all ears.

I’m vulnerable due to underlying physical conditions but as I was already default self isolating not too worried about that, plus with the ocd I wash my hands after I touch door, deliveries, delivery electronic pads etc anyway.

I’m a little worried about relatives but they seem to be prepared and being sensible about not going out unless absolutely necessary.

I’m so angry with johnson & govt. personally I think the very least they should be doing is cancelling/postponing all events which involve non essential crowd creation (concerts, festivals, theatre shows) and closing similarly risky establishments (cinemas, nightclubs, soft play) and all those who can work from home should, close at the very least high schools (lessons can be managed virtually as is happening in Italy) colleges and uni’s (possible exception of medical courses), limiting travel out of/into the country to absolutely essential business travel.

Does anyone have any knowledge on when IF the manufacturers are likely to be able to catch up on demand for the stuff that’s selling out so fast? Even a slight improvement or when it’ll reach a point people no longer feel the need to buy these products?

@singlemum31 do you have loyalty cards? Maybe you have points you can use? Also check emails even spam for discounts and vouchers. Look on money saving expert for discount codes and vouchers. Do you have/could you get a credit card? I know debt not ideal but needs must. Anything you could pawn/sell?

Good morning iv been watching for some months wanting to join in but feeling a bit lurky, iv always kept cupboards well stocked and had extras of hygiene /cleaning bits for mths iv been asking freinds/family to start buying a few bit extra each week and being told they is no need I do have extras which of course I'll give to loved ones but giving with grace and not wanting to point out that if they had listened they would have been fine is going to wind me. Ow well hopefully when I give advice for future events it will be taken

DH is more worried than he wants to admit. He left for work Over half an hour ago so he'll be home in time for me to drive to DS's appointment! Now I'm going to have to dig into my reserve to feed him lunch Means we won't have to use the bus which serves the college and hospital, we don't have to eat lunch at the hospital bus stop and DD doesn't have to sit in the waiting room for an hour.

Hope things are a bit clearer today Itsnot hang onto the fact your DH is agreeing to him not being in school.

Moodykat Switzerland is not much better. Ticino, (border and lots of workers from Italy) have closed the border to all but workers, cinemas, restaurants and non-obligatory school (I.e. uni, colleges but not kindy, primary or secondary). There is one town in Ticino who has declared that compulsory school is now optional. 858 positive plus 7 deaths. Our region hasn't updated anything since Wednesday lunchtime

I asked DS's SLT yesterday and there are no plans to close schools that she is aware of. She is open to us not going if we're not comfortable with using public transport so will look at it week by week.

@Ladybookreader welcome here. It's so annoying when people think you are over the top by sensibly buying a few extras well in advance the to compare you to the panic buyers now.

I have to admit I was a smug ready prepper but yesterday I practically ran into two supermarkets to add extra bits. I think I need to breath and look at my supplies and do a little audit to regain control.

For people with school age children I'm 100% onboard with saying what needs to be said IF you want to take your child out. You are the parents and you are in charge. (I'm a teacher) but a full advocate of term time holidays and days off as when is needed for whatever reason. School is an important part of life. But the operative word is PART. It's only part of our lives.

I do wonder how the other countries are managing now the baby sitting service has gone? It will be interesting to see which approach is either has a better outcome.

My thoughts do turn to those children were school is the lifeline to normality and a refuge away from abusive parents. It to women and children in abusive relationships. I bet they are dreading lockdown or self isolations.

On a really positive note here's a story from yesterday.

I'd been chatting to a woman I know about those going from paycheck to paycheck each week with no room for extras and said if offered to borrow money to a friend. She's refused the loan but wasn't offended.

The woman turned up with a load of shopping for me to distribute to the friend who was thrilled.

The shopping was actually split to two families in the end and it made their day.

Just a reminder to put something in the food bank basket.