Prepping for a Pandemic... 15

[FuckThisWind]

A lot of us have been here before. We Prepped for Brexit. Some of us are Heathcare workers. We prepare for the worst every day. It's difficult to predict what will happen in our lives. In our lifetime. Will we get Cancer? Will a huge meteorite wipe the world out?

One thing is for sure, this new virus is either affecting us, or is going to affect us all very soon. You are all already onboard. I hope you are prepared and much as you can be. And in the meantime this thread is here to support us all.

This week will bring many new challenges. We are almost certain to have some sort of lockdown. Like other parts of Europe. We aren't special. We aren't different. We are all
fragile souls. But I hope we live to tell the tale.

God Speed.

People starting to see economic impact now (other than me who already was).

Friend's sister may have to take extended unpaid leave as in the travel supply chain.

Another friend's DH being pulled into an all staff meeting tomorrow re: company finances and survival...

Today has been so unsettling. Work in a school and it's all 'business as usual...for now'. So we're in limbo.

The roads around school were quieter today. The stupid yellow line, Park on the blind corner parkers were absent.

There seemed fewer pupils going in.

Ds is off. Temperature. Thought I was ok for thermometer but it has broken. Can't get one until Friday.

@Orchidflower1 lol Pasta romance.

Gosh, I feel like I have an insight into what it must feel like at school these days, left out of the cool kids WhatsApp groups (do they still say cool?)

I suspect people are just grimly getting on a bit now - in a way it's too late to properly prep, the dark(ish) times are upon us...

I also didn't know about the WhatsApp group but I never check my PMs as always use the app so maybe it's on a PM?

@AlohaMolly I think the group is between people who already know each other and are geographically near .. somehow I didn’t feel comfy enough to share my number so I am staying here :)

@tryingtoprep absolutely true. Also I was fuming when one of the staff who talked to me said I need to follow government guidelines than to follow what WHO says on this matter. I said I am going to follow whatever I think is right for my family. Also schools should have the best interests of kids at heart a little too than blindly follow government guidelines so they won’t miss out on the fundings bit. The schools have the power to stay open but still they can still informally ask people to stay home if they can afford it isn’t it. What’s wrong in that

Yes and TBH we get people popping on now asking what they should do to prep and it's a bit

Doing something now definitely isn't prepping!

Sigh even I felt the same - the group here feels a little abandoned than it’s usual isn’t it

Has anyone else's school cancelled extracurricular activities (e.g. After school sports?). This definitely feels like we're only open as childcare or to ensure 80% of the population do catch it.

Whatever I wouldn’t bother to be in whatsapp as i have to keep checking notifications often then .. I feel popping in here to say hello is much safer than sharing numbers or knowing them personally etc.

Also people, if its going to be a long lockdown how do we need to plan the food cupboard? How safe it will be to eat fresh produce like vegetable/ fruits or drink bottled water? Could someone enlighten on that ?

I'm in the whatsapp group (it's not all people who know each other or close to each other, just a random scattering of people from all over) but I don't tend to post on there during the day and have it muted so I don't get constant notifications, I just check in when I can. I'm probably on this thread more as it's easier for me to read than squinting at my phone screen.

I'm also trying to calm the hell down though and be away from the internet more, as my anxiety is reaching insanely high levels and I felt like I couldn't go on like that. I am trying to set aside designated time for thinking about coronavirus and then during the rest of the day just getting on with other things, like study, work, childcare, usual routines etc.
I am shit with change and feeling like I have suddenly been plunged into an apocalyptic film is just a bit devastating. I'm still here though
I'd be interested to know how other people are doing, mental health wise. Is it starting to have an affect, all the terrifying stuff we are being told? As I definitely want to curl up in a ball a lot of the time. Evenings (when I'm tired) seem to be worst.

@Sprayitall I'm sticking to fresh fruit and veg that comes in plastic packets, which I usually avoid, and ripen at home. Also leaning more towards fruit with a skin like Kiwi, oranges and bananas.

Mentally it's a roller coaster. Going along, doing normal stuff, totally forget about it, then something reminds me and I get a flash of panic.

I'm finding it hard to focus. I"be got a bug, (very snotty and mucusy so probably no covid) so can't go out, which isn't helping.

Trying to practise what I preach and focusing on things o can control, and what I can do to support the DC's who are just starting to come to grips with it (Ds is 16 and had an awesome summer planned) and the gp's, one of whom has no mental resilience and will def struggle.

There was definitely half my daughters school not in today!
I resisted going to the shops as I said once a week when it kicks off. I tidied up instead. I feel quite calm now.

It's like the shoke, pandemic is the new norm maybe? I am going to small smaller shops across a few stores as I'm scared that if I even do a weekly shop for six I will be pitchforked!

I'm going to take my sons blue badge to wave in someone's face if they burst a blood vessel that I have two loaves of bread. Sessh. Did expect this angle.

I cleared out my bag today too. Desperate times here.....

Press conference at 4:30 pm on bbc 1 ie just about to start.

WHO have said we need to test, test, test.
What does our glorious leader have to say about that?

Don’t hold your breath people!

Going to catch up on today's events. Was there any new measures from Bojo?

Oh going to watch now.......

Again, news special coming up.

Turn to BBC 1 right now for the full CV coverage

I just froze a dozen eggs, which was a small satisfaction in an otherwise unsettling day.
Beat them and split into two containers. Might do the same again when/if I get more eggs.

I have been following this thread from the very beginning and it has been a lifeline for me. I have never posted as I haven't had anything to add but it has kept my mental health on an even keel and helped me prep for the first time. Thanks to everyone on here I'm feeling safe at home. My youngest DD is in self isolation after a temp at the weekend and my DH will be working from home for the foreseeable from tomorrrow. I'm a teacher so no idea what's happening there.

Has @ofwarren left the thread as I found their updates really helpful.

Would love to know when the Cobra update will be as after being home for three solid days I'm finding it's driving me to distraction. It's the anticipation of waiting to see if something will happen like in the rest of the world that I'm finding so challenging at the moment.

We arent on the same path as we arent testing? Just a though.

No testing = less cases surely

@Justalittlebitfurther

Post COBRA news conference on bbc 1 on now

BJ on in 15 mins