Prepping for a Pandemic - Thread 16

[Sprayitall]

I don’t know why another thread hasn’t been created yet , so here you go. Now as we prep ourselves to the peak of this pandemic, let’s all face it together and appreciate how fragile our lives are and how we need each other to survive and flourish.

Closing down my business temporarily from Monday. Still paying my staff through the potential lockdown, luckily I can afford to do so. Deep breaths everyone!

Thanks walking. We tried to get him on a flight yesterday from Phuket to Singapore (then on to Dubai/Heathrow) but he would of had to check out of transit in Singapore, which would class him as an incoming visitor who would need to self isolate for 14 days. So he wasn't even allowed to check in in Phuket.
He has a ticket for Tuesday direct from Phuket to Dubai / Heathrow so as long as Dubai doesn't shut and our borders don't close..... he'll be ok 🤞
Dealing with him, plus my anxiety about corona makes me so so SO thankful I read these threads weeks ago and am consequently not worried about food (altho didn't factor in an extra 18yr old mouth to feed - he was supposed to be away til May!)
So thank you all

@Graphista, I think Zoflora is actual disinfectant but with various pungent perfumes added (they have a website with details of the composition). Not sure why there is so much love for it on MN as it’s “only” disinfectant (but obviously that’s a good thing in the current situation).

I LOVE Zolflora, especially the cinnamon ones in Winter. My DCs went on holiday once and gave me a present when they got back, they had found a limited edition Zoflora for me 

Feeling physically still awful, but mentally a bit brighter - I really want the comfort of a big hug though, I'm struggling saying good night to DH at the bedroom door and not having a hug and kiss graph he is an agency worker so there is some confusion whether he meets the threshold, no idea how we pay all our bills on SSP anyway! We have stuff to eBay though. Will worry about it when I'm well.

I am also so grateful we have enough food for now, I was thinking that I prepared for food shortages etc but didn't anticipate the reality of what it would be like being ill - my DCs and DH certainly aren't using all the baking stuff I planned for in emergencies and I miss cooking for the family! I also didn't realise how very scary it would feel knowing there was no safety net of easily available shopping when you can't leave the house for two weeks! When I'm well I will definitely be contacting local food banks/charities to see if there is anything I can do to help even if it's admin stuff at home.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and well. Apologies if I've missed a post but @YoursTunbridgeWells are you getting on OK?

Thank you @Weedsnseeds1 I'm quite excited about trying out some chickpea water recipes now. I love Yorkshire puddings.

I hope your son gets back ok @pasanda although I agree if he does get stuck he's likely better off out of the UK.

We seem to be alone in the world in our Not Doing Anything Beyond Advice (but nothing compulsory) approach. I looked at some headlines from the media elsewhere. They're all bemused and a shocked by what's (not) happening here. It's embarrassing.

Our letter from.school yesterday said both parents had to be key workers. Only dh is. But we meet criteria on ehcp and disability socail worker but no details on that.

I cant feel enthusiastic as eldest sons sons education has gone to shit. It feels pointless

Went to the shop this morning. Huge queue as they're limiting the number of people in at any one time. Only 5 allowed in chemist. Fully stocked except for hand soap. I heard several (all elderly) complaining about the measures. Everyone keeping their distance from each other. One woman kept queue jumped by going so close to people they stood back and let her through

Had a message from DS's useless TA. Wants to WhatsApp video chat him. He doesn't want to. I don't have WhatsApp set up for that and I've no intention of doing so. I will have to call her after lunch, but he won't speak to anyone in the phone.

@whatthefoxgoingon sorry your business is suffering. But thank you for treating your employees well. A shameful number of the biggest companies are behaving Absolutely appallingly, not paying employees, and even sacking and even in some cases making employees with tied accommodation homeless!

Fuck! Email from supermarket LOADS of the food I ordered unavailable and no subs wtf is going on?!

NO
Loo roll
Kitchen roll
Tissues
Hand wash
Disinfectant.

I kinda expected

No laundry detergent is a weird one but also

NO

Sliced Bread
Yogurt
Couscous
Veggie sausages

Cleaning products of any description!

Original order worth over £80 I’m now only receiving around £35 of goods.

I’m trying so hard not to panic and basically failing!!

So glad I sorted freezer!!

I’ll pop current loaf in freezer and eke it out.

Hit me with what I can buy fresh and freeze please? As fresh stuff seems to be least affected but of course people won’t buy shit loads of this due to short shelf life.

Grated cheese? I think can be frozen? If so, as it’s just me a pack usually lasts me 4 dishes/servings, would I need to defrost before using or can it be used straight from freezer? If not I have some food bags so can portion it out.

I can’t think!

I have some pastry things - various vegetarian pasties and “sausage” rolls which I’m hoping will be freezable.

@MrsFezziwig thanks. I’m not sure what the appeal is either. The scents? That it takes up less space as concentrated?

Hating not being able to get my usual products.

Anyone expert in logistics/psychology able to give a rough idea when either people will stop panic buying or manufacturers and retail will catch up to demand?

Stomach in knots!

graph he is an agency worker so there is some confusion whether he meets the threshold is it possible he is an employee but who he works for is dodging tax/NI by making out he’s self employed? Govt have said under current situation they’re planning to clamp down on things like this and ensure such EMPLOYEES get their statutory rights.

Not sure if this link might be helpful

https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/selfemployed-contractor

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Self-employment-and-benefits/Am-I-employed-or-self-employed

We are looking an absolute joke to the rest of the world at the moment. My friends and family that live overseas are shocked at the lack of a proper lockdown still and the pathetic “advice” Johnson is giving.

I'm really struggling at the moment, just a permanent knot of anxiety. Kids' school (where I work) is closing obviously, which is sad in itself as we love it, but then as a TA i am a key worker, expected to take my three to school while I help and try not to catch it. I fully appreciate the need to all muck in, but given the giant list of key workers, and the fact it only has to be one member of the family we are expecting shit loads of kids...but under chaotic conditions. So much for social distancing.

I'm hoping that the supermarket thing will calm down next week as panic buyers will run out of space and money. In the meantime I know I have plenty of food put by, I would just rather save it for in case any of us get sick and can't go out.
Spoke to my parents this morning and have convinced them to isolate. They hadn't thought about how if they catch it now, in 2 weeks time they could be in need of treatment and not get it if the health service is overwhelmed. The situation is now moving faster than any of us anticipated.
Ready for homeschool to start on Monday. It will keep me busy at least!

Graphista pretty much anything fresh can be frozen. There is no problem with food safety, its quality that is affected for some products.
Grated cheese, use straight from the freezer if e. g. using on something like cottage pie. It gets a bit crumbled than normal.
Things like tomatoes and strawberries you can just freeze whole, but will be mushy on defrost, so best used in cooked dishes, but perfectly safe.
Potatoes, cook first then freeze, as ready to use jackets or mash ( but stored in a paper bag in a cool dark place, will keep well anyway).
Even things like bagged salad you can chuck in a soup with other veg / meat, then freeze soup, I often do this if the whole bag won't be eaten fresh.

You can also freeze hummus ( beat with a little oil on defrost).
Anything that says "previously frozen do not refreeze" cook first then freeze. This is safe as you have performed a kill step for bacteria, reheat fully on defrost if intended to eat hot. Things like a pie can be eaten cold on defrost, if fully cooked before freezing.
Crumb odds and ends of bread - freeze then use to top gratins, coat fish cakes, make stuffing
Squeezed citrus fruit like lemons - freeze to use as flavoured ice cubes or make marmalade.
Cook and freeze large volumes of pulses - ready to use from freezer and saves on energy not cooking one batch at a time
Leafy veg - slice, blanch quickly in boiling water, put in cold water, drain / dry, then freeze.
Apples - either make puree and freeze, or peel and slice, dip eack slice in lightly salted gold water, freeze on a baking tray or simar, then bag up- slices will stay white and will be free flowing in the bag to use in pies etc

You can ever mash avocado with lemon juice and freeze

Cold water for apples, not gold!

Morning everyone. Hope you are all keeping well, sorry for those who are not!

Took my mum out for some supplies this morning as an elderly relative is moving in with her for a few weeks. The supermarket we went to was literally empty! No breads or bread products, no meat, obviously no tins! Absolutely crazy, I think the schools closure has sent everyone out today, even noticed more cars on the roads.

Totally agree with @IndecentFeminist, the exhaustive list of key works is bound to cause absolute chaos in schools next week. They will really need to tighten up on those with a parent who is able to stay at home, I think unfortunately some people will take advantage of this situation and use it as free childcare!

@weedsnseeds thanks for the freezing tips. I’m out of the habit of using the freezer I used to be much better informed feel like I’ve forgotten loads of useful info

Such useful knowledge not just for now but future as it’s virtually impossible to buy small amounts of fresh things.

Also since the supermarkets went bag free for deliveries I’m finding they also (well Sainsburys at least, Tesco don’t) they’re also bloody well sending loose fruit and veg bag free! I do not want to be eating apples or peppers that have been rolling around filthy totes exposed to god knows what! Why they can’t use paper bags I don’t know.

So if I can freeze I can start buying again in bags things like apples which I’ve really been missing.

I’ve been eating pretty much exact same meals every week for ages now because of the difficulties of getting small amounts of fresh. Can’t be good for me.

@preponderings I wouldn't like the idea of WhatsApp videos that sound a bit intrusive!

We have had lovely weather lately so been out in the garden getting it ready.
Also posted a note through elderly neighbours door (out it inside freezer bag so she could read it but didn't have to touch it) offering help but also even if she just wanted a chat over the fence then I'm right next door.
It has made me really emotional I just hate to think of her being all alone.

I found certain tools that are helpful for sorting the fruits and veggies .. I had to core and slice few apples to freeze and the round Apple corer slicer was very much helpful and saved lot of time I should say. Hope many will have it but I think for me this is the time to use all the funky gadgets i have hoarded all these years lol

Sorry this is a random point, about govt travel advice for travellers returning from highly infected countries/areas.
In searching for advice to give a friend who is returning from Spain, I figured that the UK govt would advise self-isolation as Spain has so many cases - but I was unable to find any relevant travel advice, even the advice about self-isolating if you return from Wuhan or the north of Italy. Then I found this - the govt have removed all that travel advice altogether, and it's now replaced by the blanket 'stay at home if you have symptoms' advice. So my friend will be returning from a highly infected country, with NO govt recommendation to self-isolate. I find this appalling behaviour from our govt.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

@QueSera It's probably because we too are a highly infected country. We're one of the countries others have warnings about.

Why can't our government at least sort out the food situation. Prioritising the elderly and other vulnerable people. The countries on lockdown have enough essentials from what I've heard. They've had several months to prepare.

Our lockdown restrictions have just tightened a little further. This is just Veneto, but Emilia Romagna did something similar yesterday and I think Lombardy will too:

All parks and cycle paths are closed.

Movements for exercise or the needs of the pet must be within 200 meters of home. People must carry an identity document in case of checks.

Only one member of a household can enter a shop at a time.

All food shops are closed on Sundays

Checks by the local police body will be intensified, those who move without valid reason (work, health, necessity) face fines and criminal offence charges.

@tryingtoprep - I'd say we had less warning of this blowing up than the UK. I've no idea why the UK is panic buying whilst Italian shops are absolutely fine. We have no limits here on what we can buy.

Thanks for the update @VenetoResident I hope you and your family are ok and your ds is on the mend?

Are they still taking rubbish away? Rumours on another thread (hopefully from tabloid scaremongering) it could be temporarily stopped in the UK.

I was wondering also, do the police have masks? I wouldn't want to arrest a possibly infected person.

Police have no protection at all. A relative works in them and I've been sending them extra hand gels.

Just heard from 18 year old dd who is finishing school today, they've all been in a mates car down to the local Greggs for a nosh up. No doubt they will all be hugging each other goodbye despite us asking them not to. DH is livid and saying I need to keep away from her for 14 days (at school in Cheltenham so last week loads of locals were at the races)