Planning for a second wave

[GreyishDays]

Anyone got any thoughts?

I’m trying to think of consumables that could be reusables instead and have got some dishcloths. Also making sure our stock levels are maintained of general stuff. And thinking about what is really annoying to run out of and not swappable.

I’m trying to think about cold weather entertainment. So if right now we’re all about garden toys and walking and cycling, is there anything that would be useful to have if there was a lockdown in cold weather? Craft stuff I guess. Yet more jigsaws.

Anyone else got any ideas? I’m reading the ‘lessons learnt’ thread.

Actually, just an idea, winter clothes and shoes.

A pulse oximeter

A decent stock of the things that were hard to source 10 weeks ago, flour, yeast (if you bake), toilet roll and pasta. I'm still struggling to get sweet corn so as soon as I can get some I will!

De-icer, salt for the drive if you use it, crafts, hot chocolate and marshmallows, things like popcorn for movie nights.

Decorating supplies or home repair equipment

Cat litter.
Pet food

Batteries, torch candles etc (sorry, very doom and gloomy!) Any kids washes etc you're used to, pampery stuff to make you feel human and board games and maybe some comics you can pull out for when people least expect it!! Love the hot chocolate idea!!

Oh and spare stationary!!

A spare thermometer - ours broke early in lockdown, and we ended up spending over £60 on a new, very fancy one because it was the only one we could find!

Depending on DC ages, a few new craft kits and toys that can be hidden away and brought out as surprises. I'm looking at things like candle making kits for my 8yo as she's getting bored of the "standard" crafty bits we always have.

I keep reading that this here now is the second wave - first wave was Oct/Nov/Dec last year

We could potentially end up with power outages in the winter - so with it getting dark early check you have a variety of other light sources: torches, batteries, oil lamps, candles, lighters & lamp oil - and head torches are VERY useful.
Ditto cooking - a camping stove, spare gas canisters., wood if you have a means of burning for heat/cooking.

Stock up again on paracetamol now it's back in most supermarkets.

Ok then Venus lets prepare for the third wave

Warmth and light, very good point, Pebble

I’ve always been well prepped food wise, but currently pregnant and found it very difficult to find sleepsuit/body multipacks in any size online, and can’t scout the supermarkets as I’m in the vulnerable category. Finally managed to get 0-3 months today but thinking I’ll get at least one of each pack up to 12 months then I’m not stuck in a similar situation. Infant first aid kit and essentials, aspirin for me as I have to take daily and struggled to get any at the start of March. Reusable nappies.

Kitchen roll was an essential for me! I got a bit weird about not ‘wasting’ it 😂

We're restocking our preps are the moment, long term stuff like tins and cleaning products mainly. Am trying to add to the treats cupboard gradually too, and things like cheap custard etc to make puddings.
Maybe DVDs or a streaming subscription?
Books, books and more books.
We have headtorches for camping but not sure about her batteries - make sure you have spares somewhere.
We are also trying to get any maintenance on the house for next winter done ASAP.

If you don’t have a gas hob, a camping one with plenty of spare gas. Foods you can easily cook On a gas hob.

Long life orange juice and vit D capsules

I wouldn’t mind an extra fridge/freezer for the garage, to do some batchcooking and store extra cheese etc and freeze fresh berries from this summer for smoothies.

@GreyishDays indeed! But I hope not.

Warm blankets
Thick socks
Hot water bottles
Paracetamol again
Lemsips
Fairy liq
Toilet roll
Books?

Im trying to keep food levels topped up .I’m still struggling to get yeast. I don’t want to pay the eyewatering amount on eBay etc Any tips? I make all my bread as my youngest has severe allergies and can’t eat many loaves of bread so being without yeast is a real problem for me.

Jammy check your local corner shops, that’s where I found ours. Industrious manager switched to holding loads of baking stock.

Make your own yeast? It’s easy but takes perseverance initially and confidence

@Jammygal do you have any eco refill shops nearby? We have a couple (one for charity, one not) and they both stock yeast. I actually found some in Sainsburys too the other day, although the shelves had been wiped clean of flour as usual!

I'm going to invest in some hairdressing scissors - both my DC now resemble Dulux dogs - and another thermos flask or two. I'm trying to use more veg box delivery companies to get on their 'current customers' list; I would really hate to be doing all this queuing in the winter. If anyone gardens, maybe try to stock up on seeds now that you'll be sowing winter/ spring, our local B&Q is packed all the time at the moment.

@Littlegoth could you buy a big clothing bundle via Facebook? (Might be easier once your baby arrives if you don't know what you're having!). I had to buy one for my DC recently as they were desperately
in need of more clothes and I couldn't get any anywhere; I collected them off a driveway all bagged up and stuck them straight in the washing machine. I mean I'm sure they were clean anyway but better to be sure!

Make sure you have enough tissues and, if you use them, cold remedies.

Apart from thata we re just rebuilding our preps. During our (hard) lockdown we weren't allowed to use supermarkets a long way from so hsd to use the smaller inner city expensive supermarkets. Now we can go further again we re gradually stocking up on cheaper non perishables and tins.

We had a five hour power cut this week, and it got us talking about what we might have needed had it happened in winter: batteries, a better lamp, a bigger torch. Other than that, we've been buying extras of anything on offer, including tomatoes, cleaning products, those batteries, some treats. I'm still struggling to get flour with the added complication of it needing to be gluten free. We just did a basics order for undies all round, leggings, trainers. And I have an order out for paint, undercoat, wood filler and associated brushes and tools. I'm doing the outside maintenance as best I can at the moment. I can move inside when it gets cooler.

I posted on the AIBU thread last night on the same topic as this and I am angry and a bit upset about the comments people are making, confusing panic buying and prepping, saying other countries didnt have bare supermarket shelves which isn't true. I'm probably being too sensitive. I have always maintained a well stocked kitchen but now have more storage space so I'm going to buy more in case of, well, anything really. DH has heart issues and we have a baby so I just think it is sensible. I think I will stick to this section from now on.

I've stocked up on everything that was hard to come by:
Toilet roll
Kitchen roll
Tissues
Medication
Pasta and rice
Hand soap
Hand sanitiser
Shower gel
Anti bacterial wipes and spray
Tins of beans and soups
Spices
Tin tomatoes and passata
Washing up liquid
Washing powder

I'm not so worried about food as I have a priority shopping but I'm only allowed 80 items per shop so I'd rather not use them on household items.

Oh and crisps, breakfast bars and biscuits.