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.

I’ve worked myself up in such a tizz about it over the last few days and really winding myself up. My overriding concern is that I just don’t have enough money to prepare the way that I would like.

I think my approach now should be just shopping to my meal plan like pre lockdown in order to keep costs down, because actually, although I need to do a proper stock take, I think I’ve got at least a fortnight in terms of food supply, apart from ‘treats.’

I’m going to start back up completing surveys and pump the money from that into my amazon account, and use it for bulk buying sweets etc.

I’m going to keep an eye on sales for clothes for DS as he will need a decent coat.

I’m going to encourage DP to fill his prescriptions regularly and build up a stash because I’m worried about Brexit and medicine shortages.

I’m also going to try and supplement my income somehow - I’ve got an Etsy shop for my knitting but I never pay attention to it but maybe hats and gloves will be in more demand this year

I’m going to make sure I buy stuff for DS in terms of schooling as Wales have all but come out and said it will be part time for a long time, and I foresee a winter of part time school but also lots of being sent home and isolating for every cough and sniffle, especially given they’ve just added a runny nose to the list of symptoms!

I don’t really know what else to do - we are slowly doing up our ‘garden’ and a friend is sending me winter seeds to sow, so at least that’s a decent hobby!

It can be worth looking at sites like Approved Food or Poundshop.com for bargain basics when stocking up.

Thanks for this thread, but I'd like to know if anyone has thought about preparedness on a psychological level?

We've had the benefit of amazing weather, so I think a soggy winter will be much, much harder to deal with. So winter clothing in the right size will be on the list!

So far I'm keeping well within rules, but making the most of travel restrictions easing, arranging to meet family at a distance over the summer, getting the kids to experience new appropriate outdoor hobbies. Trying to make their worlds as big as I can before a very testing winter.

Reading about potential localised lockdowns has got me thinking about being better prepped than last time. Hunting back through this thread for inspiration

I know it's all very individual, but it's having a lockdown project which has saved my sanity Timeforabiscuit. I love restoration projects on antique and vintage items.
I found a 1950s dolls house in terrible condition at a car boot pre-lockdown for a fiver. I am gradually restoring it to its former glory! It's a long job of many facets and one I don't think I shall reach the end of for a long time... there's always something else to add to it. I'm loving it - it has me quite pre-occupied... from the basics of sanding and filling and spray painting - to choosing what each room will look like and finding bargain papers etc on fleebay!
I'm shielding - not left the house for 15 weeks now! We're lucky because we have a very big garden - but it's the dolls house which is saving my sanity!!! Also a summer or winter project! I'm not even a fan of doll's houses generally!!

I think mental preparedness is very important. Food prepping helps me psychologically up to the point when I either can't get out or don't want to venture out, and then that soothing activity of buying a few extra tins, rotating, meal planning etc isn't as easy to do and I need something else which is calming and immersive to do during the winter especially if there is a second wave and/or further local lockdowns. I have got back into knitting which is great and I find it really helps my mental health, and I have some nice books on the 'to read' shelf for the darker months, but I think I could do with one more interesting activity for me and DC to get heavily into. Board games have been great in this house, the modern board games scene which I got into a few years ago has some fantastic games which blow stuff like Cluedo and Monopoly out of the water. There are so many great games out there.
And I do have some home dec projects I could do... But I'd like something small and not too difficult. Maybe sweary cross stitch Any ideas welcome.

Can't buy yeast? Surely a real prepper would know how to make their own?

@RhubarbTea could you tell me more about the modern board games you recommend, and any calming crafts that have worked for you? I would really like to stock up on some calming winter activities too. Not a knitter myself but like hand sewing and we enjoy art type stuff.

@TiddleTaddleTat oh gosh there are loads of newer board games, it depends a bit how many people you have to play and what sorts of things they enjoy. But in our house we have enjoyed Carcassonne, Splendor, Codenames, Hey That's My Fish, Dobble, Just One, Citadels, Sushi Go, New York 1901 and The Resistance: Avalon. There are loads more I want to try though. :)

Calming crafts wise I am mostly into knitting really, and sometimes watercolour painting when I want to mindlessly paint my feelings. I'm definitely on the lookout for a few more soothing crafts to add into the mid though.

@RhubarbTea thanks, I'll check those games out. Have just ordered some watercolour paints and papers, love using those

Out of interest if there was a second wave.
Would we be furloughed again from pubs, restaurants etc.? And will there be another lockdown ?

Good idea for a long term project, Lego builds, paint by numbers, small craft projects have all been completed - but I need something meatier!

I've gone back to work but am preparing myself for another three or four months in winter of being t home.

I'm currently stocking up on the tings that were difficult to get last time.

Plus there's the end of transition and a No Deal Brexit to possibly look forward to, so may as well be prepared.

Thank you for this thread, it seems a warm friendly place.

I hope to god there isn’t a second wave but will prep for it as I did earlier this year as soon as the news acme out from China, I had a gut feeling it would head our way so by lockdown in March I was well stocked.

I have ordered a chest fridge freezer.
Another games console for the teens, have had bickering.
I found bread mixes where you add water have been great, thought the end result might be vile but were delicious.
Large stock of dog food, there were shortages in my area.
Have booked an opticians appointment, I’m sure I need glasses.
Routine dental checks booked for myself and DC. It’s worth going private, our dentist is starting routine checks in August.
As soon as I can I will book a private medical for myself, any issues can be dealt with including starting HRT.
Christmas presents, cards and wrapping paper.
Warm fleecy tracksuits and socks for me and the kids.
Exercise bike and treadmill to go in the garage.

If I had a baby or toddler I would stock up on nappies, wipes and formula.

I'm going to spend some time ebaying stuff while stuck at home. I used to do a bit but had stopped as I'm shielding and didn't want to go to the Post Office - but have since discovered that Hermes (probably amongst other couriers) will run a pick-up from home service - so I could have them come and collect parcels once or twice a week.
A great way to de-clutter and up income at the same time as I am still furloughed.

Great thread. Any recommendations for good places to buy large quantities of cat food that aren't also very highly priced? Pet food generally was quite difficult to come by around here earlier in the year, so it doesn't look like it'll get better before I suspect it'll get worse, so stocking up through grocery delivery doesn't seem a viable option.

We tend to get the own-brand dried kibble from Sainsbury's, and either Sainsbury's again or Felix for wet food, but the bags are quite small and we've had trouble with poorly substituted deliveries. We've received food aimed at older cats and it was that or nothing - but she didn't quite seem her usual bouncy self and I'd rather not put her through that again.

Mom have you tried places like Home Bargains if you can get out and about? I used to order DCat food from Zoopla back in the day but I’m not sure how the prices compare. Always worth giving amazon a go too

AlohaMolly I think you mean Zooplus?

(I now have a bizarre image of cats running some undercover racket using Zoopla as a way of laundering money)

indefinitely mean zooplus!!

Hi we are mid winter here - but very luckily c19 has been controlled where we are but prior to this I prepped for a covid winter.
For the kids I ordered a heap of decent activity books - ( dr Karl science ones, Eddie woo maths, blank comic books for them to create). Board games - ticket to ride (a few versions) atomic kittens, dobble, Tetris speed. My kids are obsessed with mosaic sticker books ( I actually enjoy these too) and they take a while to do too.
Family Spotify account has been brilliant too for music, stories and audiobooks/podcasts. Pom Pom maker and finger stitch & lots of cheap acrylic yarn has been good too.
Personally I am not crafty but love art/art history and have been working through art books by Marion Deuchars' (Book of Great Artists). Doing a bit of the techniques ( sometimes with the kids) And watching YouTube videos on each artist and vid on previous exhibitions. It's been really lovely ( esp with a glass of wine on a cold arvo) have been working through a artist a week or two. Sometimes I google podcasts about the artist too.
Also using every digital resource our library offers - lots of magazines online read for free/kids coding clubs/photography groups.
I also bought (online) everyone wool house socks, extra trackies, undies and the kids new asics runners each in a size up as I was worried with supply chain crunches.

Makes me think of that cravendale advert about cats with thumbs. Property ladder is the next reasonable place... thanks!

We've written up our list of "what was hard to come by" so now it's just to the task of getting everything in. Lots of tins. Discovered our milkman will deliver compost!? So that's news to me. I've seen the little truck pootle about in the morning so I'm reassured they're actually delivering now.

What we don't have, and I think we could do with, is some sort of reckoner of "Xg of oats makes Y portions of porridge" or similar. At the moment we're going by eye but that doesn't feel particularly reassuring! All I know for sure is that snacks last a lot longer if I hide them from DP who is prone to getting snacks out every single evening. We've agreed it is far more exciting if I squirrel them away and occasionally appear with biscuits when it's least expected!

@Momniscient have you tried Wilkos for catfood? They have Crave on special offer at the moment and their own brand stuff is fine too, or at least our fussy cat will eat it

Aaargghhh, I agree about the snacks for DP. Mine snaffles the DC's if we don't have anything immediately to hand for him! Poor DS1 eats a limited range of food as it is and it gives me the absolute rage when DP shovels in his snacks without a second thought...

Libraries are brilliant online aren't they @FruitTingleFrizzante? My only complaint (apart from wanting to actually visit again, of course!) is that their app is a lot busier at the moment, obviously many more people are using it than before!

It we're talking winter winter, then maybe a sledge? Not sure if we'll get snow, but will be fun/free for DD's to play in park.

We only have a small freezer, but frozen berries have been a godsend for home made sorbet, or poached fruit. Might get some frozen cream if they still make it. I'll try to stock up on stuff to make curries as a treat. It's just the same stuff all the time that makes it such a drag. I might have a proper long walk around Waitrose frozen aisle and see what presents itself. Some nice quality meat pies would be amazing!

As there are 3 of us at home I might think about getting another sofa or arm chair so we can be comfortable in different rooms of the house. at the moment we have lounge and dining room but if I get a cosy chair for the dining room and some curtains that can be a room we can go to if we want to be on our own. DH and I have found it a real strain to be together for so long, even though we do get on very well. It just feels too much sometimes. So yes, I will try to set up the house a bit better so we can have somewhere to get away to.

Just a quick pop in. If anyone is struggling to get yeast, ask at the bakery counter in the supermarkets. There is a very old law which states a bakery has to give you yeast if you ask for it. I got three 50g bags of fresh yeast from Morrisons for 20p a pack. Yeast freezes so you can separate it into the amounts you use and freeze. I am currently experimenting with fresh yeast in a mason jar full of water on a warm windowsill. I add a pinch of sugar most days and occasionally some flour. When baking I pour 300ml of yeasty water into a jug and add some sugar, then top up the original mason jar. Sometimes I add a little dried yeast to the mixture and other times if its bubbling away I just use the yeasty water alone. SO far it has had mixed results, one day it failed to rise and I added more flour and dried yeast to save the dough. Mostly it has proven a success and I have had nice fluffy bread.