The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

pineapple

Zerohedge is always good for a comment on major news
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/wuhan-mayor-offers-resign-coronavirus-death-toll-accelerates-supply-shortages
I was reading that some people just get mild symptoms and think it is a case of the sniffles - and all the while they are going round spreading the infection to others who may not be so lucky. I'm struggling to believe that not one single case has yet been identified in the UK! Goes off to buy more tinfoil... :rotfl:

DigForVictory

I'm awed they locals are building walls to discourage visitors.

It helped with the black death here though - although it didn't work for residents of Eyam, it did halt the spread.

PipneyJane

euronorris wrote: »

Whilst a facemask can limit the spread of infection a little, it isn't very effective as a) it's not air tight (there are usually gaps round the edges) and b) it doesn't cover your eyes. Someone coughing or sneezing near you, with your eyes uncovered, and you can still catch it. Hand washing is very important in this respect, as coming into contact with the germs on our hands and then rubbing our eyes is one of the most common ways we pick up viruses!


That said, it's better than nothing. If you can pair it with a pair of goggles, even better. And you'd have to replace them frequently. Fingers crossed it won't come to that, but the fact that the incubation period is anywhere between 2-14 days and you're contagious before the onset of symptoms doesn't bode well.


I've tried to get more info on discharge rates. Of the nearly 3,000 confirmed cases, so far only about 50 odd people have recovered and been discharged. So it seems, from that, that the virus can take a long time to recover from in the best case scenario.

< delurk >

Well said! As a former staff nurse in an infectious diseases hospital, I'd say washing your hands frequently - and well - is your best defence. Use soap and rub it in all over, while singing Happy Birthday to yourself, twice through at the regular speed. Don't neglect your nails or the backs of your hands. (Any soap will do.) Wash your hands before touching your face, so that you don't transfer virus particles from fomites (objects), to your eyes/nose/mouth.

Even the filter masks used in operating theatres have a limited life span - the filter lasts for a few hours - and they should never be re-used. You can buy masks with eye shields for protection against splashes of bodily fluids, but they'd be pretty useless against a virus particle that is floating in the air from someone's sneeze.

- Pip (Remember MASH, where the surgeons used to leave their masks dangling around their necks? That's a big no, no!)

< suppress lurk button >

mardatha

I used to be a nurse in an infectious diseases hospital too PipneyJane. Worked nights for many years

pineapple

As I need face masks for decorating anyway - and on the basis that it is one extra, albeit not foolproof, measure, I've gone ahead and ordered some. Google suggests that N95 or PP3 protection is best. Then you have valved or unvalved. Unvalved allegedly gives better two way protection, valved is for the protection of the wearer. I've gone for valved as they are better for my already compromised breathing.
Then you have the added complication of different shapes/brands. Just a heads up, the more reputable N95 masks are just about sold out everywhere though you might still be able to get your hands on a cheap Chinese knock off (oh the irony). The PP3s and PP2s are also flying off the shelves. Plus I've seen some silly prices, surprise surprise. So I would take a look (as of yesterday) if you do intend to get any.

euronorris

I ordered these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N95-Reusable-Anti-Air-Pollution-Face-Masks-with-Respirator-for-Dust-Smoke-Gas-UK/143512093644?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649


Already sold out! I only ordered this morning!!


I didn't realise that the filters need replacing, or how often. So will look into that.

pineapple

After all the advice on this, someone who returned from Wuhan and got ill with flu symptoms walked into his GP surgery. :mad: Then the GP sent him home :wall: He is now quarantined in hospital.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7937887/Coronavirus-fears-hit-Birmingham-facemask-wearing-patient-escorted-ambulance.html#comments

calicocat

Generally reading and not contributing person here.

Hopefully the uk will be lucky to avoid this in a real sense , I get worried about stuff I read in the papers, but how accurate is this for this country. I also get worried about them not being truthful about how bad it is to be fair in their country. I just don’t think we actually get the truth anyway, from either side to be honest .

They both have an interest in keeping things out of the news. These things do happen though, and luckily Britain is rarely effected by it as a rule.

We may have more to worry from impending governments in this country and abroad than any virus in the UK and the impact from all of that. I am maybe being sceptical due to the past , and hope I am.


I had a fab dream last night and can’t forget it. I was able to build an extension to the side of my house up to where the fence is now. It’s not a wide space, but was enough for upstairs to be a hidden wardrobe and hide out space, and down to be a store for all store things. Can’t get it out of my head, keep thinking of ways to make it happen I just don’t want to add to the mortgage as want it gone. It’s nice to dream though.

calicocat

pineapple wrote: »

After all the advice on this, someone who returned from Wuhan and got ill with flu symptoms walked into his GP surgery. :mad: Then the GP sent him home :wall: He is now quarantined in hospital.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7937887/Coronavirus-fears-hit-Birmingham-facemask-wearing-patient-escorted-ambulance.html#comments

I wouldn’t trust a GP with that At all. They are under staffed , have lost interest or the will to do the job, and due to both are stressed and miss now the simplest of things. They just haven’t got time to do anything. The reason A&E is packed out too, I know, I work for the nhs and I wouldn’t trust it.

It’s pretty silly to have come back from that country and go to a GP to be honest. You should be walking into A&E saying I potentially need to be quarantined or at least tested.
So stupidity on both parts.

mardatha

Agree with every word in both your posts CC. All a govt wants is the people to do what they are told. Sit tight, don't mill around on the streets, don't ask awkward questions etc. We never get told the full truth so we have to use the brains we were born with and find solutions ourselves - without going into tin hat mode. Sensible prepping is the way to go