The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

[Deleted User]

I don't know about prepping for Coronavirus a more immediate threat is the wretched weather isn't it? we'd planned to go out today and to meet the family on Thursday at the arboretum BUT with yet another stormy session pending in the very near future and with the flooding in Herefordshire/Worcestershire we find that the diverted traffic is clogging up the road into the city and if it's the same as last time's diversion it was taking more than 4 hours to drive 10 miles and the same on the way back. I shall have to rely on local shops for our needs,which mostly they can meet BUT pay local prices which are much greater than those of Aldi and Lidl when I can reach them.  No matter, needs must, the brook across the road is being compliant and staying (as yet) in it's course and it's currently NOT raining outside so things could be worse!

[Deleted User]

An interesting trip into the village, I was in the pharmacy when the lady from the greengrocers next door dashed in and said 'there's just been an explosion outside our shop!' and there was smoke and a horrible electrical burning small that came through the door with her and when we checked, the electrical access cap in the pavement outside the shop was at an angle and the smoke was billowing out.  We've had so much water down over the past few days I suspect it's managed to touch the cables underneath and they've shorted out.  It doesn't take too much imagination to see that happening in a major part of the grid either does it? prepping makes more and more sense these days for an increasing number of reasons.  I've solar lighting charged and ready to go, a camping stove ready to go, stored water that I'll renew this afternoon and the woodstove laid ready to light all of which are giving me a feeling of relief just now!

DigForVictory

Dear heavens Mrs LW, are You All Right?
Has a brew been made and allowed to reach all essential parts before renewing water etc? Assorted dishes defrosting, cooking, shoved in the haybag? Consideration given to nearest hot shower without needing to avoid  floods?

Zentimes

Goodness that sounds frightening for all involved, Mrs LW!!

It's absolutely tipping it down here (I'm in Worcestershire - fortunately we don't flood, live on high ground) from the pics on the news and what we've seen ourselves in previous years, it's devastating for all involved. My neighbour can't get to work due to floods on various roads.

Also glad to hear your self-imposed quarantine is over, Airthrey. It's interesting to hear how your stocks held up and the psychological impact. The latter is far harder to prepare for.

[Deleted User]

Oh I'm fine thanks, it was exciting rather than scary and they're still peering down holes in the pavement looking perplexed all round that area, we went for an afternoon walk and saw several orange jacketed people standing beside open bits of pavement with phones, it's definitely NOT boring living here.   Our power is fine at the moment but we're all prepared just in case it becomes less so over the next few days.  The rain has started again and we're due a heavy fairly persistent period this evening which will 'up' the level of the brook but they put in flood limitation defence works up higher in the valley by digging a basin and making an earthwork dam to hold the flow back and they increased the size of the culvert pipe from it into the brook bed and it seems to be working very well.  Joined up thinking which is a rarity isn't it? Brew though has ritually been made because of time of day and second cup is awaited while I type with all it's soothing properties and deliciousness in fact it's just arrived...thanks HWK!

euronorris

Glad to hear you're OK MrsLW, although saddened to hear about all the nearby floods. I really hope it eases for you soon, and the next onslaught of rain is less than predicted!! I saw images shared on Facebook of Drayton Manor theme park (close to my where my brother lives), and the whole place is under water. They have had to close for the rest of the month to not just clear the water, but assess and repair the damage. I know many people are in the same position right now, it just shocked me because I never imagined it happening to a theme park (for some reason).

Any tips on dealing with a troublesome cough for a toddler. DD (3) has yet another cold, and this time accompanied with a particularly nasty cough and a snotty nose. Not very bothersome at all during the day, but very much so at night. Last night there was a solid hour and a half of coughing, and poor mite vomited part way through (not a sick bug, just all the coughing). Finally managed to fall asleep propped up against me in her bed. Things we have tried so far:

- Propping up (only worked when I was involved, otherwise she just continued coughing)
- Menthol drops on bedclothes and pyjamas
- Toddler cough syrup - it's only glycerin really and did f all
- Calpol for the discomfort/sore throat, but obviously doesn't help with cough

She is exhausted, bless her. I'm fairly confident it's a virus, as she doesn't have a temp (had one for a brief time on Sunday, but normal since), so I think it's just a case of riding it out. Maybe I should take her to see the GP, but am very concious of wasting their time if it's just a virus and they can't help alleviate the symptoms. Was going to call 111 last night, if me being in the bed with her didn't help, but thankfully she then dropped off. Maybe I should ask a pharmacist, see what they say.

herlig

Your toddler's body is doing what it needs to do to expel excess mucus and while it's bothersome it's a good sign if the cough is coming from the chest cavity. 

Honey could be used to suppress the cough. There have been studies that saw infant night coughing improve after taking honey for infections of the chest. Obviously this isn't medical advice and seek pharmacist input as well keeping in mind your toddler's age and infant botulism risks. 

The coughing, as your toddler has a runny nose, could be caused by post nasal drip. Again, not medical advice but when my family suffer from an upper respiratory infection they rinse their nasal passages with salt water. Sterimar is a brand. It is possible to do it with seasalt and a medicine syringe. A pharmacist can guide you. This scenario is when propping the head up works best as it prevents excess mucus from the nasal cavity slipping down to the throat and therefore causing a cough.

Let's hope that your toddler improves some through the day and has an easier night. I hope to help. 

euronorris

Thanks for the suggestions Herlig, will keep them in mind. Won't be hard to get her to have honey (she loves the stuff), buy I know any kind of nasal spray will do down like a lead balloon lol.

I saw the pharamacist, and he has suggested liquid piriton. Apparantly the post nasal drip itches the back of the throat, causing the tickly cough, so antihistamine helps with that. It also makes them a little drowsy, which can help them get off to sleep easier/quicker. So, we shall be trying that tonight.

With regards to GP, unless she develops any additional symptoms/gets super bad, the pharmacist tells me they won't see her until it's been 2 weeks.

baggins11

I would also recommend Sterimar euronorris.  I am prone to sinus infections after a cold but if I use Sterimar early enough I can prevent them.  It does feel a bit strange to use though squirting something up your nose and I could imagine it would be interesting trying to get a toddler to use it!

I hope everyone is keeping safe in the floods.  We are in Herefordshire although fortunately on higher ground so not at risk ourselves.  As it is half term I had planned a couple of trips into Hereford which I have had to cancel, but we are lucky all things considered.

euronorris

So far, so good for the antihistamine solution. Coughing started as soon as she lay down last night, and so far it's been 20 minutes and no coughing. Fingers crossed it lasts the night!

Very lucky re flooding here. Very lucky.