The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

[Deleted User]

Not seen a mask anywhere hereabouts either GQ or in the city but I suspect that may change if we get cases confirmed in the area in general.  I am heading to the city today to get cough medicines, throat sweets, vitamin supplements and ibuprofen for fever treatment but they're things I have in at this time of year for winter sniffles and snuffles anyway. We are however going to get a gravity fed water filter to use with water from the brook just outside at the front should there be the need to create our own safe drinking water.  It's spring fed but about 4 miles away and picks up colour as it tumbles past us.  I am also going to pick up seasonings, flavourings and stock cubes to enable us to have a varied flavoured diet even if it is made from the same basic ingredients, to stop 'food boredom'.  I do believe those 'interesting times' of the old Chinese proverb may be upon us!

Nargleblast

Our best defence is to stay away from other people, particularly those with obvious symptoms of cold/flu type illnesses. Obviously not always possible but being aware of personal safety when out and about is vital. We have to assume that not everyone with any signs of illness will have the common sense to avoid mixing with other people where possible.

Of course, we need to keep a cool head and not panic, I read figures today from a newspaper that's stated 6536 people in the U.K. have been tested for Covid19, and out of that number only 9 were found positive. If you add on the 4 who were tested on the cruise ship in Japan, who are now in the U.K., that makes 13 which works out at 0.19889 percent of those tested. We also have to remember most normal healthy folk will catch it, go through it and survive, hopefully retaining antibodies against it if they should come into contact with it again. Those with comorbidities or compromised immune systems are the ones most at risk.

Having said that, I am not being complacent. I am sure things will get worse before they get better, they often do, so keeping food and other household supplies topped up makes perfect sense.

welshbabe88

Thing is most people have snuffles these days so it will get hard to know who to avoid - plus we have someone with chest problems so more susceptible. But I don't want to turn into a hermit before I have to - don't get out much anyway - just a few meet ups in our village - but people travel so much these days - one is off in India now and another going on a cruise!
I've ordered 20 masks from ebay to get in before the price goes up or they get scarce - hopefully never needed! Plus some goggles!
Having a pretty normal Tesco delivery today and another tomorrow with some extra tins and a few bottles of water, so we can survive for a while anyway if things get chaotic.
I've always enjoyed reading about the great plague and how Eyam quarantined itself and other books about the Black Death etc but don't fancy actually living through one!!

[Deleted User]

Most conversations I've overheard are fairly stoic and I'm not aware of even a note of panic anywhere, caution yes and awareness which surprised me but panic? no.  It makes much more sense to take some responsibility for your own welfare in a situation like this that is 'potentially' going to disrupt everyday life in the form of a few extras got in in all areas you may need them so that IF you do need to self isolate you've got what you need and can cope rather than thinking 'it will never happen and if it does someone will sort life out for us'.  Preparedness is so much better than lack.

unrecordings

We've still got our brexit reserves, plus my collection of homemade liqueurs that were inadvisable to drink while on chemo. The Hallamshire here has a good infectious disease unit that's taking on the repatriated peeps that would have gone to The Wirral and there's a big Chinese student community here so the local rag purveyor of clickbait is making a meal of it. If lockdown comes then the gate at the bottom of the garden is where we can be re-supplied Eyam style (I nearly bought a house there once). As for germs, since the tumour/chemo took hold I've generally been very rude to anyone who dares to cough/sneeze in the vicinity, and the diseased are banned from my home

euronorris

It's payday tomorrow, so will be stocking up on some more bits. Lots of tissues and over the counter meds. DD and DH are mostly over their colds, but I am in the thick of mine and we have got through an awful lot of tissues in our house! lol. I got more paracetemol and ibuprofen yesterday, got more ibuprofen and cold meds this morning, and will pop to another supermarket at lunchtime, to get a bit more.

No signs of masks or panic here, but definitely an awareness. Just want/need to have enough in for ourselves should we need it. We already got rice and masks and goggles, and pasta. Just some extra tinned stuff required really.

Jazee

We are stocked up ready for any quarantine.  I'm out again in town today so will buy  more meds.  DH has been given instructions on what to do if people start panic buying, but I don't have details.  No panic here, can't get the offspring to prep though.  It will be what it will be.  I noticed no one wanted to be near the discarded tissue in the doctor's surgery though.  They have left up their English version of the corona virus poster but have taken down the Chinese one.  I noticed people wearing masks in the city on 26 January just before the two cases in said city.  Have also seen mask wearing in local villages now too.

firebubble

Hello all
I came here for Coronavirus prep ideas, as I knew you'd all be ready! Is there a checklist, or a post which sets out what the basics of a prep would be? Apologies if this is asked a lot, I'm wading through the posts but wondered if there was a quicker way to get the key info to start with

DigForVictory

We're all individual - one persons list would be missing sections on pets, another on children, another on immuno-compromised, and another on those with relatives who depend on them. I'd suggest running a very careful eye over what you already have, then drawing up a fantasy fortnight's meal planning & all you would need for that above what you have & what you'd used canned frozen etc when fresh isn't available. Plus a cough & cold & fever OTC shopping list. Then gradually acquiring that list as few of us can afford a fortnights shopping in a single swoop. Start with a couple of days extra peace of mind so if you get snowed or flooded in, you're fine?

Nargleblast

Hello firebubble. You just need to ensure you are well stocked up with your usual tinned, packet and frozen foods, plus household cleaning materials and things like paracetamol and tissues etc, just in case you have to stay at home for any length of time and can't get out to go shopping. I think the advice remains that if you have been travelling abroad within the past fortnight, particularly to any of the areas seriously affected by the virus, or if you have come into contact with someone who has been travelling recently, then stay at home and ring NHS111 for advice (or check online). If you get symptoms such as a fever or dry cough, definitely self isolate until told otherwise. 

Masks can help when out and about but they are not foolproof. The simple facemasks you see are not much use, you really need full face protection, or at least a proper respirator mask and goggles. Droplets from a cough or sneeze can get everywhere very quickly, and we all touch our faces, especially eyes and mouth, without thinking about it, thereby introducing germs inti our bodies. This is why there is an emphasis on handwashing frequently. For out and about you can get alcohol hand gel, but that's more for bacteria, it's not as effective on viruses as good old soap and water. Using tissues and maybe disposable gloves will help, but you have to dispose of them thoughtfully so as not to pose a risk to others.

In a nutshell then, usual food, cleaning, medical supplies for when you can't get out. Avoid public areas when possible, if not be aware of anyone who seems to have sniffles or a cough and avoid them. If you can't, at least keep your distance. Wash hands after any contact with said human beings, or surfaces touched by others eg door handles, shopping trolleys, lift buttons etc. Try not to touch your face if you can help it. Call NHS111 or go online for advice if feeling under the weather. 

I am sure this virus will come and go like others have in the past, but any preps useful to you and your family will not go to waste.