I’ve Stopped Prepping

For some reason, I just don't feel the urgency anymore. By and large, recent news has shown that while, yes, the virus is spreading among birds… there does not readily appear any large rash of B2H cases or the dreaded H2H going on. A 100 people dead in the 9 years since this has been around is really nothing.

I had been rapidly prepping up until two weeks ago. Now, I’m just not as worried. Perhaps I'm being foolhardy. Dunno. Anyone else feel similarly? I’m concerned that perhaps I bought into the hype a bit too much. Not that there is any downside about having an emergency prep supply of course — heck, it could be a hurricane, earthquake or any of a number of things. I’m just starting to have some doubts that it is actually going to be Bird Flu. Regardless, this site has been absolutely awesome in feedback and suggestions for emergency prepping, and I'm awfully glad for that. 

Excellent points. Thanks. 

Otskot....no one knows where this is going....there are "best case scenarios, and worse case scenarios".  Everyone has a "comfort zone" in "what" kind of prepping and "how" much prepping is needed.   There is no exact formula.  I'm one that prefers to have more then less and I'm one to try to  be "ahead of the game".  That I think is part of my personality trait...it's what works for me.....I wouldn't be comfortable "waiting" until more is known...again, that's me...my own "comfort zone".  The way I see it, all these preps are "not wasted money"....If we see a  best case scenario, I will use it up slowly over time ....and since I live in south Florida I'm way ahead of the game in hurricane preps.  All I can say is that at least you have some preps...please don't stop coming to be informed...and perhaps you might reconsider by continuing to prep  more slowly....whatever you choose, I wish you good luck!

I can't stop. It's habit forming.

While I have a tendancy to agree with you, it is a common phenomena for people to go through stages of "fanaticism" when it comes to preps. When you first become aware of an impending incident, the immediate urge is for "prep overload" then, as your awareness continues to develop, and you see the level of preps that you have accumulated, you have a tendancy to slow down. Again, this is a natural function. But, please keep in mind, that it is also prevelent for "us" to feel that what "we" know, everyone knows. And as such, it is part of our group psyche to not appear to be "over the top". Reality is, most of the "sheeple" are totally unaware of the potential and have not even laid in an extra can of Spam (let alone tuna and powdered milk).  Iam NOT fearful of the "bug". I AM fearful of the knee-jerk reactions of the sheeple population, fed by a mainstream-media that will view the first reported case of high lethality H5N1 (remember: "If it bleeds, it leads" is the media mantra) as "the end of the world as we know it". And, although H5N1 still rate high on my radar, so does Iran (Hotieh), EMP weapons, Dirty bombs, civil unrest, and a whole multitude of other concerns that make my preps seem a more prudent course of action. It is not my place to say one way or another if your preps are good or bad, but, speaking for myself, there is a whole lot of stuff going on out there, H5N1 notwithstanding, that make preps, even minimal preps a wise action in todays times.

Ha!   (More Ammo required).

Don't forget that your preps are for many possibilities, not avian flu alone. Here in Denver, a killer storm is a statistical probability and my family is now prepared.

I am mostly done with our preps. I will do the final wave when there are reports of H2H anywhere in the world. I think that waiting for H2H in the US might be cutting it too close for me.

For those who are "prepped out", how long have you been diligently prepping? I have only started prepping and every time I make a purchase of non- essential items I think- "This  $$ could have paid for xx pounds of dry beans, deodorant or toilet paper.  Am I making a bad choice?"  Its a weird feeling.

Jaxmax and others.  "What is the CDC website for my town" Do all your US towns have wevbsites that show health statistics or is this a bf thing?  Nothing of the kind in the UK, I wish there was.

Hi ALL-
I go through phases but then I just read how fast the H5N1 virus has bombarded half the world in such a short amount of time. Yes- it has been around for a lot of years with only 100+ deaths but it's just the speed now in the last, say, 6 months that has me concerned. Everyday I look for evidence to point me in the opposite direction of this going H2H and it's just not happening for me. I think I am done prepping but I am just not. I agree that if anything, this has been a total lifestyle change for me. I now will be "shopping" out of my basement and when I do go to the store, it'll be to replace the basement stash. Great ideas keep coming out of this forum and I agree that the best ongoing prep is to keep reading and discussing ideas here!

I've slowed down on my prepping too but I still think it's trying to mutate.  I think this news that it's currently found deep within the respiratory tract doesn't mean much because the nature of a virus is to become communicable and I think it'll eventually do that.  Right now I think it's taking "baby steps" but as soon as it finds the right DNA to steal, those baby steps will turn into running all over the place. I'm hoping we've got at least until the Fall...but never would be better.

I started to slow my prepping down a couple of weeks ago.  Then the news picked up and the virus started spreading again.  Then a couple of days ago my horoscope said (the last couple of lines) "Remember the story about the ant and the grasshopper.  Now is the time to store food for the future."  coincidental and creepy. 

I ramped up to get the food in, and now I am taking a more relaxed and methodical approach to getting medical supplies, and other household necessities.

I'm still full speed ahead with plans to make my home energy independent, and my land more able to produce food. That's stuff I have always wanted to do, and BF (and all of the above mentioned scenarios) are just motivators to get it done sooner rather than later.

It is easy to be lulled into inaction. Slow news, good news, whatever, and you let your guard down a little. I suspect if things are quieter for a bit, it will pick up when BF inevitably arrives here in birds.

If you just need to compulsively worry, go have a read at

life after the oil crash

Here's the first paragraph just to get you excited:

Dear Reader,

Civilization as we know it is coming to an end soon. This is not the wacky proclamation of a doomsday cult, apocalypse bible prophecy sect, or conspiracy theory society. Rather, it is the scientific conclusion of the best paid, most widely-respected geologists, physicists, and investment bankers in the world. These are rational, professional, conservative individuals who are absolutely terrified by a phenomenon known as global "Peak Oil."



You'll find huge forums like this one dedicated to peak oil, with many of the same concerns.

Sorry if that didn't help!
    

I love prepping because I have learned so much practical information from everyone's generous posts, and interesting ways to be more independent. The huge hardware store is no longer a remote alien planet. I have more of a can do attitude now - why just last week I even fixed the toilet - me! I even got a book on plumbing so that I can have a reference manual when I need it in the future... Amazing grace. Today I was on the horn with a solar power guy trying to figure out how to get a little set-up. Next I will study the hydroponic gardening style. I will learn how to can produce, too. Just knowing that I am taking the best care of myself that I can is empowering. My intent is strength - and I thank you all for your help. 

Hi Arkan, Meet my newest friend, Benelli, a real good talker.

  Really?!   I JUST got hold of a nice used Benelli M1 practical model here this past week!  A great gun, and a very entertaining piece of work.  I believe we shall have a long and enjoyable acquaintance!

Stopping or slowing is not a fault. It means you are very much prepared anyway. Prepping was always going to be exponential and then flattening off like all those graphs we got in school or college.

Recycling of preps is a also a good idea, provided you have something you want to eat/use now within you stores. My rule 10% out now, 10% back in next week. That way you stay 90% prepared.

HD

I sure understand the burn out on prepping thing. I go through those kind of phases too. I've also seen -- in terms of BF news -- quiet periods and then just as I think I've been nuts to do all this, things heat up again. I would guess that this will heat up again too and we will be very, very glad we've been prepping. -- Libby

Given the recent news, if you have "paused" in preparation for the "Event" you may want to rethink that.

I think Thomas is referring to the increasing reports of infections in various parts of the world. Plus reading between the lines of what the government is saying or not saying. Anyway, I agree with Thomas that just because there is a seeming lull in news (with the emphasis on "seeming") we shouldn't think we're out of the woods. To the contrary, I have ramped up my prepping activity in the last week because I just don't like the general slant of the news. -- Libby

Deej -- If you haven't seen it already, here is the news link to an interview with Michael Osterholm.