February Prepping 2020

Just tried to order some extra dried type food, canned foods on walmart.com - out of stock now on many items. Didn't see that yesterday.

I can't tell you what to do, that is your choice.

Generally, once there is a quarrantine ordered, the shops empty like lightening. The local authority will attempt to cover the shortfall, but could fail - especially in the short term.

In your shoes, I would definitely have a few days or weeks stored up - depending on my finances. Try to stick to the things you know you will eat. That way you can recoup your expences from the grocery bills you don't have. The power is likely to stay on for most of the time, but you could have a power cut or two in the short term, So a box of candles and a primus stove with a can or two is a good idea. Perhaps a hot water bottle if your folks feel the cold. Finally, some extra handwash and a high quality hand sanitiser (60% alcohol or more! Lower amounts do not work.).

Try, if possible, to get a bit ahead with the medicines you know you will need - stuff you and yours take regularily. Remember pet food.

That is about it. The maniac preppers among us (including me) have water, antibiotics, oxygen, gloves, smocks, boots, goggles and masks too. But that is probably because we are obsessive, not because they are going to be needed. Masks are specialist both in choice (n95 or ffp3) and use. If you do get one, learn how to put it on, test it and take it off, otherwise it is useless. Surgical masks protect other people, not you. Masks are also pointless without goggles; swim goggles are cheapest among the ones that seal off your eyes. Learn how to take gloves off too if you plan on using them.

You do not need a bug out bag for this type of problem. The best strategy in an outbreak is to SIP (Shelter In Place). The people that run encounter more other people whilst runnning; thereby both increasing their own risk and that of their community.

Learn also how to wash your hands fully and practice not touching your face. - The surgical mask does work for that.

Finally stay calm. The chances are good that you and yours will be fine. The chances simply increase if you prep a bit.

AndyP wrote: Thanks, I talked to my dad and I was surprised that he agreed we should stock up. I guess tomorrow I will go and buy a lot of food.

   Welcome to the forum Andy

   Make a list before you go and do a simple calculation of how far it will get you, as well as diversity. (make mental meals from what you have on your list)

   It helps a lot, rather than just go and fill the cart, get home and realize "darn, i bought all this tuna, and no mayo,crackers or bread"

   Also it helps to check for their specials online before you go, I snapped up a closeout of 30-40 mini cans of BBq, smoked, and buffalo seasoned Vienna sausages for .26 cents a can...major score! (kids hate the regular ones, but these were a hit)

AndyP wrote: Thanks, I talked to my dad and I was surprised that he agreed we should stock up. I guess tomorrow I will go and buy a lot of food.

You also have the advantage over the Average Joe that will hit the stores in a panic and encounter long lines with panicky people more than likely and crying kids and more chances of getting sick, just by being in those lines! I worked for a brief time last year as a food demonstrator at Walmart and was there when a Hurricane was predicated. There was a huge run on water and we were all out.

When the truck came in with the water pallets, people were lined up in the store to grab cases, as you can imagine as the stock got lower and lower, huge fights started breaking out. It was amazing to me to watch how regular folks get so scared and worked up when they want something that they need and they might not get it, all civility goes out the door.

Chocolate. Get some chocolate. I don't eat it that often, but under stress my brain craves it. Needless to say I've been working my way through my day after Valentine's Day stash.

Yes, it's scientific.

Chocolate is a stress reliever
Because dopamine is released into your brain when you eat chocolate, it can actually lower your levels of stress. This is why people often crave chocolate in stressful situations, or crave it when they are in need of comfort or reassurance.

This is going to seem like an advert...but I am only sharing it in case some are preparing and they need a straightup guide to what disinfectants they should include in their prepping. Of course, make up your own minds, but a lot of folks need some direction, me being one of them.


Does Lysol kill the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)?

Specific Lysol products have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on hard, non-porous surfaces. In accordance with the EPA Viral Emerging Pathogen Policy, the following Lysol products can be used against 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) when used in accordance with the directions for use.


Lysol® Disinfectant Spray EPA #777-99
• Lysol® Disinfectant Spray Max Cover Mist #777-127
• Lysol® Multi-Surface Cleaner Pourable EPA #777-89
• Lysol® Multi-Purpose Cleaner with Hydrogen Peroxide EPA #777-126
• Lysol® Multi-Purpose Cleaner with Bleach EPA #777-83
• Lysol® Power Bathroom Cleaner EPA #675-55
• Lysol® Power Foam Bathroom Cleaner EPA #777-71
• Lysol® Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner EPA #777-81
• Lysol® Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach EPA

NBC run/article on panic hoarding. Doing a little planning, have a decent pantry now (like many of our more self sustaining grandparents once did). This will free up supplies for others who cannot afford to or aren’t aware just yet of the need to plan. I think preplanning so shelves can be refilled, hopefully leaves supplies for another person.

By Ben Popken
“Coronavirus has the potential to become a global pandemic, temporarily emptying retail store shelves in the coming months and depressing some consumer-facing businesses, experts say, with government officials advising families to take measured steps to stock up on certain essentials.

A pandemic is the rapid spread of an infectious disease to a large amount of people in a short period of time across international boundaries.

Ahead of any pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security says families should check their prescription drug supplies, store two-week supplies of water and food and have non-prescription drugs and health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, cough and cold medicines and fluids with electrolytes.

Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend that consumers buy masks, saying they should instead focus on regular hand-washing. The only people who would benefit from masks are those exhibiting symptoms, to help prevent them from transmitting the virus, and front-line health care workers.

Panicked hoarding could create shortages of otherwise sustainable supplies in a self-fulfilling "run on the bank" scenario. In one Italian town, videos showed panicked shoppers trading blows and stripping shelves of pasta and other staples“

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/u-s-could-see-some-empty-shelves-mid-april-if-n1144351

Observations in Walmart today: (that were not there last week)

1) Big aisle displays of - Robustussin, Motrin, Mucinex

2) On the grocery side- big aisle displays of Lysol products, Clorox products and a big display of Clorox Laundry Sanitation Liquid

3) The Lysol sprays were wiped out on the shelf, I think I saw one on there and the Great Value equivalent was wiped out too with one or two on the shelf (there was that big aisle display that had more on it though, but I tend to think people dont notice those as much)

4) When I was getting my Lysol products, a woman shopping asked me where the bleach was, that made me take more notice of what others were buying. It looked like lots were "stocking up" and the store was fairly busy for a Friday during the day.

I am sure HQ is right on it with all the displays and said "get these on the floor" as that is where folks heads are at now.

5) got most of my stuff done, stil have more on my list, frankly I am really tired of shopping.

Penham wrote: If you're thinking about doing a garden or even a few pots indoors you might remember to pick up seeds  and depending on your situation starting them. Lettuce and spinach are easy to grow and keep producing when you cut and eat, ours stayed throughout the snow. Last summer we only did 3 tomato plants,  this year we have 10 started in our grow tent indoors. Squash is easy to grow. Last year we had 10 plants and ate squash almost every day and had tons to give away.  We also di jalapeno, just  2 plants but bought those. Onions are easy to grow, you can use the green tops for salads while waiting for the bulbs under to grow.

I just came to post that I started looking at vegetable seeds today! Hadn't seen your post earlier.  Veggies are definitely the weak spot in my preps. So getting some lettuce and radishes and snow peas (and I guess spinach per your recommendation) going right away would be smart. It's still freezing out, but I think I can rig something up using one of my cat heating pads.

I have tons of vegetable seeds, but, they're all from 2010. That was the last year I did any real gardening. They *might* sprout, but not going to risk it.

Also ordered seeds for sprouts - an indoor fast growing item filled with nutrients.

In other prepping news, Sam's club stuff was disappearing out of my cart as I was shopping! Both online and in store they're out of canned green beans, canned chicken was in store only, and other stuff I don't even remember. Remember I was in the store yesterday and they were fully stocked. Honestly, I'm a bit stunned.  I mean, we knew, but, it's different once it's happening.

I also checked Amazon Prime Pantry, and almost everything I'd ordered in the past few weeks is now out of stock.

I talked to the 3 neighbors in my apartment complex, and they're all stocking up! Neighbors a couple doors down are too. That's a big relief. But my freaking Dad and stepmom are still fully head in sand. So I keep ordering more food knowing I'll end up giving some to them, and they can grow a ton more veggies than we can here. So I'll be assigning them that job. ;-)

OH! If you're planning on planting in pots, make sure you have potting soil to fill them with! I got a huge bag at Sam's club. Would normally buy the 'good stuff' but I'm so over budget it's not even funny.