I’ve been thinking about some businesses that it might be good to have a relationship with now in advance of a pandemic. Here are my suggestions:
1) Around here we have a group of doctors that make house calls. If you have a similar practice in your area, it might be good to try to get into their practice now so that they know who you are and if a pandemic occurs you might stand a better chance of seeing a doctor if you need to. This group I’m thinking of charges $85 as a trip charge — regardless of how many people the doctor sees on that trip to your house. (There are the standard per patient/per treatment fees on top of the basic trip charge which would be payable by insurance.) If you have a large family, paying an extra 85 dollars to not have to pack everyone up and get to the doctor’s office might be a reasonable convenience charge.
2) Some groceries stores have a grocery delivery service. You can order online and I’m not sure if you have to drive by the store to pick the groceries up or whether they will deliver. Either way it might be good to be familiar with using the service now. They might not let new people sign up once a pandemic hits.
3) It might be good to have memberships lined up and paid up for all of the shopping/warehouse clubs just in case they quite adding new members during emergencies. They have large inventories of food and would probably be among the last places to sell out.
4) Support the nasal flu vaccine manufacturer this fall if you can because if there is a flu vaccine shortgage, that company is the only option healthy people will have to get the flu vaccine. The shots will be reserved for the sick, elderly, and very young. Please help keep that option available by supporting that company if you can.
5) You might want to learn how to do eBay. Lots of people sell stuff on eBay and make a pretty good living. If you get stuck at home for an extended period, you are going to want to find a way to make money from home.
Any other suggestions?
Clarification… One sentence should have been more clear…
On top of the basic trip charge, there are the standard per patient/per treatment fees, which would be payable by insurance. (I don’t think the trip charge would be.)
An excellent suggestion. We always tried to balance things so while I shop for the cheapest, I always kept dealing locally for some of my purchases. We have a new open to the elements shopping area in the next town. Unlike a mall which is enclosed. Not all shops can make a go of things.
Buy food locally, support local farmers and dairies.
What I find amazing is that even though I live in the center of the largest agricultural area in the US, we still import more of the same types of fruits and veggies to the grocery stores than we grow.
Also support your local talent. If there’s an electrician or whatever in the neighborhood, call them first. Save on gas.
I buy from Winder Farms here in Utah (they deliver). I also shop at the local Farmer’s market. Nothing from China or India here. From what I have been reading, those two countries will need to start keeping their food at home.
Might want to bring/send the managers/owners some Pandemic preparation handouts in case they haven’t been getting their continuity of operation plans, and their staff (and the staff’s households) ready.
Closed to maintain Forum speed.