I saw this posted at Effect Measure by someone—thought it sage advice—hope it’s ok that I am posting it here:
Just this weekend I reviewed my own pandemic plans, assessed my stockpile of food and water, removed expiring items for immediate consumption, considered the coming cold weather, noted changes in my eating and cooking habits, modified food requirements for all of my animals and then revised my plans - somewhat. The basics stayed the same. But the real questions that came up during this process were “What would/should I do if H5N1 exploded in some part of the world and a pandemic seemed imminent? What should my immediate response be? What must I do to REALLY get ready for such a crisis?” So I created a list of activities - prioritized - along with a list of items to purchase and where to buy them, then posted the list next to my computer. Now I can be comfortable knowing that a step-by-step, thoughtfully worked out plan is in place that will bring me up to pandemic preparedness within a few hours of “getting the word.” This exercise has taught me that, not only is it important to create a plan, it is equally important to reassess that plan from time to time, to make sure all aspects of it are still relevant, to make necessary modifications, and in general to refamiliarize yourself with the steps involved. With flu season around the corner, I would encourage everyone to take time out now to review whatever plans you’ve already made and continue to urge those who haven’t made plans to do so. As Revere pointed out, this has been a bad year and it’s not over yet. What winter will bring is anybody’s guess.
Lots of ideas here: Top 10
I think the time has come to REALLY be ready, already. I do have a wish list that gets a little shorter every month but the basics have been covered. As posted elsewhere, water storage and purification is #1, then shelter, then food etc, etc. One of the issues that should definitely be recognized is AVAILABILITY! Many products that should be preped are becoming harder and more expensive to obtain.
P100/N100 cartidges for respirators (3M, North etc) backordered from manufacturers since March 06. Full face, current production masks, limited availability-prices up. N99/95 disposable masks have doubled or tripled in price. Many bulk sized alcohol hand gels and commercial disinfectants backordered from manufacturers. Ammunition availability dramatically reduced availability and prices up 30–50% in many areas and mail order.
My point woould be: don’t wait to long on critical items or at least take availability into account and be prepared to scrounge for sources.
Do NOT expect to make any prep purchases last minute.
PERIOD
I have a last minute list that includes a lot of fresh fruits, apples, onions, garlic and potatoes.. I figure the canned food isle will be the busiest. I also have a few other things on there, like cash a large check at the bank, (small bills).
One approach that I have tried to apply is to make the list for those things that will have you operating contrary to any possible growing panic. Thus, plan on going to places and filling in on supplies that others aren’t going to be after in their last ditch effort to supply themselves with all of life’s necessities at the last minute.
For instance, perhaps you would like to pick up those batteries and flashlights you need (you should have them, but lets just say) at an auto parts store, rather than at the super market or convenience store.
Those gas cans you keep intending to get, maybe the lawn implement dealer has them, instead of Wally World or Home Despot.
think now about where you can go that everyone else won’t be. It will also reduce your exposure to crowds and the biohazards they carry.
I would be wary of any last minute critical preps that could be messed up with an overnight presidential or FEMA declaration of some sort. I wouldn’t be supprised by certain restrictions being announced simultaneously with new of a pandemic. Ie. banking/stock market and trade restrictions, ammunition sales….. Certain things take time to implement, others don’t!
I still believe we will see it coming before WHO or FEMA. They will need at least two emergency meetings, a plan, a revision of the plan, a screw up, and then an announcement. That should give us at least 3 days…. And remember, no one really reads the newspaper or believes what they read.
MnEagle— Better keep a copy of that list in your purse/billfold; in case you get the news away from home.
I was in Walmart a few days ago…”people watching” after I got my needed things. More are prepping ! There were more empty spots on the shelves…and you could see the “preps” going around in baskets,,…dry milk, staples, water, camping products, etc. And I thought to myself…”No, this is NOT a place I want to get caught in, when TSHTF !” There will be a stampede of panic-ed and angry people….people will get hurt…
I also got to thinking about alternate places to get anything “last minute”…anywhere but walmart and the ONE grocery store in this town !
As I walked around the store, I overheard 2 different sets of people; dicussing what they needed, or what they already had in their “supplies”….so the word IS getting heard, slowly.
My mom and I will be sitting in line tomorrow for our flu & pnumonia shots…so I imagine that shoots the day…
RUTH: So true. They will wait a few days and then decide to write a new definition for high path and low path.
Eccles: We had a power outage a few weeks ago and I tried to get some lanterns at alternative sites but in times of crisis, I discovered, there is always going to be others thinking they same thing. There were lines in every store I went to. If it had been bad, there wouldn’t have been anything left on the shelf. Most were buying one lantern and a pack of batteries. If the TSHTF, the first one in the store will fill up their cart unless the store puts a limit in place.
My personal experience is that I have either got to get it done … whatever “it” might be … or don’t plan on getting it done. Something always comes up to throw any “last minute” plans I have into chaos.
I’ve considered what areas that I’m willing to do without and what areas that I’m not willing to do without. I’ve focused on the priorities … and if I can’t get everything done, then at least I know I’ve made more headway in the necessities than in the can-do-withouts.
dang… everything I am doing is the present last minute plan. I have to do “this” before I can do the next thing. There is no way I can get this all done if this thing hits anytime soon. So, I will just have to know I did the best I could do.
Here is a kicker… my town lost it’s electricity today. The “system” broke, or something. Nobody seems to know. TV crews were even in town. I live out of town, so it didn’t affect me… but I sure heard about it. Cops were working alive, so I’m told. Word on the street is that the “system” just “broke.” Don’t think I haven’t taken this opportunity to express my opinion on how this same thing could happen again… on a long term basis… under several circumstances, like BF.
Water… I will still be gathering water and trying to figure out potable water sources down to the last minute.
EA I’m glad the cops were working alive-it would be bad if they were working dead….:-)
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