Forum: California Preppers

are there any out there? I read something today that I hadn’t thought of before.

“The World Health Organization in California is in a key location to be one of the first states possibly affected with a pandemic given its many ports of entry and frequent traffic from Asia. Surveillance for influenza is important to rapidly identify the importation of pandemic strains into California”

I live not far from Long Beach, the largest port in the US.

If anyone wants to stay in touch and/or help prep, post in here

I’m from California. We live in the Central Valley, east of the San Francisco Bay Area. We live in what once was a rural community I would have felt safe in during a pandemic. Not anymore. The rapid growth has brought all kinds of problems and people. My husband works at a company with loads of Asians and is very susceptible to seasonal flu so he is really worried. We are trying to prep accordingly but I fear we have started too late.

I fear I’ve started too late also. We got a lucky break though, as my boyfriend just sold his house, so we have extra money to prep. Thank goodness for that.

Where I live though, we have huge communities of hispanics, with many households containing upwards of 8–10 people crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment, with one car, and only government money to survive off of. The area I live in is relativly safe, but I do worry what people will do in a life or death situation… =/

Also, being so close to long beach certainily doesn’t help.

I also live very near to Irvine, which is full of asian college students & corporate travelers.

I, too, live in California’s Central Valley. Originally from the SF Bay Area, moved to Connecticut in 2000, and was xferred back to CA by my company. My wife and I are now trying to sell our house here and move back to the east coast—Virginia to be specific. I was taken back by how close together the houses have been built in the past 15 years or so. CA is crowded, but when the builders only put 6 feet between the homes, population density gets crazy!!

I see the same things as Kristy—HUGE Hispanic population (I won’t call them farmhands, I’ll call them Seasonal Agriculture Attendants). Two, sometimes three, families per household, one car, not much money in their pockets. I’m worried that this town is in for a big hit if and when BF gets here. A lot of folks who have lived here all their lives still have a “I live in a rural area” mentality, and raise their own poultry. Also, there is a large ‘racing-pigeon’ club here, and a lot of folks have ‘pet’ pigeons in their backyards.

It seems that every day we here of gangs and shootings going on. The city motto here seems to be “Only one gunshot a day…that’s all we ask!”

kristy - “Where I live though, we have huge communities of hispanics, with many households containing upwards of 8–10 people crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment, with one car, and only government money to survive off of. “

Only government money to survive off of? I seriously doubt that. Probably most of those 8–10 people crammed into that 2 bedroom apartment are there because they can’t afford anything bigger, seeing as how the money they make working their asses off for other people, people living in “relatively safe” areas, is insufficient to pay for anything better in the local outrageously-priced housing market.

Scaredy Cat----Krisy’s right. Most of these families receive multiple subsidies per “household member”, not per household. A large majority of the families work in the agricultural fields in the summer and fall, and receive money from the gov’t in the off-season. 8–10 people times around $1600 per month adds up to a nice income. Once it’s split among rent, food, gas, etc., there’s still plenty of money left over. The biggest problem is that a large portion of these folks are illegals, and they don’t want to call attention to themselves. They choose to live in small, inarticulate residences to keep the Feds from noticing them.

Quite a few of my friends growing up were hispanic (as is a lot of my family) and many, many of them are on welfare.

Most of them did not work.

And the “local outrageously-priced housing market”? Hmmmmm….yer right. Home PURCHASE prices are ridiculous out here…..but, rent is still very low here in the Central Valley. $800-$1200 for a 3-bedroom house. Not as high as NYC or L.A. at all. And most of the people they work for? Those folks live on farms and ranches. The workers are very willing to “work their asses off” for the pay. It’s more money than they could make in their home country, and most of THAT gets sent back to their home country so their other family members can live. Most Americans wouldn’t want the jobs these people do. We’re basically lazy. As for welfare….that’s just a too-hot political potato(e) for this forum.

Anyway, that wasn’t the point of this topic. I never said they didn’t work. I know many people of all races work very hard {myself included.} I was simply sharing my experiences that I’ve had with my friends & family.

So…

How are people’s preparations coming along?

Tommorrow I’m finding the nearest Camping World & stocking up on lighting, cooking supplies, and lots & lots of water. the one thing we have yet to do.

I think I’ll be hitting Costco tonight for dried food and preps. Then on to the local Li’l Market for beans and rice. I have bunches of empty RubberMaid-type boxes with lids that are great for storing and stacking….and moving if my wife and I ever get to that point!!

We’re also looking to move. To Colorado in April.

Not so sure that will happen if things continue to progress this way.

Good for you for getting things ready.

Do you store the beans & rice in plastic containers? I was wondering if that was a better idea than leaving them in the bag.

We have a contingent of squirrels here that gets into the garage every time I open one of the doors. Can’t always catch the little buggers, so up ‘til now, I’ve let the cats (3 of ‘em) have their way with ‘em. But now, I’ve got to be more vigilant with the weather warming up and more of ‘em showing up every weekend (they’re a lot like in-laws—once they move in, ya can’t get rid of ‘em!!) So, I use the plastic containers. They aren’t food grade, so I keep the beans and rice and other items in their original containers, and put those in the plastic boxes. I am/was planning to seperate everything into smaller, more manageable bags, but if things keep going at this rate, most of my time is going to be spent just shopping!

(they’re a lot like in-laws—once they move in, ya can’t get rid of ‘em!!)

LOL!

I’m glad I’ve never allowed them to move in. Both squirrels AND in laws ;)

I was also trying to organize & make things a little neater and easier to access, but it would seem that now the focus needs to be on getting everything bought as fast as humanly possible. I think I may even go buy a Costco membership tommorrow and buy up as much as I can.

Good for you, but (as posted on another thread) don’t buy a case of caskets at Costco. It makes the neighbors wonder what’s up!!! Good luck, and thanks again for the 6 page letter. Got it last night in email. Then got forwarded to about 75 people in my address book. I guess I’ll have to cull through all of the response tonight to see if anybody I know is taking this seriously…Most of the folks I know live here in CA in very crowded towns.

The racial stereotypes in this thread are thoroughly disgusting. You have no idea how any particular family lives or how much money they have and/or where it comes from. You are simply operating on assumptions based on your own prejudices.

“A large majority of the families work in the agricultural fields in the summer and fall, and receive money from the gov’t in the off-season. 8–10 people times around $1600 per month adds up to a nice income. Once it’s split among rent, food, gas, etc., there’s still plenty of money left over.”

Oh yes, the wonderful, decandent lifestyle of the California farm laborer. So much money to spend between taking siestas, mixing up a batch of margaritas and cashing huge welfare checks. They’ve just got it made in the shade.

“Quite a few of my friends growing up were hispanic (as is a lot of my family) and many, many of them are on welfare. Most of them did not work.”

WTF? Many of “them,” huh? Do you have any idea how ignorant you sound? You know, if this site is going to be made up of a bunch of people who think that free-loading “foreigners” like Asians and Hispanics are the ones who are going to spread disease to the rest of “us” hard workin’ white folk then you can just have this place. What offensive crap.

Kristy,

I will be happy to talk to you through an email..but would rather not give my address here..

there is another place GS started as a test format.. I will sign in there and you can send me a PM through that format. http://www.setbb.com/fluwiki2/index.php?mforum=fluwiki2

I am not very far from Long Beach.

Ima

anonymous,

Thank you so much for your post. I had considered responding again to the back and forth above but, thinking it probably was pointless, had abstained from doing so. Also I hoped the racism expressed would sink to the bottom of the pool and stay there where it belongs.

Ah, but you see, anonymous, it’s true. It is a mere fact of life that in California, almost ALL of the farm workers are Hispanic. And it’s true: the majority only work in Summer and Fall because THAT IS WHEN THE FIELDS ARE HARVESTED. Am I ignorant? Not hardly. Observant? Absolutely. Acquainted with the Hispanic population in California? Most definitely. I’ve grown up in it and been a part of it my whole life. I know for a FACT that most of these families receive gov’t subsidies (whether State of Federal) during the off-season to supplement the meager income they received during the harvest season.

Let’s do a little math here: 26 weeks times approx. $400 per week = $10400 divided by 6 months = $1733 per month times 8 adult workers in one house = $13,864 Per Household.

Are they all illegals? Certainly not. Are they rich? Not by any means…most of the money that is left over after paying their bills is sent back to Mexico to other family members so that THEY can get by. I said that before. The homes that they live in are, by no means, McMansions. Most of them are in areas that neither you nor I would want to even drive through, but they get by and stay out of the spotlight and do their jobs. My hat has always gone off to them for doing the kind of back-breaking work they do and that most Americans run from because they can’t deal with it. I grew up in East San Jose, and what I saw of the families that lived there would blow you away: nearly all of the Hispanic families were older, first-generation Mexican. Nearly all of the second-generation (usually in their 20′s and 30′s) decided it was easier to make money by collecting food stamps and welfare than to work as hard as their parents did to get by. I saw it every day. And now, where I live in the Central Valley, it’s changed a bit: instead of going out in the off-season and finding jobs, most of the families stay at home and collect unemployment for 26 weeks.

I never stated anywhere that “free-loading “foreigners” like Asians and Hispanics are the ones who are going to spread disease to the rest of “us” hard workin’ white folk”. I don’t believe that for one instant. The reason I see this town that I live in as a huge problem if BF gets here? It’s over-crowded, over-built, and at least 1/2 of the homes in the older parts of town are over-inhabited. Many of the Hispanic families are very large. A lot of them have bought homes next door to their parents, and their kids have done the same. More extended family members have been invited to stay with them. Makes for a very crowded neighborhood. Now, BF comes along and infects 1 single family member. He/She doesn’t know it yet, but by going to visit other family members in the other houses (as well as in his/her own home) they’ve infected, oh, let’s say, 6 people. Those 6 go to visit more, and you can now see how this Influenza could become a firestorm in just a matter of days. Multiples of people from the same family will fall ill.

I don’t have the answer to what to do…I only know what I know and see. And I’ve seen it every day of my life.

We all see what we see. I have neighbors who are black and Mexican who are very nice and some who are not nice at all. I had friends who were Mexican, Asian and black growing up, I still do. Many are very nice people many are not. Many work hard many do not. Many in my area are involved in gangs. Whay do I say that? Because that is what I see them doing. Until after September 11th I had never met a Muslim (though there are now many in our community). After September 11th my husband bought a copy of the Koran and said “read it.” What an eye opener. I no longer buy the “religion of peace” line about Islam the media keeps tossing at us.

Do I want to deal with any of these groups if things get bad. Heck no! Is that prejudiced? Maybe. But these are my beliefs from having grown up in the central valley and dealt with people from all walks of life my whole life. If that makes me a bigot then please, put a capitol B on it when you say it.

When my son gets fired for getting upset over repeatedly being called “Gringo” by Mexicans at work, a term I know they use in a dirogitory manner, then I think I have the right to be a bigot because his former employer is breaking the law allowing that kind of harrassment. If he called them wetback or beaner he would have got fired the first time, not allowed to do it for months like they did. When I see Mexican men looking at young girls innocently playing in swimsuits in the sprinkler in their front yard like they are piece of meat it sickens me. When most of the sex offenders near my home are Mexicans what am I to think? When I see black, Asian & Muslim gang members moving here from the city to what was once a relatively safe community I no longer feel safe or want to live here. I am afraid to let my 19 yea-old daughter walk to the bus to go to school in broad daylight because so far she has had to run from both Mexican and black men trying to assult her.

Bigotry and racisim goes both ways Scardey Cat and anonymous. I for one am tired of having to be the polite white woman who doesn’t give tit for tat when it’s due! My family works hard, plays by the rules, contributes countless hours to our community (My eldest & I both work with at risk youth) and in the name of affirmative action and not being racially biased have been crapped on for years by the Mexicans, the blacks and the Asians. I ain’t putting up with it from any of them any more or the Muslims either!

I am always quiet and polite to everyone I give each individual a fair break no matter what their skin color, that is how I was raised. I was taught not to judge anyone by their background but rather by their actions. But, I am flat tired of being told that because I am white that I am the only one who could possibly be racist. Getting off of my soapbox now.

BroncoBill, I saw canned roast beef in Costco today. I never saw it before. It is packaged up just like their canned chicken in six packs of 12 oz cans for $9.99.

Thanks Poppy---I think I may have to go and check that out tomorrow. Big Day in Costco on Saturdays. I usually hit the Home Depot first, just ‘cuz it’s the “Guy ThAng” to do, but in this case, Costco comes first. To home to unload, then back out to HD, just to do some Spring browsing! :-) I’ll let ya know what I find at Costco….by the way, we have 2 Costcos here in Fresno, and at least 1 Winco, plus a couple of Smart ‘n Final stores. If I can’t find anything at one, I have a few others to check out!! :-)

DOH!! Had cookies deleted last time. Thanks Poppy. And Amen to your lengthy post….

Hi, Is anyone in the San Diego area? Would love to know is any San Diegans are following this site. I don’t have any friends or families who are taking this seriously. Isolation of my family is my biggest concern, next population density as it applies to family safety, then food and the loss of my business. We are in Rancho Penasquitos.

SoCalGal,

I am up in LA and I do understand everyone’s concerns about density population as well as not being able to talk to anyone I know about this. Here is a place we can talk a little more in depth about our areas and able to PM each other to talk outside of the public eye. http://www.setbb.com/fluwiki2/index.php?mforum=fluwiki2 just sign in and PM Ima_Gardener. The weather is so nice here…I am wondering if the virus will find a nice comforting home here.

Ima_Gardener

I laugh at you ignorant a-holes that are even suggesting that I am racist. You missed some key points in my posts, the biggest one being that I AM MEXICAN. I am hispanic, brown, a darkey, whatever people refer to mexians as. I do not get offended easily, but appearantly YOU DO.

I am part of the culture that I speak of.

I am so far from racist. A man I loved dearly for 3 years was black, and all of my friends that I cherish are of every race & color you can think of. How dare you accuse me of being racist.

Go find something better to do than attack & accuse people who are here to genuinly prepare for the unimaginable.

I will not continue this conversation with you, and I will not feed into yourignorance.

IMa_Gardener, I will email you. =]

Poppy---got my canned roast beef today! Awesome!! It’s actually Roast Beef Brisket in a can! Can’t wait to try it! I got 6 cans of beef, and 8 cans of the canned chicken breasts.

Sorry, got carried away. I think I really would, actually, wait quite a while to try it! :)

Kristy— no offense was meant.

Sorry. Just a little stressed out, and people stirring up unnessesary sh*t on a message board where people are trying to protect themselves, and befriend others that are in the same situation frustrates the hell out of me.

Its all good though =)

I’m currently sitting at my computer making an excel spreadsheet of my supplies, have everything laid out all over the place, and in a bit I’m heading to Vons to get lots and lots of water.

Fun Saturday night for this youngun.

Sorry. Just a little stressed out, and people stirring up unnessesary sh*t on a message board where people are trying to protect themselves, and befriend others that are in the same situation frustrates the hell out of me.

Its all good though =)

I’m currently sitting at my computer making an excel spreadsheet of my supplies, have everything laid out all over the place, and in a bit I’m heading to Vons to get lots and lots of water.

Fun Saturday night for this youngun.

No problem. Just seems that people who don’t know what they’re talking about have more to say about everything than those of us that know what we’re saying and have little to say. I personally don’t opinionate, just state the facts as I learn them. It’s taken me a lifetime to get this far, and I have no plans to stop now!! :-)

And to think that Von’s only existed in Fresno!!!!

I agree. We state facts as we’ve experienced them. Thus why everyone has different opinions. Different life experiences = different opinions.

I love Vons. They’re open until 2am for us late night preppers ;)

Kristy, I’m not trying to offend anyone here either but I am trying to point out that bigotry does go both ways. Many only want to believe that it is only white people discriminating against what are perceived as the “minority” races. Fact is in the U.S. whites ARE a minority race. I have had negative experiences with people from literally every race out there, whites included. There is good and bad in everyone. Unfortunately in recent years I have seen many very negative behaviors from mostly Mexicans and blacks in my home area and it is a situation that is getting worse. These groups are responsible for much of the gang activity and drug crimes in my area, both of which are very detrimental to the community and I live way to close to a major gang area in my community to want to be too trusting. About the only time we see the police around here it is because of a black family across the street or the gang activity a couple of blocks around the corner which is primarily Mexicans, blacks and Muslims. Is all this affecting my judgement of these groups and making me racist? Maybe. I try to fight that every day. I help in my community to try to get kids to reject gangs and I try to show every person I meet the same good manners and kindness regardless of their race. But I am just more than a bit fed up lately with some things that have affected my family. Personally I think it is a shame that the rotten people in any culture can make us feel negatively about an entire culture or race.

I agree with you 100% Poppy.

I’d have to say that my views & my opinions are based on the same things that yours are coming from.

BroncoBill, Glad you liked the roast beef from Costco. We tried it out. It makes for great BBQ beef sandwhiches. Just add BBQ sauce and heat. My husband also made some stroganoff with it last night. Both were great. Costco ain’t just a guy thing. I never get to spend enough time in there.

We are north of you so not as many big club stores to choose from. Still we went to Smart & Final in Modesto over the weekend. I hadn’t been there in years. Found some great stuff there though. Well worth the trip. I will be going back for more asap. I’m working on tight finances at present so spreading out my spending as much as I can. I’m beginning prepping late so much is still planning and figuring out what we need to get at this stage. I’ve been busy finding out who has what and which stores have the best prices. I’m still looking for butter powder, cheese powder and powdered eggs. I’ve not seen them anywhere. I’m still working on food storage but I have a source to get some watertight/airtight cans. Hopefully I can get enough for all our bulk dry storage and for additional rabbit feed. We usually only have 1–2 months feed on hand for the rabbits in those same cans so we have to add more cans for their food storage also. If we have to hole up at home we won’t be able to make feed runs to Modesto.

If you find any butter poweder and/or cheese powder let me know.

Although you could always stock up on mac & cheese and use the cheese powder out of there?

I still need to get a Costco membership.

campbell’s cheese soup.

Kristy—get over there today and get your membership. On Saturday, while I was at Costco, I overheard a few folks in the checkout lines talking about “stocking up for emergencies in the near future.” Now, here in Fresno, we don’t have ‘quakes, we don’t have floods, we don’t have blizzards. Whatever in the world could they be talking about? Hmmmmmm….I noticed that most of their flatbed carts were filled with bags of beans and rice and canned goods. Actually, it kinda gave me a fuzzy feeling all over that maybe others are aware of what we know here, and are prepping…

Great news to see others stocking up!!

At least we’re not alone.

Unfortunatly, because of work & school, I probably won’t be able to get a membership until Wednesday, but I’m going to do it. Or, I may just use someone else’s!

Kristy---Can’t use someone else’s unless they’re there with you. The cards have the owner’s pic on them and the cashiers check that against ID if you don’t look like the picture. Don’t worry though….I seriously doubt that Costco will run out of too much between now and Wednesday :-)

Yeah I’m sure their supplies arn’t going anywhere ;)

I have a friend who said she’d take me if I cannot afford one :) I like that idea.

Smart & Final had a basic cheese sauce in big cans when I was there but if we don’t have power then it could go bad before it all got used. Nice to know others are stocking up. The more who do the safer we all will be. Get that Costco membership asap. It is worth the money.

There is a family that lives a couple of blocks away from us that is keeping chickens in town. Now I know this is permitted to some degree so that is not the issue. The issue is that despite the fact there is a low fence they are running lose in the yard and there are at least ten counting at least one rooster, plus an undetermined number of chicks. This is over the limit in the municipal code (shown below). Now there are two issues here besides the direct violation of the rooster: 1)The concerns about bird flu make me concerned about that many chickens running loose on a small city lot (especially one this close to home and up wind of us). 2)My daughter has to walk by there every day on her way home from her bus stop.

I want to voice my concern but I would rather remain anonymous. This is not anything personal, I don’t even know the people who have the chickens. I am more concerned about any birds running loose outside in ANY yard inside the city. I just don’t want anyone checking into the number of rabbits I have and this town is known for that sort of vindictive checking up on animal numbers, because we keep rabbits and depending upon which code you read we can keep either 4 or 12. I tried once to get clarification on the number of rabbits I am allowed from the city once but nobody could or would answer my questions. Because of that I just try to keep my numbers low (12 or less), keep things clean, and keep them out of sight as much as possible. They can’t say I’m running a business (also disallowed in the code) because that would imply a profit and I never sell enough to even pay for our feed. This is strictly a hobby/pet thing.

Comments? Suggestions?

Municipal code (Re: # of animals. *Prior sections also count other animals like dogs, cats etc in the total number of 12): Small animals: not more than four (4) rabbits and/or hares and domestic fowl (hens only), provided not more than twelve (12) of any one or combination of such animals and fowl may be maintained on a parcel.

Want to find your own town’s municipal codes regarding animals? this site has them for every state. http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/

Poppy---Reading the municipal code you listed, it looks to me that you *could* have a maximum of 12 rabbits or 12 hens. I’m obviously not an attorney, but I’d much rather have a neighbor with a hundred rabbits penned up in their yard than a bunch of chickens. Especially at this point in time…I haven’t heard too much about “bunny flu”!!!

“provided not more than twelve (12) of any one or combination of such animals and fowl may be maintained on a parcel.”

Hi Bill, That’s the thought I am operating on. There are many diseases rabbits can catch but I think they are more at risk from us than us them. Now the 100 rabbits…. Boy you should smell my garage when cages need to be cleaned (we keep them in there in winter). Whew! There are only 8 in there now and when those cages need cleaning…well it’s a good thing they’re cute.

In my area there are chickens that the government has put in place. The idea is to detect west nile virus (which we have).

I would think that while your concern about the chickens is valid, having them in the neighborhood (not complaining about them) is an asset. From my prespective, if the chickens disappear.. now there is something to be concerned about.

Use the chickens like you would any first alert warning system. If the chickens all of a sudden disappear it may mean that the wild bird population has it and brought it in.

If you complain and the people have to remove these chickens, how will you then know if there is a potential BF problem in your area?

just a thought

JPT--- “If you complain and the people have to remove these chickens, how will you then know if there is a potential BF problem in your area?”

We don’t need chickens. I’m *certain* that the gov’t will tell us when BF is here? Of course they would!!! :-}

JPT- You raise a valid point. One I had not considered. However there is a preschool very near this home and a family with young children living next door. I am concerned that the close conditions of the housing in that immediate area could cause H5N1 to spread very quickly if the birds there became ill. Or even expose my daughter as she walks by there. I seem to recall reading that the virus can even survive in the dried feces which can become airborn. That thought gives me the creeps when I think of all the places around town that have dried bird feces all over the place.

I am not just interested in this particular group of birds though. I feel there is a real health risk from anyone keeping ANY barnyard type of fowl roaming free in a city lot at this point and I really feel cities might want to rethink this part of their municipal codes in the name of public health.

As for using local birds as a barometer for bird flu. They filmed part of the movie “The Birds” in a town not far from here. We are along a flyway here in California’s Central Valley. We have loads of birds in this area and when they started dropping last year from West Nile, believe me I noticed. I keep an eye an much of the wildlife in my area because it does clue me in to what is happening in nature that can also affect us humans. Such as the snakes that have been coming out of the coast range and laying inside the rails of the train tracks and biting anything that happens to startle them (so far several people and dogs). Also the fact that there don’t seem to be as many white tailed jackrabbits in our area as there used to be. Either predators are getting them or there is some disease going around I’m not aware of. I am inclined to think it is disease because of a couple of things my daughter and I have seen recently. A huge cause for concern for us. So I do have an early warning system for the bird flu with or without those chickens. I doubt I will do anything about those birds directly but rather encourage our city leaders to consider if chickens should be living in town at all. It would not hurt for them to look at the applicable ordinance and ask themselves in light of H5N1; “is this safe for the public health or would it not be better to eliminate the threat within the city borders?”

JPT- You raise a valid point. One I had not considered. However there is a preschool very near this home and a family with young children living next door. I am concerned that the close conditions of the housing in that immediate area could cause H5N1 to spread very quickly if the birds there became ill. Or even expose my daughter as she walks by there. I seem to recall reading that the virus can even survive in the dried feces which can become airborn. That thought gives me the creeps when I think of all the places around town that have dried bird feces all over the place.

I am not just interested in this particular group of birds though. I feel there is a real health risk from anyone keeping ANY barnyard type of fowl roaming free in a city lot at this point and I really feel cities might want to rethink this part of their municipal codes in the name of public health.

As for using local birds as a barometer for bird flu. They filmed part of the movie “The Birds” in a town not far from here. We are along a flyway here in California’s Central Valley. We have loads of birds in this area and when they started dropping last year from West Nile, believe me I noticed. I keep an eye an much of the wildlife in my area because it does clue me in to what is happening in nature that can also affect us humans. Such as the snakes that have been coming out of the coast range and laying inside the rails of the train tracks and biting anything that happens to startle them (so far several people and dogs). Also the fact that there don’t seem to be as many white tailed jackrabbits in our area as there used to be. Either predators are getting them or there is some disease going around I’m not aware of. I am inclined to think it is disease because of a couple of things my daughter and I have seen recently. A huge cause for concern for us. So I do have an early warning system for the bird flu with or without those chickens. I doubt I will do anything about those birds directly but rather encourage our city leaders to consider if chickens should be living in town at all. It would not hurt for them to look at the applicable ordinance and ask themselves in light of H5N1; “is this safe for the public health or would it not be better to eliminate the threat within the city borders?”

Poppy---I certainly understand what you mean by the “odors” eminating from dirty cages! Several years ago, I found a rabbit in my yard in San Jose. Caught it, caged it, named it. My dad insisted that we keep it in the garage, since winter was coming on. Cleaned that cage 3 times a week, but still….very odiferous!!! :-) I can’t imagine 8 in a small room! On the other hand, much less smell than a bunch of chickens in the garage!!!

Still trying to get things tagged and put up for the coming BF ‘storm’, but I’ve found that I also need to slow down simply because my wife and I are planning on moving cross country to VA in the next couple of months where her brother lives. Right on the James River, so I’m hoping that we won’t have to store a lot of water once we get there. Moving companies charge by the pound, so moving a couple hundred gallons of water is absolutely out of the question!! Most of the water I have now is rainwater stored in 55 gallon drums, so we’ll be using it for non-potable use—yard, car wash, etc. so it doesn’t just get dumped down the drain.

Hopefully we have a few months =]

Tonight I’m going to hit up Food 4 Less & pick up some stuff, then probably head home & get all of my supplies [which are currently laid out on the floor] put away in the bins we bought, and finish categorizing everything on my Excel Sheet.

This is my only day until mid-week next week that I will be able to do anything.

Friday AM we leave for Colorado for 4 days. I’m a little nervous.

Yeah it gets kind of rank in there sometimes no matter how much we clean cages. We take advantage of the nice days to air it out by opening both doors and letting the air through. There is odor control stuff but that only does so much. At least we have a good commercial fly control which is absolutely necessary, even in winter, with that many rabbits. Sorry to hear your leaving CA for Virginia. Truth is though I would leave too if I could. I’m a native but this state is just too expensive to live in. Good luck on your move. BTW where did you get your water drums? I sure would like to get a few myself for storing water. I need it for us and the rabbits. Amazing how much water a 3–5lb rabbit can drink in a day, 32oz+ in summer.

Poppy---got the drums from a friend who’s company used them to ship flour and wheat in bulk. Blue plastic with a sealing top, numeral two designated on the bottom for food-grade. I paid $5 for each of them several years ago and have only really used them for sleeping/blanket storage until now….

Poppy,

For oder control I really like this product http://www.sweetpdz.com/

I also have rabbits and use worms to eat down the manure. It is amazing how much those little red wigglers can eat!

I do know where to get the blue plastic barrels in my area, used to have coffee flavorings in them.. I think they are $15 each and are complete. They are cut up and used for hay feeders for horses or water barrels when the top is cut off. Each time I go to my local feed store the wonderful aroma of hazle nut fills the air and makes me hungry as I am surrounded by stacks of alfalfa! too funny.

Irna, Thanks for that link. I’ll have to check with them on where I can get their product. The odor isn’t a problem spring-fall when they are outside. It’s just a wintertime thing because they are inside all enclosed so much. Still that is better than them being outside with all the wind we get here. You must have some feed store. Hazel nut coffee and hay? That does seem like a nice smell. I lived out on a farm in my teens and loved the sweet smell of the alfalfa fields around the house. My poor husband hated it when we were dating. The only thing he is allergic to is alfalfa. We’re getting too urban here to have any feed stores that are very nice. We even have to go out of town for our rabbit feed we use. The price on those barrels you paid does not sound bad at all.

I find myself at some crossroads today.

We’ve just returned from a weekend in Colorado looking at houses & such, and we’re pretty sure that we DO want to move. And as soon as possible at that.

I don’t feel safe here anymore for some reason, and I’m starting to really loathe southern california.

I still feel safe now that I’m prepared (for anything.) Now I wonder if I should continue preparing, and continue putting money into this, or if I should take a few steps back and really just live my life at this point.

I have no idea what descisions to make. If we move, we’d like to move the beginning of April. The “spring” that most people are predicting to be the beginning of the H5N1 pandemic. And all scenarios are showing Los Angeles as the starting point in the US for this pandemic. (of course, these are all guesses & it could begin anywhere for all we know).

Another thing to think about: If we move to Denver, we’ll be in an urban area. But is that really all that different from the suburbs of Orange County where its wall to wall houses, when it comes to a Pandemic? I keep thinking that moving into a city is a bad idea, but for all intents & purposes, I already live in a city. Only my city is flat, and spans for miles and miles, capped by San Diego and Los Angeles at either end.

Maybe I just need to read around the Wiki more. It seems that when I’m away for a few days, I start to forget that H5N1 is even a possibilty. Then I start to doubt that it will ever happen, and I feel like I am wasting my time preparing.

Then I come here & reality hits me.

Sorry for the ramble. Lots on my mind today.

Kristy---just step back for a few minutes and take stock of what you have in your “Preps Pantry”. Take some time for yourself in your own home and relax. Do continue prepping, but don’t make it a panic reaction to coming back to OC. I know that my preps are basically on hold right now, because I can’t afford to move several hundreds or thousands of pounds of foodstuff across the country. I’m not paniced (sp?), but am concerned about how to play “catch-up” once we do get settled back east.

I just got off the phone with the owner of the home we’re looking at. My bro-in-law looked at the house a few weeks ago, and said that he notice some moldy odors in the carpet. The owner just told me that a few years ago, a hurrican came through the area and made the carpets and floors wet…thus that “moldy” smell. He’s replacing the floors and carpets before we move. But, to the point, when my wife and I moved to Connecticut 5 years ago, we originally were thinking about Virginia. Then I looked on some of the weather sites, and saw that VA occasionally has hurricanes. Uhm….I’m allergic to hurricanes :-) And now, here we are, getting ready to move to VA. Hurricane country. Why did he have to tell me they had a hurricane there? Hmmm? Oh well….

But, I digress. Don’t get all panicky. Just remain calm, take a hot bath, and relax. If you feel that you’ve got enough stuff for a few months, then just go through your lists and see if there’s anything you may want to add as “comfort preps”. I hear Chocolate is good…. :-)

Bill - you should make sure someone checks that there’s no actual MOLD growing under your home! That could be more dangerous than the hurricaines ;)

I’m doing okay. I’m not “panicked” exactly so much as I am worried that this pandemic may arrive before we move. Or while we’re moving.

So much to think about, but I guess I’m coming to the realization that I need to move forward with my plans to move to Denver, and if a pandemic arrives between now & then…well, then we’re stuck here for a while I guess.

It just bothers me because it seems that most predictions are saying springtime for the start of a pandemic, and that’s right when we’d be moving.

I’d rather not be in the heat of moving (boxes everywhere, everything a mess, etc) if a pandemic happens. But I can’t control everything I suppose. I just have to accept that that’s a possibility, and just go about my daily life :)

When are you planning to move to Virginia?

Kristy----We’re hoping sometime in the next 60–90 days…same as you. I’m not so much worried about mold under the house…it has a fully finished basement that has been a live-in apartment for the past 3 years, and sits on a concrete slab.

I’m concerned about moving right smack dab in the middle if BF should get here, too, but I gotta git outta CA. I’m going nutso in this town! {:−0

BTW---are you moving yourselves, or having a commercial company do it? The reason I ask is that you want to mark your ‘preps’ boxes so they don’t have a conniption fit about moving bunches of food and water, and so they don’t wonder what you’re up to!!! Some of the companies won’t move large amounts of food across state lines without permits

Hi you guys, I’m in California too. Poppy, I’m the one that wrote that sob story the other night about my bad health (it was middle of the night, and it was all true. Middle of the night tends to bring out the depths of my soul….I’m a night owl) and you were the only one that commented, but that was my fault because of the insane hour I posted it. Ny prepping has been very thin to date as I’m prepping with two somewhat skeptical family members, but at least I finally have what I can call a “pile” going. I’m in Temecula….I’m on the Wiki every day, mostly reading, not posting….internet junkie….self-employed….not really scared of the flu on a personal level….been hit too hard with too many other scares, personally, though I do fear for my loved ones and I do fear for humanity.

Kristy. I had a friend who lived in Westminster NW of Denver for several years. So although I’ve never lived there I know something about the area. There are two things you want to consider. One problem my friend found is that people in the area didn’t seem to like folks from California much. They seemed to have a lot of prejudices and negative stereotypes about us and often blamed Californian’s for their area’s problems. The other problem which you really want to consider before moving to the front range area is this. In winter and early spring the people living there have much more problems with flu and one of it’s complications, pneumonia than we do here. Pneumonia seemed to be a very common problem in the area from what my friend told me. Given that H5N1 affects the respiratory system so badly I would think twice before making such a move. There are loads of nice places to live that are not as urban as the LA area but personally knowing what I know I would not pick Denver or any of the surrounding area.

One thing you and Bill both might want to consider in your preps Kristy is linens. I read a post one day about one person who was buying new sheets, towels etc… all in white to prep for the pandemic. Her reasoning was that she could wash them all in bleach to disinfect them without worry because there would be no color to fade. Makes sense to me. Since buying foods seems a less than ideal thing to do because you are both planning moves why not focus your attention to other preps? Buy new sheets and blankets (at least three changes per bed), comforters, mattress and pillow protectors, towels and washcloths, all in white. Make sure you have plenty for everyone. Do the same for your kitchen also, again in white so it can all be bleached without worry.

Another thing you can do is get things like toiletries, home office supplies, seeds, tools and other non-food items that you may need if quarantined/holed up for awhile. How about some new paperbacks (not too many as books are heavy), games, craft or hobby items to help you pass the time? The movers may look funny at a lot of food being moved but a few extras of these items are not likely to raise any eyebrows.

You may want to order local area maps and information for where you are moving to so you will be familiarized with the area and it’s businesses. Contact the physician referral service in the area to which you are moving and get a list of local doctors so you can check them out before your move. Request copies of your family medical records to be released to you to take in hand (don’t let them tell you that you cannot do this because you can). This often takes a couple of weeks to a month so allow plenty of time for it. But, if the pandemic begins while you are enroute those records could be very important. Get physicals for the entire family if you are due for them and make sure your family’s immunizations are current. Get certified copies of your family’s vital records (birth, marriage, death) if you don’t have them. That way you won’t need to write for them at some future date and wait to get them in the mail which can take quite some time. This way you are still prepping it’s just focused differently and with the changes brought about by the move in mind.

Hi Fluless, Hey late night brings out lots of things in us all. I know what health problems are like I have my share so does hubby. The hazard of being over 40. Now I have an elderly aunt freaking out on me about my health because of my brother’s quad bypass last Friday. She is so frightened by all this. Bro is still with us but they had to deepen his near coma because of his reactions to the pain he is in. I’m so scared for his family. With all the medical problems my sis-in-law has had the past year+ money was already tight now this. She is taking family leave and he does have his military pension but they may never recover from this financially. Prepping is financially out of the question not that they have ever had empty cabinets. Right now I’m more concerned they can pay the mortgage and the doctor bills.

Lurking and reading is good. I learn a lot that way.

Poppy, do tell. I used to think life was overwhelming when I was young. Now at least I’ve developed a good, cynical sense of humor to go along with my woes <g> But I really do care a great deal about others and I make a good listener. I spoke to my oldest brother this afternoon, he lives in Minneapolis. He’s in his mid-60′s and probably is my only rational relative left. He’s more than a little concerned about the bird flu but hasn’t thought to do any prepping or anything along those lines. We didn’t get to that until late in our conversation so I’ll have to e-mail him and tell him what I’ve been doing (like I said, not enough!!) I have to call him again soon anyway because I am facing a biopsy on the old cancer site (breast) within a week (new thickening under old scar, yowie ow, it’s going to hurt!!!!) …Forgot to feed the cats….bad cat mama…

Good luck with that biopsy.

Poppy – at 20:08 - I’ve definetly thought about the whole “california” stigma that happens in Colorado. My best friend also moved to Boulder for College, and said the same thing. She suggested I change my car plates as soon as possbible.

BUT, we also know people out there. Quite a few people, and honestly, how can they know I’m from california if

a. I don’t tell them, and b. I have Colorado plates

The people in Denver cannot possbile be nastier & more rude than the people in Orange County.

Hi, folks. I too live in California. New to this site, but perhaps those of us who live with fires, earthquakes and mudslides get more proactive. I live on the Central coast between Monterey and San Francisco. (also Colorado pioneer heritage looking at the post above me).

If you haven’t done so, check with your Department of Health Services for your county to see if plans (if any) are in place (results may make you want to throw up). Based on what I hear from my county, shelter in place is the viable strategy for me and mine. I am doing a lot of things to make sure I am healthy with a strong immune system as I plan to ride this out. Costco memberships are a fine thing. I am buying some plastic storage facilities and stocking up on canned goods, quinoa (peruvian grain that contains all 22 amino acids)beans, rice, flu mitigation things, dried stuff, vitamins and other supplements, etc. Bought a fair amount of batteries today and will look into figuring out how to run my laptop on a 12v circuit in the car if it comes to that. I have oil lamps, big honking flashlights, sterno, charcoal, solar radio, etc.

I go to law school at night and have suggested to the school that they start looking at plan B for next fall in terms of on line teaching and learning.

Well, a good way to NOT prep is to get laid off your job, like me last week.

But, I’m taking it as a blessing & I’m moving forward.

I just bought a Costco membership and picked up all kinds of stuff for the prep room. I picked up some Velveeta cheese…I was wondering if anyone knows how long that lasts for if its unopened?

Appreciate it :)

I live in the SF Bay Area….its good that we all have this connection with each other so we can help each other out when the time comes….

jaydawg707 – at 20:52 --- I’m originally from San Jose. Moved to Connecticut, and now in lovely FresNO. Wish I could afford to come back to SJ, but even a small house is 3 times what my budget can handle…

Kristy---sorry to hear about your job. But something else will come along. In the meantime, continue your lists and prepping the best you can. Good luck in your job hunt.

Hi Kristy, Sorry to hear about your job. I can really feel as my son is in the same situation. Looking for a new job right now bites. Spring usually sees an upswing in hiring though. I can recommend Monster.com. It’s great except for entry level. Changing your plates right away if you move to Colorado is best. That’s what my friend told me she was told to do when they first moved there.

Welcome to Nancy and Jaydawg. I live in the valley east of the SF Bay area myself. My husband commutes to the east bay to work. I love the central coast Nancy. My brother used to be stationed at Ord. I’m planning a trip to Monterey soon for a convention. I can’t wait, any excuse to get to that area works for me. Regarding checking with our county on their plans: They had a big first responders meeting recently. The only thing they really were discussing was what facilities they could use for vaccination sites. I just am not hopeful about our local governments, at any level, handling this thing well. I just get the horrible feeling that they have not begun to grasp what we might be dealing with. I’m not panicked about it as this seems to be the norm around here. I just don’t understand how so many people (who are supposed to be smarter than me) can be so clueless. My husband has quit trying to raise awareness at work. He said he is frustrated that they don’t seem to be planning anything or all that concerned about the potential danger. Like you we plan to shelter in place. Let me know if you get that laptop power thing worked out. A power supply is my big concern.

Poppy---did you ever buy some of the Kirkland canned Roast Beef from Costco? If so, check the letter I got from them…

http://www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Forum.FOODRECALLFROMCOSTCO

Hi Bill, Yeah I got the letter. I had only bought one package to try it out. Mine was fine. I went back for more the other day but none in the store, then found their letter in the mailbox when I got home. At least I know why there was none in the store.

Well, I will no longer be a california prepper after March 30th.

I’m moving to Denver, and we’ve decided, that against it all, we’re moving into the city.

There’s definite risks in that, but we love the city, and I feel that having a huge secure basement as well as an attic provides some extra storage & security options. Plus, we can store guns all over the house. I think we’ll be fine if TSHTF.

I keep browsing the news around here. SEems to be slowly spreading. I’m starting to think that H5N1 and the pandemic will creep into this country as a silent killer at first.

I just hope it holds off until we move.

Sorry to see you go Kristy. Maybe it was meant to be though. Good luck in Denver. I think it is a nice city with much to offer and hope the pluses will be on your side.

Kristy---remember this: the water in the basement, and the dry goods in the attic!!! :-) Have a safe move…maybe I’ll pass by there on my way to Virginia in the next 60–90 days!

Just popping in to say hi, and doing my daily news catch up. I’ve not prepped over the last week or so becuase of the move. The movers say we cannot transport/pack up the lamp oils & propane tanks [understandable] so I’ve held off until we get to Denver in 3 weeks.

BroncoBill - We’re using the Attic as a bedroom. It’s just one large room. The supplies will have to go into the basement. Is there anything wrong with this? Suggestions? I’m new to this whole “basement” thing!!! lol.

I know this may sound strange with me moving into a huge urban area all of a sudden, but I feel oddly more at ease with the house that we’ll be in. We will not be in an apartment anymore, our house is built of strong brick instead of the flimsy stucco & drywall that I’ve been raised inside. We have an attic & a basement inside a 4 story fortress style home, as well as plenty of places to put our guns & to protect our house.

Once we get there though, I think I will make it a point to invest in some thick plywood & nails that we can hammer over the windows in the case of a quarentine situation.

I do have my reservations about moving to a big city, but in reality, I don’t think its much different than living in Orange County. The people here are so awful that I can’t imagine they’d be anything but selfish & horrible during an emergency.

Anyway, I hope your prepping is going well. I will be checking back in soon. We’ve pretty much gotten a great head start on prepping, but we still are very short on propane, lamp oils, candles, and comfort foods. That’s next. =]

Ps. I got a membership to Costco. best thing I’ve spent $50 on in a very long time !!!

Kristy one thing to remember is to keep your dry storage dry and your water containers off of cement. From my daughter’s textbook about safe dry storage of foods:

Dry storage: Storage to hold dry and canned foods at temperatures between 50OF and 70OF (10OC and 21OC) and at a relative humidity of fifty to sixty percent.

A Hygrometer is an instrument used to measure relative humidity in storage areas. I don’t know exactly where you might find one but it might be a good idea to invest in one for those using basements for food storage.

Darn the formattting! Let me try this again so it makes sense.

From my daughter’s textbook about safe storage/prep of foods:

Dry storage is: Storage to hold dry and canned foods at temperatures between 50 degrees Farenheit and 70 degrees Farenheit (10 degrees Centigrade and 21 degrees Centigrade) and at a relative humidity of fifty to sixty percent.

A Hygrometer is an instrument used to measure relative humidity in storage areas. I don’t know exactly where you might find one but it might be a good idea to invest in one for those using basements for food storage.

Hi Kristy, Hi Poppy---say, Poppy…are you SURE you want to keep your canned foods at 500F? (five hundred???) :-) :-)

Anyway, Kristy, does the home disclosure mention anything at all about ever having water in the basement? Check the floor for any signs of leakage or water damage…if there had been any, you will find stains on the cement floor. If the floor is tiled, you will eventually notice that the floor may seem damp…that’s the humidity settling. To keep your preps off the floor, one of the cheapest ways is to go visit the local grocery store or home center. Have them give you some of those 4 foot by 4 foot pallets. Place these on the floor and put your preps on top. This should keep everything about 4 - 6 inches off the ground. I know I know---I like pallets…they’re cheap!

I’m not sure how humid it gets in Denver in the summertime, but if it does go up, you will notice mildew very quickly on just about everything down there. When we got back to CA from CT, we were still cleaning mildew off of things. In the basement, don’t store anything like large amounts of paper, books, etc. Try to keep any charcoal either outside in a shed, or use it fairly quickly. Now, remember, I’m basing this on summer temps in CT of about 90–95 degrees and humidity of up around 75–90%. Thunderstorm weather.

Get a small sump pump and have it easily accessible…if you should ever get more than a half inch of water in the basement, it will be a lifesaver!

You’re sleeping in the attic? That may change once summer gets here---that’ll be the hottest part of the house, so set up some fans and open some windows!

Happy to see another satisfied Costco customer….. :-)

Glad to see your move is just about over…mine has just begun. Wife is heading back to VA next week for a job, and our house is now on the market….I just keep praying that BF waits until we get moved!!! I certainly don’t want to get quarantined in some place like TX!!

Yeah I know! :−0 I hope the moderators will remove that one. I was doing a copy and paste from my daughter’s terms work for her class. She is taking a serv-safe course. This is a course to help people learn what they need for food safety to pass the test needed for owning a restaurant. Helping her type up her terms to study from for her semi-final made me realize that my garage gets too hot to safely store many food preps during the summer (think I’ll read some more of that book). It gets like an oven out there, very stuffy. Probably many other’s garages as well. We have a steel garage door which seems to be the culprit (it faces the sun until afternoon). I don’t know that insulating it will be of much help. That means I have to figure out a better place to store some of our preps. Looks like it’s time for a major cabinet cleaning.

Poppy---It can be a pain to get to, but do you have a crawlspace under your house, or is it slab concrete? If there is even 2 feet of crawlspace under there, it stays pretty cool even in the summer. I think I have an idea of which town you’re in, so you and I are in the same boat in that respect…

You can get insulation for metal roll-up style garage doors. And one other idea: in San Jose, our house faced south. My dad got one of those “whirly-gig” vents and mounted it on the roof over the garage---brought the summer-time temps down about 10–15 degrees!!! You might look into that…

Well, I havn’t even seen the house, so I’m not sure what condition the basement is in. I know that it doesn’t get all that humid in Denver though. Its in between a dry and humid heat.

I do know that the basement is carpeted, and there’s a storage room down there also. I guess I will just have to get some of those pallats to store the boxes on.

As for the attic, there’s 2 ceiling fans & two windows up there, so it’ll be okay I think in the heat =]

We have movers moving our stuff, and they did take a look at my preps (they just look like normal bins & boxes inside a storage closet) and they didn’t say anything. They didn’t say anything about the 50 gallons of water I have hanging out on my patio either. hopefully it won’t be an issue for them.

Bill - When are you planning your move? I’m sure you’re anxious to get going. For me, I’m frustrated because I want to continue prepping, but wtih the move coming, I just don’t think its all that wise. I think I will order more P100 mask filters though. Actually, I guess we’re not doing too bad. I do feel that I need to purchase more Sambucol, and maybe some other medicines that are easily movable without disrupting anything =]

I hope all is well with everyone & their preps!!

Oops! That was me!

Kristy---dump the water! You can get more when you get to Denver. That 50 gallons of water weighs 418 pounds—that’s just shy of a quarter ton!! Most moving companies charge by the pound when they move interstate.

Sounds like, if the basement is carpeted, there shouldn’t be too much of an issue with humidity down there. But do try to get some pallets (did I mention that I LOVE pallets?!?). Sounds like the attic should be okay as a bedroom…

We’re putting our house on the market here in FresNO this weekend. First open house is this Sunday. I’ve pretty much decided that if we don’t sell it within 30 days, we’ll just rent it out and take a tax writeoff for the negative cash flow. Can’t really afford that, but I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to.

Sounds like your plan is a good one. Definetly getting out of California ASAP is the best idea. Like I said, even though I’m moving into an urban area, for whatever reason, I just feel much safer there, than being in california.

Hmmm I didn’t even think about the water. We may take it in our cars. I’d hate to throw it out! We should have room for it in the truck.

One thing I’m REALLY excited about with Denver, is they have a MASSIVE camping world there! As soon as we get there, I’m going to stock up on the Coleman fuels, and camping gear & blankets. Its the largest Camping World I’ve EVER seen. its at least 3 stories high, and it looks like a shopping mall !!!

Kristy---I really recommend tossing the water before you go. Remember? I said over 400 POUNDS!! I’m not sure what kind of truck you’ve got, but even a 1-Ton Super Cargo pickup is gonna strain with that kind of weight concentrated in such a small area. Plus, whatever else you’re gonna carry in it. On top of that, how’re you gonna get it into the truck? If this is a standard barrel type of container, there prob’ly aren’t any handles on it. Make your move easy on yourself. Besides, on the highway, if you should have to stop IN A HURRY!!! that barrel is gonna come right through the cab!! And then you’ll be all wet AND not have the water! ;-)

hmmm all good points. it’ll be so sad to get rid of that stuff though !!! We’ll see. I have the one gallon jugs with handles. I’ll ahve to see how many I have. It may not be too many. I may have over estimated, but still, like you said, water is so heavy.

Y’know, Kristy…I may have jumped the gun with my assumption here. Is your water in a single 50-gal barrel, or in smaller 2–5 gallon containers? If in smaller, then forget what I said, and keep it. If it’s in a single drum, dump it!

Bill - No crawl space. Yeah water tables here in the valley make basements an iffy thing. Although we lived near the islands out in the country in an old farmhouse which had a basement when I was a teen that was surprisingly clean and dry considering it’s location.

This is a rented duplex so we can’t add the vent you suggested, though they do work great. I would move if it were financially feasable right now, as far out in the country as possible. I prefer it to town. Fewer sirens=more peace. I would love to find a place with few neighbors and enough space to do as I please.

My husband and I discussed the storage issue today and decided we have things in the house in closets cabinets etc… that if properly packed up we could move them into the garage and they would still be fine and accessable. So we will be cleaning out the garage a bit more to make more room for those things then cleaning the cabinets, closets and bedrooms to make room for those preps that will be heat sensitive. It’s about time for spring cleaning anyway so it will be getting done as soon as we get some nice weather to work with. We need to throw out a bunch of stuff anyway. So preping is as good a reason to get it done as any.

Poppy---sorry to hear about the vent. I wish we could move out to the country, but alas, we’re only looking at about a 1/2 acre in VA. Still, I don’t have to mow too much grass that way! :-)

Since you can’t do much in the way of changing the house, just put your dry goods (powders, grains, etc) in the garage in boxes. Liquids should stay in the house in closets anyway, since they tend to prefer cool, DARK storage.

Several months ago, while my wife and I were looking here in the area for a house, we found a really great little town up in the Sierra foothills called Tollhouse. A 2200 sq foot single story house on 5 empty acres, with a gorgeous view of the San Joaguin valley, right down into downtown Clovis. We almost got it, but a higher bid came in the night we made our offer. Soooo….here we are, in crowded FresNO, with barking dogs on all 3 sides of us, a main road with two firestations and one ambulance terminal within shouting distance, and several not-so-quiet neighbors! Yeah..I love FresNO!! ;-) HA HA…can’t wait to get moved back east.

Hmmmmm…I was just thinkin’---maybe we should ask the Mods to rename this thread “the Poppy, Kristy n’ Bill” thread! :-)

Laughing. Yeah but your’e both moving away and leaving Poppy all by herself. :-(

Wow that place in Tollhouse sounds nice. Too bad you were out-bid. That veiw sounds awesome. I haven’t been to Fresno in over 10 years. I have reasons to go but so hate the drive I usually avoid it if I can find an excuse. They have a state rabbit convention coming up April 1&2 in Fresno. I would like to make that one but it’s just not going to happen, we’re saving for the Mini Rex Convention later that month. Monterey in April (or any month) is more appealing than Fresno.

I feel for you on the barking dogs. Our neighbor used to have one. So many times I had to be stopped from shoooting that dog. Nothing against dongs in general. I’ve had my share but any dog that barks constantly needs a muzzle. We live near a main street here so we get lots of siren noises.

Actually my husband gets these metal cans at work. They come with their desiccant packs in them (in a heavy plastic bag in the can). Normally the company just tosses them so if anyone wants to take them home they don’t care as it saves them money. Each can holds about 25lbs when we use them for rabbit feed. So he is trying to lay his hands on as many as he can. Since they have an airtight/watertight seal which latches down they are great for storing all those dry foods. Since we already have a bunch of them around here none of the neighbors would think twice about seeing more.

Nothing against dongs in general. Oops! Dogs! I meant dogs!

Freudian slip?

“Nothing against dongs in general. I’ve had my share…”

Uhm…I’ve lost my entire train of thought!!!

LOL!!!! That was the best slip up I’ve seen in quite a while!!!

Thank you for the laugh Poppy ;)

Bill - yeah we havn’t purchased a drum for water yet. We do intend to once in Denver. My boyfriend has promsied that he will make our house a fortress. He isn’t all that much into the whole bird flu thing, but he does have fun prepping & getting ready for “war” or whatever may come our way. Thank goodness for that at least. I don’t care WHY he does it, as long as he does it. =]

Hey Kristy---I can just picture your b/f now: WWII army helmet all askew, running around trying to ward off little influenza evil-doers with a miniaturized machine gun, tiny little hand grenades hanging from his suspenders! LOL

Freudian slip? No that was just fast fingers and slow eyes.

Hello from the Gold Country! Just an F.Y.I. If you’re interested in buying the “Nanomask” variety of face mask (Emergency Filtration Products Inc.) They have a distributor located in Manteca warehouse park area, off 99–5 connector. I personally picked-up 3 sets there… very friendly folks. They now seem to be the only distributor of a new option, the “2-H” mask which uses same material, but no seal (marketing to Asian Travelers). Call them for hours & directions at: 2H Distributors. The owner is the manufacturer’s brother-in-law.

Yosemite Gal- You wouldn’t happen to have the contact info for that distributer in Manteca? I would rather have to make the drive there and pick some up than to order it and wait for it to come in the mail.

Found it myself. Posting address and Phone # for all.

2H Distributors 708 Industrial Park Drive Manteca, CA 95337 (209) 824–7822

Poppy…Glad you found it…Was off line last couple days…we got a foot of snow Saturday! Whatever happens with BF…survival gear will also help folks when Global Warming gets to really funky! With the poles melting at this rapid rate…They predict up to 21′ (yes feet) rise in ocean levels by the time the kids are older. I wouldn’t buy ocean-front real estate ANYWHERE. Sometimes it feels like a. Y2K, b. 9–11/terrorism and even Bird Flu…will be a preparation for what’s REALY coming down the road.The Mayans/Aztecs believed that the “End of the World” as we know it, was arriving in 2012–2013. Oil Peak + downward slippery slope & FLU and too many people on the planet…Momma Earth (the Destroyer)”in-the-house!” We hope to be in Hawai`i-nei by then. Hang in there! :)

The Mayans/Aztecs may be right. I’m not sure I would head for Hawai`i-nei with the poles melting. I think I would much rather be up in the Sierras where you are now. Even where we are in the valley may not be very safe for much longer. My hubby and I keep saying that if we live long enough to retire we want to move north. To Oregon, Washington, whatever it takes. The idea is to get out of the valley heat and to somewhere less crowded.

Bill - “Hey Kristy---I can just picture your b/f now: WWII army helmet all askew, running around trying to ward off little influenza evil-doers with a miniaturized machine gun, tiny little hand grenades hanging from his suspenders! LOL”

LOL! I can see it too but hey, I can’t complain. If he wants to control anything with our guns, or boarding up the house, or keeping looters or paniced people away, then by all means, I will let him =]

Today’s flu prep:

I’ve had my eye on the news as usual, and I feel like right now, at least for me in many ways is the calm before the storm. I feel like H5N1 is headed our way like a freight train at this point.

Since I can’t do much stocking up on foods until after we move, I’ve focused my attentions towards more medical supplies. I’ve ordered another North 5500 Half Mask Respirator in size small. So now we have both Small, Medium and a large mask. [basically one extra respirator on hand, just in case]. I’ve also ordered another 5 packs of P100 filters.

Tommorrow I will order eye goggles and probably make another purchase of some Sambucol and if I can afford it…some antibacterials off the net.

Spending money on this stuff is exhausting the pocketbook, but nessesary I feel.

Another day of keeping my eyes on the virus, and crossing my fingers.

Kristy in CA (soon to be Kristy in CO!!) What did you decide to do with your water?

We’ve got our house on the market now, and I’m watching the news VERY closely. Hope your move is a safe one. My wife is flying back to VA this weekend to interview and find us a house, and it’s looking more and more like this move is going be very closely timed with the emergence of BF here in CA. I’m really hoping to get out while the “gittin’ is good”! I’ll be driving across the southern route, through TX and the gulf states. So, that said---all you folks in the south, when I leave, please, please cancel ALL tornadoes and hurricanes until I get to the East Coast! Thanks so much…I really appreciate it. I’ll let ya know when I’m leaving. ;-)

LOL! Funny stuff.

Yeah wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about hurricaines & such on your drive? I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that nothing rears its ugly head!!

Yeah, we’re out of here in 2.5 weeks. Everytime I start to feel sad about moving, or start to second guess my descision, I think about Long Beach…and Los Angeles…and how most scientists are predicting California to be the hot spot for the united states. No thanks! I’m outta here!

With the emergence of BF all over the news, I’ve decided to continue prepping as much as I can. I fear that if I wait to finish up on the important stuff until after we move to Denver, the shelves will already be on short supply.

I think people are wising up & starting to purchase supplies now, and I don’t want to be left hanging in the end!

Prep on Preppers!!! =)

Kristy---I will promise you, based on my own experience being from CA and moving to CT in 2000, that you will miss CA tremendously. You’ll see something on TV, or a news site will say something about L.A…..something will trigger an emotional response in your head. IGNORE IT!! :-) I started watching The O.C. on Thursday nites when it first came out, and I got so homesick for CA that I jumped at the chance to take a xfer back out here. I just didn’t realize what FresNO had turned into since the last time I was here back in 1998!!!

You’re gonna get heartsick missing what you had in CA: sunshine, the ocean, the mountains. OTOH—You’ll have some of the best views of the Rockies, and great skiing!!! Good Luck…

NBC News on Bird Flu prep and the CA summit:

“Much of the preparation that people need to take on a personal level for bird flu include having a supply of food and water, similar precautions taken to prepare for an earthquake. As for California preparedness, Leavitt will be back in California for a bird flu summit at the end of March. State leaders including the governor will attend the summit. “

http://www.nbc11.com/health/8007355/detail.html?rss=bay&psp=news

Maybe we can get a glimpse of CA state preparedness plans (if there is any)…

SuzyQ – at 20:49 — DemFromCT pointed me to where all the state plans are on this site, but stupid me, I forgot where I put ‘em. So, here’s a different link to a thread with the CA plan linked in a post:

http://www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Forum.NewCaliforniaPandemicPlan

Stupid Cookies!!

The end of march may be too late.

I’m on my way to the R.E.I. Camping store. THe situation in India has scared the socks right off me. Moving across state or not, I’m continuing my preps.

Who knows if we’ll even have that long.

I can only hope that the 2000+ people that came down with fevers in India are sick from something else. Somehow I dont’ think we’ll get THAT lucky.

Thanx anonymous! I checked out the document. Pretty hard to dig through the dry material…risk assessment (liability,etc.), departmental flow charts, sequence of vaccine applications, etc. Was interested in finding out what they considered trigger events to trigger a quarantine (including public facilities like schools closing…).

Well, more prepping has been done today.

I bought a fold up water container, ultra water-proof matches, a duracell alkaline lantern and some D Batteries, also another metal lantern & some wicks, a giant container of Citronella oil, a sewing kit, hand warmers, 9 hour burning candles, and 100 tea light candles.

On the food end, I stocked up on more rice & beans (vomit!), and some grape jelly, two huge costco penut butter jars, an 8 pack of condensed milk, and a few other things that I can’t remember.

I think we’re good on providing light if the power goes out. I still need to stock up on A LOT more bleach. I think thats a must have in a pandmic.

I’m trying to figure out how I can also set up a sick room…

TOo much to think about.

WHAT?!? Somebody SPAMMED the Poppy, Kristy n’ Bill thread?!? Why…I never! The indiginity of it all!

Kristy - “something will trigger an emotional response in your head.”

Bill is so right. Once you move immerse yourself in all that Colorado has to offer. Make it your home, not the place where you live. Then when you see some news report about sunny beaches in California while it is snowing outside in Colorado, you won’t even miss this state.

I know of what I speak. I escaped my hometown once, then let myself be drawn back. Next time I leave, there will be no looking back.

Kristy’s comment about getting more bleach reminded me that in my typical LA apartment I don’t have room for a lot of bleach. Is there anywhere in the US to get those dry bleach tablets that the Brits are talking about?

Kristy, BroncoBoncoBillBull and Poppy. I just completed reading all of the posts above. What a great crew! I felt at times that I was reading the script of a reality show ;-) I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from reading all of the hear-felt, passionate, well thought out ideas that you folks have. Kristy - good luck in Colorado. I think you made the right decision as well. I had hoped my sister would get out of Upland, CA - but not a chance…she’s a prepper, though. I don’t really have anything to else to add - just thanks for making it interesting.

Poppy – at 16:31 --- I escaped my hometown once, then let myself be drawn back. Next time I leave, there will be no looking back.

Exactly my circumstances. That’s why, this time, as my wife and I get ready to move to VA, there WILL be no turning back. Besides that, it’s just too damned expensive to keep moving cross-country!! BTW—I put her on a plane last night from Oakland to VA…one way ticket. She’s already interviewed for a job there, and as soon as I sell this ol’ house, I’m outta here, too. And ya know what? I’m actually looking forward to driving there this time…

mmmelody47 – at 12:05 --- Thanks from all us here at The FluWiki Hour. Come back soon for more rollicking fun!!! :-) I, too, have a learned a lot here…and I ain’t nowhere near done yet!

Hi Bill, Sounds like you have finally decided where home is. Hopefully you will get your house sold soon. With the weather (hopefully) improving the market should be picking up. Don’t forget your curb appeal, some fresh annuals in the beds might lure in the buyers.

Can you tell I’m sick of rain and ready to play in the dirt? The sunshine today has been so welcome. My eldest son and I spent several hours running around Modesto buying groceries and rabbit feed. The Costco there has dried blueberries! Yum. Great for preps. They can be used for pancakes and muffins and…. I want bags of them.

I hope you enjoy the drive back to Virginia. Watch out for those fires in the Texas/Oklahoma area. My mom is from up in the Texas panhandle and I still have family there so those fires are making me worry for them. At least they are all out of farming now. I hope you will still visit the California thread and let us know how things are going for you back there.

I wish there was some way to get this tuna loving troll off of FluWiki. Maybe the child will grow gills and swim to some other forum.

removed.

Thanks Dem

Poppy – at 19:31 ---I hope you will still visit the California thread…

California will always be my home, but as I’ve mentioned before, I just need to get out of the crowd. It’s amazing to me that so many people still want to move here and think CA is truly nirvana. It’s not…anymore. :-( The state’s broke, the cities are all way overcrowded, real estate is outrageously expensive, and wages are nowhere what they need to be to make a living AND afford a decent lifestyle. I look back and I’m in awe of my parents and how they did it…I remember how my folks used to panic every month when they had to pay the mortgage on our house in San Jose---$215 a month!!!!!!! My goodness, how times have changed…

Thanks for the hints on the house…last weekend we had our first open house. About 2 dozen folks rolled through and really liked it, and now that the house around the corner has sold, ours is the only one on the marked in this area. My wife and I are both licensed RE agents, so we know how much work it’s gonna take to get our asking price…

And you’d better believe that I’ll stay tuned here to the California Preppers….er, I mean, the Poppy, Kristy ‘n Bill thread :-) Once I get to VA, I’m probably gonna start a VA Preppers thread. I’m pretty sure Melanie will pop in now and then….

Hey there preppers!! =D

I realized it’d been a couple days since I’d checked in on the BF news.

Busy studying for finals, and of course packing for Denver. Plus trying to find someone to take over the lease on my apartment. *whew* Too much to do at once, I tell you!

My dear boyfriend bought a needless “prep” item yesterday. But one that I’m not complaining about. ;] He bought a 56″ inch HD Flatscreen tv that he insists will come in handy during a pandemic LOL. (assuming we have electricity of course. Like I said…no complaints here ;)

BroncoBill - Glad to hear things are coming along with your relocation as well!! I’m finally at a peaceful place with our move, and I’m honestly just ready to get the heck out of here ASAP. Luckily, only 10 more days to go. =] Also, I agree with you 100% about what you said about California. Hopefully it’ll return to the golden state that it once was. Maybe someday…

mmmelody47 – at 12:05 - Thank you for your kind words =] Luckily Upland isn’t all too bad (is it?). I’m fairly close to that area. There’s some beautiful brand new homes out there.

I do have a prep question… I purchased a lantern. its just a solid metal old fashioned lantern where you put the oil in the bottom, and stick a wick in it. I am having one hell of a time finding wicks! Any suggestions on where to get them? I’ve already tried wallmart, target, and the grocery store. No such luck.

Kristy, if it has a flat, kind of braided looking wick, K-Mart carries them, at least around here. Otherwise you might check here http://www.oillampman.com/Page15.html

Kristy---check with some of the camping supply stores also. And!! Antique shops! I’ve seen some that carry extra wicks for the…ahem!…ANTIQUE oil lamps that they sell,

Our moving prep is going along well. My wife looked at that house that I sorta, kinda have my heart set on back in VA. She LIKED it!! All I need now is to sell the one here in lovely FresNO!

Tell your “dear boyfriend” that I LIKE his way of thinking! Makes my 50″ TV look small….:-)

I will have to check out Kmart then. Or maybe I’ll just take the entire lantern into Ace Hardware, and see if they know what size it needs. I”m just worried about buying online, and it being the wrong size.

Bill - Glad to hear that your wife like the house you’re rooting for! =] Are you going to make an offer on it?

and the TV…the darn thing is sitting next to me all wrapped up & waiting to be used. Sadly we can just stare at its blank screen for now. There’s no way we’re going to set it all up, then move it in a week. So, we probably won’t even get to enjoy the darn thing until the 2nd week of April.

=/

oh yes, one more thing:

I need to buy one of those food savers. Any ideas where I can get one?

Kristy - I love your boyfriend’s idea of a prep item. ;) I just bought some extra wicks for my lanterns at Walmart. They are in the candles section. While there check out the 60 hour candles they have. They also have the Food Savers at Walmart. Good luck with finals (already!) and with your move.

And while you’re at it, Kristy, be sure to pick up extry bagging material for your Food Saver. I’ve always wanted a Food Saver, but up ‘til now, could never justify the cost of having to keep buying extra bagging supplies. I think my mind may have been changed just by reading all the great input here on the Wiki.

Poppy - Thanks! Got one Final over with tonight. Counting down until the rest are done :)

I will have to take a trip to Walmart tommorrow & look for a food saver. I have a feeling I’ll have fun with that thing lol. I’ll go on a prepping/bagging rampage! haha

One more thing:

I was just poking around the net, looking for Bird Flu related docs for Colorado [my new home state]

I breathed a sign of relief to see that they are at least addresing the issue of a pandemic, if not telling people to get ready. Not only that, they have their own website for preparing for any/all types of emergencies, including pandemic.

www.Readycolorado.Com

and an article I found. Needless to say, I’m feeling much warmer in my heart about Colorado than California. California has their heads up their asses with this whole pandemic. Perhaps what Paris Hilton had for breakfast is more important than the country facing a pandemic.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_4539932,00.html

This morning stuff about Bird flu has been all over the news on channel 10 out of Sacramento. Apparently there was some meeting up there yesterday, while Arnold was at a fundraising dinner down south.

I was wondering, does everyone have a itemized, detailed inventory of their supplies?

Kristy in CA – at 04:30 --- Perhaps what Paris Hilton had for breakfast is more important than the country facing a pandemic.

I was thinking that it was the fault of BrAnjolina not getting married!! LOL!

My inventory was just mightily expanded by Owl today!!!

http://www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Forum.OwlsNestPrepSupplyList

Yes. I have a list I have made for the items I want to get, what size to purchase and where, what the price is. I have a column for quantity needed and amount purchased. If two stores have the same or similar item and a close price I have both listed with the store having the best price highlighted. I just update it as I go along. I started with a notebook, writing the information down and now it is an excel spreadsheet on my computer with pages divided by category. My toiletries list is pretty specific as each family member has their own preferences for shampoo, antiperspirant, etc.. It’s still very much a work in progress but then I got a late start. FYI: Walmart’s Equate brand of pain relievers is generally better priced than Costco. The exception I found was Kirkland’s version of Imodium. Food Max sells flour and sugar in 25lb bags that is cheaper than Costco’s price. Smart and Final has some of the best buys on dry beans, many of which come in 5lb resealable zip bags.

A question for the californians- If it gets really bad, but I have enough sugar for my hummingbird feeder(s), do you think my neighbors would notice if i kept filling them? ;−0

anonymous – at 20:57 --- Strange question. Not if you do it at night.

I have a friend who works for the California Dept. of Health Services. If anyone’s thinking that CA DHS will be of any help, think again. I just got an email from him that they’re recruiting more volunteers for the “VEST” program: Volunteer Emergency Services Team. These are State employees that are pulled from their regular jobs to work at the relief centers in an emergency. The team had been 70 employees, and now they’re looking to ramp up to a whopping 100! This is a STATE TOTAL. He also says that DHS is basically incompetent. He says he’s never been around such a mediocre bunch of managers in his life. ALL CALIFORNIANS: Unless you have a particularly well-prepared county or city government, you WILL BE, for all intents and purposes, on your own.

SoCal - This is good to know, disheartening, but good we know it. I for one have little faith in our county as our town is usually left out of many county plans, it’s like we’re some poor step sibling in this county. Our area supervisor for this county is useless and I told him so very bluntly about a year ago. They only plans our county seemed to be making at all was where to hold large scale vaccinations. Only one person from our town even went, the fire chief. Our mayor, is the soon to be retiring chief exec of the local hospital. Of all people who one would think has a clue and maybe a plan, he is the last one I would expect. I think the man is an idiot more interested in kissing the rear of developers than he is much else. So I guess I pretty much knew we would be on our own from the start, if only because I feel our leadership in this area is so lacking.

I did not vote/have never voted for either the supervisor or the mayor, both are incumbents getting by on name recognition.

lol @ bronco bill. i’m sure celebrity love lives will be of no importance once an emergency of any sort strikes. Maybe it’ll wake some people up to their stupidity.

I also have an excel spreadsheet of my supplies. I was thinking of posting it up in here for cross referencing, but I’m not sure how, so oh well.

We found a dead Cooper’s Hawk in the yard yesterday. I called the County, left a voicemail and an epidemiologist called back within 15 minutes! It was a few minutes to 5. He said the bird would be picked up the next morning, and sure enough, someone picked it up before 7 a.m. this morning. He said it was probably West Nile, if it was any virus at all. But, more interestingly, when I asked about H5N1, he said, quite nonchalantly, “oh, that’ll be here in the fall.”

“oh that’ll be here in the fall”!? are you kidding? What an idiot to be so non-chalant.

I keep reading about dead birds being noticed everywhere, and I wonder if there’s a reason for that, or if people’s attention to dead birds is heightened? There sure does seem to be a lot of reports of them though. Very odd.

Just popping in to see if any of the other California people are still here. I had not been able to post in so long even before the server switch that I nearly gave up on FluWiki. I have been reading Jon Barry’s book “The Great Influenza.” I can see where the military really screwed up and helped to spread the pandemic, only partly through poor communication. Then there was the covering up of facts, the corruption, greed and ignorance that also helped to spread the disease. I’ve also been doing some genealogy with the focus being on my husband’s maternal grandmother. She died on December 5, 1918 at age 29, just a little over a month shy of her 30th birthday. Cause of death is listed as pneumonia. In Barry’s book he states that it was the pneumonia caused by the flu which killed the people, sometimes in mere hours. It would seem that a pneumonia vaccination would be a good idea for everyone. Even if there is no flu vaccine for the flu that H5N1 will cause, the pneumonia vaccine is always available and from what I have read just may be a person’s saving grace.

I asked a friend who works for Kaiser Hospital as a RN (31 years) what was being done where she works and she said she remembers some talk about it a few months ago but nothing really.

WHAT!!!!! I was in shock. So, this tells me that Kaiser isn’t prepared or at least her hospital and her department aren’t. Now mind you she is a Charge Nurse and if there is a plan in place, and she isn’t listening or reading the directive (if there is one) then no one else is in her department. How many more departments at the hospital aren’t paying attention?

REGARDING DAMP BASEMENTS IN DENVER: Buy a de-humidifier. Sears sells them. And probably Home Depot. They will run over $100. You can attach a hose to some models and direct the water into a floor drain. They will keep the basement quite dry enough for food storage. Storing food in a cool basement will prolong the shelf life. Do not store dry foods, flour, cereal, sugar, mixes, etc. in a basement (in summer)if you do not have a de-humidifier. They may mold from excess moisture. Consider placing dry beans and rice into those big metal popcorn tins. It will keep insects and rodents out. If you should lose heat in winter during the pandemic, move into the basement. You will be below the frostline and warmer in the basement. Heat the basement with a kerosene heater…or install a wood stove down there now.. Vent it properly. Lay in a big supply of wood or kerosene. And buy sleeping bags, stocking caps, long jons, and wool socks. Close the door to the upstairs so the heat will remain in the basement. Move anything that will be damaged by freezing into the basement, especially bottled and canned items. They will expand and burst if frozen. So buy a lot of shelving for the basement. Cover the floors with rugs or carpets. Basement floors and walls get cold. Consider insulating the walls, then paneling over them.

For Californians. In my opinon, the Guvernators move to reorganize the public health section of DHS in Sacramento to respond to disasters is going to cause chaos and create a smoke screen. I had a conversation with my county supervisor over coffee a few weeks ago and came away with the feeling that its easier for them to have their heads in the sand that be proactive. I gently reminded her that she can say anything if its packaged correctly. In my county its real clear that its every man for himself and that shelter in place is the most viable option. Like every where else, there are not enough beds, masks, venilators and no Tamiflu.

I am also having conversations with a couple of Fire Chiefs I know, but so far I don’t see too much in the way of planning beyond normal disaster planning advice.

ZIA – at 21:45 --- Cover the floors with rugs or carpets.

Pallets. I’m tellin’ ya… They’re usually free at the grocery or soft goods stores, and they keep things off the floor.

Poppy!! Long time, no see! Glad to see you’re (prob’ly) still just north of me here in the belly-button of California!! Glad to see on some of the recent posts that Kristy made it to CO…hope she doesn’t forget about us po’ folk here in Rainy Cali!!!

Hey there Bronco. I came to post in this topic the other day, but it was still on my last post, so I figured you guys hadn’t been around. =] Glad the wiki is back !!!!

I did indeed make it to Denver. Sadly we had to leave all our water behind, but we got all our supplies here safe and sound. [much to the movers dismay. I heard a few mumbled about how heavy the plastic containers were! lol]

oh well!

We still need to get some pallets for the basement. We’ve been adjusting to the altitude and getting situated in the house, and figuing out how to get to the grocery store & back!

Our next purchase will be some wood for the downstairs windows, in case of a really panic situation, although I’m starting to not worry about that much.

Anyways, we’re here and happy. Ill probably still post in this topic since I still feel like a Californian ;)

I hope you’re well & your move is going great also!!!

Hi Bill Yep, I’m still north of you. I’ve been lurking but it is good to be back and able to post again. I’m still hoping to get a garden started but it’s only been a few days that we have not had rain every day/every other day. I just finally got the weeds out of the flower beds in the front yard a few days ago. Right now I’m working on the top priority of getting the outside shelter up for the rabbits before my daughter and I drive down to our convention/rabbit show in Monterey this weekend. The bunnies have to be protected from the sun, the wind, and now birds (and the #*@%! opposums). We are not taking them all so we have to make accomodations for those being left behind in the warm weather. They would quickly get too hot in the garage. I just hope the guys check on them often since we will be getting such a fast warm up. I’ll probably burn up my cell phone minutes just checking up on that.

I found out one interesting thing. I went to Dom’s in Livermore the other day to check out some supplies. The sell the #10 cans from Mountain House Foods. The tinned emergency candles they sell at Dom’s (great to keep in the car) start at $3.99 and only last for 12 hours. I have been getting little tinned scented candles from Michael’s craft srore for $1 and they last just as long for one fourth of the price. That folks is my best prepping tip of the week. Now make sure to leave some for me.

Zia-You should NEVER put carpet anyplace where moisture could be a problem, such as a basement, the nasty stuff that will grow in wet or even damp carpet will ruin anything it touches and make you very sick.

JPT-That is good to know about Kaiser because if they are not sharing any plans they might have with even their Charge Nurses then they either don’t have one or they will be rushing to impliment plans at the last minute. Not good for their patients.

Hi Nancy - I am like you a little concerned that the governor’s changes to DHS could create organizational problems if pandemic flu hits us sooner rather than later but I support his idea. I think he has thought this one through and is genuinely trying to do the right thing. I know it is an election year but the man really does seem to be working on trying to strengthen California to deal with any number of disasters. I say this not because I am a republican but because I have been listening to his voice inflections and watching his facial expressions when he has been discussing these issues. I think recent events with the flooding concerns up in this part of the state made him realize how much danger there is. Living down south he knew about the danger from earthquakes but he now realizes we have that coupled with a levee system I wouldn’t trust to protect my worst enemy. As for local concerns. Like you I think our county has almost no plans in place at all. My town even less. At least none of any real use. None of my plans include relying on my county or local government in any emergency. I make my plans based on who I can trust and I trust my husband, my kids, and myself. Those are the people I know without a doubt I can rely on.

Kristy, I’m laughing at your comment about the movers. ;) I bet they would have gripped even more if they knew about all those preps. Glad you arrived and are getting settled in. I bet even Denver is a nice change from So. California. Good luck in your new place.

If you’re in San Diego County, take note. I’m taking a disaster preparedness course put on by the County. It’s 4 hours a day for 5 classes, every other Saturday. Not a word about prep for a pandemic, though. Just wildfires, terrorism, and the like. I’ll let everyone know if, by the end of the course, they start mentioning pandemics.

SoCal - At least they are doing something to help citizens prep for disasters. The course should be useful even if they don’t mention pandemics. I bet by the end you will see ways you can apply what you are learning about prepping for those other disasters to pandemics yourself.

Does anyone have any idea what the criminal courts will do in a pandemic? Jails will undoubtedly be a breeding ground for the disease. And if there is a general panic, the already crowded system will be even worse. Yet, the Constitution guarantees everyone his or her day in court. I’m concerned for everyone involved in the court system, from the bailiffs, to the clerks, to the judges, to the juries, and the lawyers who try to uphold the judicial system. Would the Constitution be “suspended?” I haven’t read anything on this in the government’s official sites.

Does anyone have any idea what the criminal courts will do in a pandemic? Jails will undoubtedly be a breeding ground for the disease. And if there is a general panic, the already crowded system will be even worse. Yet, the Constitution guarantees everyone his or her day in court. I’m concerned for everyone involved in the court system, from the bailiffs, to the clerks, to the judges, to the juries, and the lawyers who try to uphold the judicial system. Would the Constitution be “suspended?” I haven’t read anything on this in the government’s official sites.

Ask New Orleans.

They are living it every day.

Their court and jail systems are still not functional, almost 1 year later.

BTW.. Hello from the Central California Coast.

bump - how are your personal and community preparations going?

Long thread closed and continued here