Coronavirus prep

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Replies

  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I would think the concern and urge to accumulate supplies is (possibly) less about the pending apocalypse or a global pandemic wiping out massive portions of the population, and more that even now there are supply chain issues (In some sectors) due to the number of ill and quarantined workers overseas (particularly, but not exclusively in China).

    Even aspirin becomes a commodity when the factories that make it are closed and local supplies dwindle and can’t be replenished.

    I live in a state that is still shell shocked from multiple periods where grocery stores & gas stations were inaccessible for weeks after storms (no power) and nobody here is making a run for those kinds of supplies (yet).
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    NicbPNW wrote: »
    I'm in Washington state, pretty close to the confirmed cases and yes, I'm a tad worried. Not in a panic, but being cautious. I have little kids and have asthma myself so I don't want any of us catching ANYTHING that could land us in the hospital.

    I'm wondering why is everyone stockpiling toilet paper?!?! That is selling out as quick as water around here!

    That could be related to P&G's announcement that they expect disruption in their supply chain, which include toilet paper.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited March 2020
    Duck_Puddle wrote: »
    I would think the concern and urge to accumulate supplies is (possibly) less about the pending apocalypse or a global pandemic wiping out massive portions of the population, and more that even now there are supply chain issues (In some sectors) due to the number of ill and quarantined workers overseas (particularly, but not exclusively in China).

    Even aspirin becomes a commodity when the factories that make it are closed and local supplies dwindle and can’t be replenished.

    I live in a state that is still shell shocked from multiple periods where grocery stores & gas stations were inaccessible for weeks after storms (no power) and nobody here is making a run for those kinds of supplies (yet).

    Ya, a few days ago I was looking for an item to get my walmart.com order up to the free shipping minimum of $35, thought of the ibuprofen I get from Walmart, and that was OOS. Might be a coincidence, might not.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    edited March 2020
    DancingMoosie wrote: »
    We just got some extra dry beans, rice, and gallon jugs of water. We aren't really afraid of the virus, but more of the panicked shoppers that might clear the shelves, lol.

    I’m glad I bought rice and beans and lots of water last week. I had no idea I was supposed to.
    I was out of rice, beans were on sale, and someone suggested electrolyte water or Gatorade for my leg cramps. I hate Gatorade, so I bought a couple of bottles of every other kind of electrolyte drinks, as well as water.
    I guess that means I’m good to go?

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    whmscll wrote: »
    I don’t understand why people are stockpiling water. It’s not like the municipal water supply is suddenly going ro get turned off or infected with virus. I’m in CA and always have extra shelf-stable food on hand because of earthquake preparedness. Not to mention wildfire threats and PG&E power shutdowns. We picked up a few extra things yesterday so if we get any flu-like symptoms we can self-quarantine at home without having to go out and spread our germs around, whether they’re run of the mill flu or coronavirus. But y’all gotta quit watching the news, taking a few precautions is prudent but there is no reason to strip the store shelves.

    It's because several media reports this weekend told people they didn't need masks but they should get food, water, and OTC medicine appropriate for the flu and too many people just jumped on that without thinking "Wait, why do I need water?"
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,304 Member
    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    paperpudding wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    While is is mainly on the West coast today in the USA one article said it will be spreading the month of March and April to the rest of the country. Thankfully spring time is coming.

    What does spring have to do with it?


    Influenza epidemics usually abate in warmer weather.

    This probably accounts for the slowing of cases in China where winter is over

    China actually did a really good job on the containment side, because they made people stay home ( + 1 for Communism). That's why it's slowing there.

    yes, that too - effective containment measures strictly enforced.

    But nevertheless the pattern of all influenzas is a spike in winter, abating as warmer weather hits - hence the relevance of Spring.

  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Duck_Puddle wrote: »
    more that even now there are supply chain issues (In some sectors) due to the number of ill and quarantined workers overseas (particularly, but not exclusively in China).

    This wouldn't explain the stocking up on non perishable food, though. I think it's more the fear of being stuck in the house for one reason or another.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited March 2020
    whmscll wrote: »
    I don’t understand why people are stockpiling water. It’s not like the municipal water supply is suddenly going ro get turned off or infected with virus. I’m in CA and always have extra shelf-stable food on hand because of earthquake preparedness. Not to mention wildfire threats and PG&E power shutdowns. We picked up a few extra things yesterday so if we get any flu-like symptoms we can self-quarantine at home without having to go out and spread our germs around, whether they’re run of the mill flu or coronavirus. But y’all gotta quit watching the news, taking a few precautions is prudent but there is no reason to strip the store shelves.

    Yeah, I drink tap, so see no reason to buy water.

    I am probably going to stockpile toilet paper, but I think that's a good thing to have plenty on hand at all times anyway, and as noted I always do tend to have plenty of canned goods and grains (and dried beans) in my pantry, as well as some frozen stuff in the freezer. I figure that's what a pantry is for!
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited March 2020
    paperpudding wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    While is is mainly on the West coast today in the USA one article said it will be spreading the month of March and April to the rest of the country. Thankfully spring time is coming.

    What does spring have to do with it?


    Influenza epidemics usually abate in warmer weather.

    This probably accounts for the slowing of cases in China where winter is over

    Ah, I see. However, it appears that we don't know if that is the case for this coronavirus yet, however, although it is quite possible.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/health/coronavirus-flu.html

    https://www.sciencealert.com/the-new-coronavirus-could-circulate-forever-says-experts

    "If the coronavirus winds up fluctuating with the seasons like the flu, it could retreat in summer and return in the fall and winter each year.

    'We know respiratory viruses are very seasonal, but not exclusively,' William Schaffner, an infectious-disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, told CNN.

    'One would hope that the gradual spring will help this virus recede. We can't be sure of that.'

    Respiratory viruses are seasonal because cooler temperatures help harden a protective gel-like coating that surrounds the virus particles while they're in the air. A stronger shell allows them to survive long enough in the air to travel from one person to the next."
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    Nony_Mouse wrote: »
    cmriverside wrote: »
    But...


    Okay. I don't have TV and I don't look at the news.

    Ya'll - WHY are people stripping grocery shelves? Are we being locked into our houses? Do they think it is going to blow over in a week? Are all the food supply chains being shut down by the government? I don't understand...you guys are kind of freaking me out but I don't really know why.

    giphy.gif

    Looking at the news (credible) during what is likely the start of a pandemic is probably a good idea. No need to panic, but being informed, and being prepared, is a sensible thing to do. Then you won't have to panic when you realise everyone around you is sick and you can't buy food because all the stores are closed (because all the staff are sick) :)

    I just read the whole WHO website and watched their 36 minute video about it. I still am having trouble panicking.



    I have to go to the grocery tomorrow. My regular grocery store is just a couple blocks away from the nursing facility in Washington that is associated with an outbreak and two have died from this outbreak, I think they've verified over a dozen cases within 2 miles of me. Schools that are less than a mile from me are closed due to this today. Apparently I'm at Ground Zero for the U.S. If I hadn't read this thread I would still be happily unaware. Thanks..@kshama2001
    I think.

    Maybe I'll go to a different grocery store.

    I still feel like there's an awful lot of catastrophizing going on for something that appears to be like the flu in its virulence...and I am old. Oh well, it's been a good life.

    Somebody come check on me in a few days.

    :lol: JK.


    kinda.

    And you'll note I said you don't need to panic, just be prepared. There's a difference.

    Yes, and the thread title and OP specifically refer to prepping.

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