Preparing for the next Pandemic

With the new Coronavirus in the news, its a good time to make sure you have basic supplies on hand that may run low and have inflated prices if things become critical.  I thought of this post when I went on Amazon.com and started searching for face masks.  I always try to do my purchases on a budget, getting the best items at the lowest cost.  I try to buy in good numbers, not overbuy, but decide what amount of product will suffice for three situations: Immediate Need, Fleeing Need, and Long Term Projected Need. Amazon was sold out of the most economical masks, without any posting of when more would be available. I had to go to other vendors, and then one of them tried to cancel my order so I had to call and get them to honor my purchase.  I got notice it was shipped today. So be careful who you order from.  I have enough on hand for the family now but called or contacted extended family via social media to get their masks NOW.

   


What is Coronavirus?  It appears to be a virus that causes respiratory distress, a virus that started in a market where many different species of animals were offered for sale in close proximity.  Worse, those animals were butchered on-site without proper sanitation, and the transmission from animal to human was facilitated easily.  In other words, by killing them, they gained the ability to kill us back.  These markets are very common in much of the Asian peninsula.  The next virus is already fomenting, because people want what they want, and have been eating from these markets for generations, they see nothing wrong with their eating habits, they are not circumspect when it comes to eating ANY type of animal.

The CDC Website states, "Coronaviruses are common in many different species of animals, including camels and bats. Rarely, these coronaviruses can evolve and infect humans and then spread between humans. Recent examples of this include SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Normally, most coronaviruses infect animals, but not people. In the future, one or more of these other coronaviruses could potentially evolve and spread to humans, as has happened in the past. We still don’t understand why only certain coronaviruses are able to infect people." (CDC Website)

When faced with a pending Pandemic, the first thing to do is count the cost if you do NOTHING. I look to preserve my life and that of my family.  I think, "Whose life will be impacted if I do NOTHING?" We must realize, that the primary aim of this new administration is their own preservation, PERIOD.  Look at Puerto Rico and its current situation, and realize, YOU will be the person primarily responsible for your well being.

6 cases in the United States so far

How bad could it get, if this Coronavirus or the next major Pandemic actually becomes a worldwide problem?  After all, this newest virus looks as though it is only striking the elderly or those compromised by existing respiratory issues.  Maybe you don't fall into that category.  But, there isn't very much information about the Coronavirus at the present time, and there is no projected cure in mind.  There are more things that compromise our health than we tend to think about.  65 percent of the current population of the United States is morbidly obese, with an additional 15 percent obese.  Pre-existing conditions with many of them from Diabetes to Heart conditions put them in a vulnerable state.  Many are caregivers of elderly or young children, and some can barely walk a flight of stairs without wheezing.

As I have Lupus, I know a major illness can kick my immune system into overdrive, so I am always guarded against people who are coming down with something, in the midst of illness or just getting over an illness. In other words, I avoid sick people, and always trust my instincts.

In this case, prepare for your immediate need by purchasing N95 or N99 masks that have replaceable carbon filter, or that come in bulk so you can change out your masks.  For extra protection, you can put a regular medical mask underneath it. Don't believe the press that 'A mask won't help', ANY protection you don will be a help, versus a naked face.

Don't feel silly or embarrassed by wearing them now. Because by the time you notice someone with a fever, coughing or sneezing, it's too late to put the mask on with an airborne illness.  If you commute and are around a lot of people on a daily basis, put on your mask when on public transportation.  If you are in any doubt, mask up.

Guess What Time It Is?

It's time to start your Disaster Prepping!  This is the month that the book starts from, September!  You're past the gearing up for the kids to go back to school, and the end of all your summertime fun, now its time to get down to business! So, let's dig in and get started.

Head on over to Amazon and get the Book Series, "Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators".  You have a choice of getting the Color or the Black and White version.  Then, get your Forms Book which will help you put away paper that you need and get rid of papers that you don't need.

Last but not least, is your Shopping List Book.  It comes in two forms, with and without Scripture references.


I always have some component of Christianity in my works, and this one is no exception.  Anyone thinking, "God is going to take care of me, I don't have to go through all of this." is kidding themselves. 
I wanted to make sure that everyone could be covered when it came to Disaster Preparation.  In the Scripture Shopping List Book, there is supporting Scriptures that show having a vision and a plan is something that honors God.  It's expected, not just for yourself, but for your family, and your neighbors.  Our system lets you take care of not only your family but have a little extra you can put aside for extended family and neighbors.

This is the first month that you will begin to build your long term supplies and start cleaning your house.  So, plans are made to be added to, so first, you need to look through the quiz portions of the book to find out why you procrastinate.  All the planning, purchasing and storing items in the world won't work, if you don't figure out why you keep putting off doing anything to help yourself and your family survive and thrive in an Emergency or Disaster.

I will be giving some shopping tips for things that I find along the way that will make your life easier.  Just know, even if you only get your backpacks ready, you need to do SOME level of preparation.  One thing I have seen from having lost power before is once the electronics run out of juice, things can get REALLY dicey around the house.  Teenagers without their phones can be worse than being caged in a guest bathroom with a hungry lion!

In addition to this month's purchases, I came across these Shelving Units from Sam's Club. They are reasonable, have great reviews, and would be perfect for a basement or closet area.  Always read the reviews before you purchase something that you really need to work.

Make sure you read some of the lower reviews also, but you may come to find that they are many times left by people who can't put anything together or you just can't please them no matter what you do. If the product you buy doesn't meet your expectations, take it back to the store or send it back.  I tend to order from Amazon, because they don't hassle me about returns.


Another choice for those on a budget is this shelving unit from Ikea.  It doesn't hold heavy loads, but will keep your things off the floor.

If you live in a NEW flood plain...you know, the areas that used to get hit with 100 year floods every year, but they come every year now...you need to think of not just shelving to keep your important stuff off the floor, but also plastic tubs that you can seal with duct tape to keep your important papers and things important to your family from being ruined.

So, go get your books, and let's get this show on the road! Get your front closet cleaned out, and your foyer in order.  Get your Backpacks and this month's water supplies.  Nothing grates on you more than paying $15.00 with a 2 pack maximum for water that cost $3.00 last week. You can go without food for some time, but you need water every day.

Links:

Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Series

Sam's Club Shelving Unit

IKEA Shelving Unit

My Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators List on Amazon

I have began to compile an online list that is viewable to the public on Amazon, that features some things I try to purchase and keep on hand for my own family, in case of an emergency or disaster.  I have switched my focus to freeze-dried foods, as they store longer and they are available as items that my family actually eats.

I compare prices, and sizes of what I will actually receive. Even if you get a 10 pound bucket, when you open it up, you might be surprised at how little food you are actually getting. You can’t eat a bucket, so order a sample size so you can see what you are getting, before committing to a bucket.  Also, you might want 3 of the 10 things in a bucket, so don’t just think you’ll find something to make with those things you don’t normally eat. How much is in your pantry or fridge that you don’t touch already?  Don’t buy or store food that you don’t eat, it will go to waste.  If you can’t force your family to eat foods they don’t normally eat in good times, you won’t be any more successful in bad times.

Also, it is important to read through the Reviews before you purchase a huge amount of food or products.  It will save you having to send something back, or opening it in an Emergency only to find it spoiled, unpalatable or the servings too small.

Pay attention to what has been written, but also remember there are some people who won’t be happy no matter what they buy.  Make sure those people aren’t in your Emergency circle, and if they are family, get them together before you have to be stuck with them in an Emergency and they make everyone miserable.

There are materials that you can buy now for much cheaper than you will be able to get them in an Emergency.  Get and store them NOW while the prices are low and they are plentiful.  Here is the link for my Amazon Shopping list, start your own, and get ready while you aren’t pressured and your money buys more!

Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Amazon Shopping List

You can't take ALL of that WITH you!

You know, I was looking through my Disaster prep stuff, which I keep in a loft area right by the front door, and rethinking my trunk space.  I've taken to leaving my trunk as empty as possible because I have a lot to put in there! 

I've redoubled my efforts to make sure we are able to evacuate with everything we need, but not be so bogged down we can't take the important things and light out for a safe zone.

Its easier to think that you'll just buy one of those First Aid Backpacks, a tent and those Survival Food Buckets with pre-done entrees and 2 containers of water and that's okay. 

But you can't take ALL that WITH you if you have to evacuate by car or on foot.  Have you ever read what is actually in those buckets?  I have.  They include a bunch of things that my family isn't going to eat! Some of those items can be re-heated, but others have to be re-hydrated, which will cut into your water supply.

There is a finite amount of space in the trunk of your car.  If you're like most people, you always have a bunch of stuff in your trunk.  You may want to think of cleaning it out, before you end up having to toss stuff out without sorting it in case of an emergency.  Everything you haul increases the weight of your car and will affect your gas mileage.  We have recommendations in the book series that will help you break down your needs and what you should carry regularly in the car, to your job, that your family should take to work and school so that you are all prepared in case of an emergency. 

We tell you how to work with the interior of your car, once you load in your family. You can continue the way you are, but make sure whatever you plan, it will fit a shelter-in-place scenario, evacuate by car scenario AND an evacuate on foot scenario.  My system helps prepare you for all of those occurrences and at the same time, declutter and clean your home so you can become more organized.

Get your copies of Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators on Amazon now.  Make sure you get the Forms Book and your choice of the Shopping List Books, they come with Scriptural references and without.  Click the link below to start ordering!

Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Series

More questions about dehydrating food?

If you have further questions about dehydrating food using a Dehydrating Machine, this is a very good website that will give you more in-depth information on the process, temperature settings, types of food to dehydrate, etc. You don’t know until you try!

Tips on Dehydrating food with a Dehydration Machine, link below:

https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/how-to-dehydrate-food

Freeze Dry at home now!

Well, it seems everyday that more signs are being given to us to prepare for a disaster. You need food, water, clothing, shelter and a way to make money to take care of your bills.

Lets tackle the food thing today. This is the month you need to stock up on canned goods. JUST canned goods that you actually EAT. 

Better than that, how about Freeze Drying some CHEAP frozen vegetables and fruit NOW,, so you KNOW you’ll have enough on hand to feed yourself and your family in case of an emergency?

Freeze dried food can last on your shelf for decades, if done correctly. So get a dehydrator, buy frozen food, and put it in there! Keep notes about how long it takes to do each vegetable, meat or fruit. Get the Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers from Amazon and find a cool place to store your food. Preferably the basement where temperature swings are uncommon. Store the bags in sealed mason jars to keep out pests.

Prepare for pennies now, so you don’t have to pay through the nose in an emergency.

How the recent Furlough imitated a Natural Disaster

There were some warnings that a Furlough was on the way, even though many people denied things would go that far for so long.  Most Natural Disasters hit without much warning.  Do you think that the 30 Day plus Furlough wasn't as devastating as a Natural Disaster to the workers, Agencies and supporting businesses as a Natural Disaster may have been?  They have many parallels.

Natural Disasters cause major disruptions in the lives of those who live wherever they strike.  Workplaces are often highly affected by Natural Disasters.  When Businesses are damaged or shuttered, then workers aren't paid, which affects how they eat, pay their bills and their shelter. 

It's January, and if you began to work your way through Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators this past Fall, you would have accomplished several things that may have helped slightly with the Furlough.  For one, you'd have 4 to 5 months of Food, water, and other survival items stored by now.  They would be things that were nearing their rotation date!  They would be items that your family normally ate.  And they would keep you from having to spend a great deal of your very limited income on food purchases.  Having to only buy fresh fruit, vegetables and bread would certainly help in the short term.

You would have your Important Papers gathered by now, which really help when it comes to seeing where your money is going each month if there is something you can cut back on or something that could be sold that you've hesitated about selling. With the threat of another shutdown, what can you do to help yourself and your family with the back pay that you will receive?  First, put the bulk of every dime you can into savings.  Of course secondly, you should catch up your bills.  I say do the bills second because if not, almost all of your back pay will go towards catching up your bills and there won't be anything left over for savings, or to use as a hedge in case the next shutdown comes on the 15th of February as expected.

 Contact creditors and see if they will look at your circumstances and not put late payments on your credit.  If it isn't possible to sway them, then include a statement in your credit file.  It will help when you apply for credit, and also jog your own memory as to why things were late.  See if there is a way to skip a payment, or put another payment at the end of a term, like with your Mortgage or Auto notes.  Put that money into savings.

You would also be wise to stockpile some food, water and anything you ran short on during the shutdown.  You should look at this situation as a warning, and see what you can learn from it that may help you if it happens again. 

While you have a viable job now, think about taking out a Home Equity Line of Credit to help you over the hump if this happens again.  You would only take out what you needed to tide you over if no money is coming in, then when you receive back pay, pay that money back immediately. Also, it may help to start working that 'Side Gig' you have always dreamed about.  It may not bring in your full salary, but might keep you afloat and not totally behind. 

If the chance of this happening again is too much to take, if you are near retirement age, you should consider all of your options. 

Sometimes it is best to get the money while you can and save it, purchasing things and planning for shortfalls before they occur.  It is estimated that many programs that are relied upon for retirement might well be insolvent in coming years, so plan wisely. 

Treat the Furlough as a Natural Disaster and look down the road to anything that might make your ability to earn money and pay your bills stutter or stop and start.  Don't wait for that rainy day to come suddenly, it is starting to rain more frequently, and without warning.  Don't procrastinate, look ahead and make a plan.

You can find our entire series of books on Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators on its own Amazon.com page at the following link:  Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Page