newbie

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone.

I just joined and I'm very interested in this group and look forward

to exchanging information, sites, tips, etc.

Here's where I'm at in preparation for a pandemic: I started storing

extra canned goods about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I purchased some extra

cleaning supplies as well and today made the big leap and purchased

about 50 3M 8511 (with exhale valve) masks as well as 20 small N95

rated masks for the kids (no valves tho) and 30 real cheap ones for

home use (woodworking and other such projects). It all came to about

$125 with shipping. To some that might be a lot of money and to

others peanuts but we did what we felt comfortable doing. I'm sure

if this pandemic hits, I'll kick myself for not ordering many, many

more. My guess is we are ready for about 6 days without water and 2-

3 weeks of food. Certainly not near enough but I just started and

purchasing every week as I get to the store. I had no idea how long

it would take to lug all this stuff around!

I'm not near ready for a lock up in our home for any real extended

period of time. I have to say that I'm now realizing just how

unprepared we are.

I was wondering if there are any sites that may give us some clues

on what to expect. Scientists studying these diseases must know

there's a pattern to all this, approximately how long the first wave

will last and when to expect the second... I have been to

pandemicflu.gov and WHO's site as well as many others like the CDC

but what's missing is some real advise on how to live at home with

this pandemic. What are our options if the power goes out?

In researching this over the last week I found a great little tip:

at the first sign of a hurricane (or pandemic in this case) turn up

your fridge and freezer full blast before the power goes out and

pack them up (so the food lasts longer). I wonder how many other

tips are out there that are just as easy and can be of some help for

all of us.

I personally want to get our community prepared in a way we all work

together. What good is it if we are safe but we see all our

neighbors suffering. AND how safe is that for us as well? There has

to me more than " your on your own " mentality here and " wait for the

meds in a few months to a year " . I want a real plan set in place and

it there isn't one out there, then I'll make one.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

audrey