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Since you asked, >I'm advising everyone in my circle to prepare for a 30 to 45 day at-home stay and assume no stores will be open during that time. I think thi

Since you asked, >I'm advising everyone in my circle to prepare for a 30 to 45 day at-home stay and assume no stores will be open during that time. I think this is the prudent thing to do. I think that's the paranoid thing to do. I'm stocking up a bit so that I can stay inside if I personally get sick, but that doesn't require 30-45 days of supplies. I don't even really have room for that much stuff in my tiny apartment. >I would also advise speaking to your neighbors to make them aware of the need to be prepared. To that point, buy a little extra of everything --well, maybe food only-- so you can help a few people out during what is likely to be a difficult time. Happy neighbors are as important to safety as anything else. >I'm actually thinking of making a preparedness checklist and going door-to-door around the neighborhood to hand them out. You're obviously much friendlier with your neighbors than I am. If any of my neighbors did that I would probably assume they were a bit off and avoid talking to them from then on. I certainly wouldn't act on some random dude's checklist.

robomartin 7y ago
Well, I would avise you not to map your own deficiencies onto others. If you don't have enough room for a 30 day supply of essentials and would think a neighbor approaching you with concern for your own safety would make them "a bit off" to the point that you would "avoid talking to them from then on"...well, not sure what to say. I know all of my neighbors, well, at least somewhere between 30 to 40 of them. We've known them for years, decades in some cases. We actually have gatherings at each other's homes every so often. Try it, it's called contact with humanity. Not that hard. Neighbors are human beings, just like you. Sure, it requires a bit of effort, but anyone can do it. > I think that's the paranoid thing to do Yikes. More of the above. Sorry you feel that way. Ask the people in Wuhan it they think such a recommendation might be paranoid. Or how about the 1,000 people in Spain who just got quarantined in a hotel. Of the 300+ in Austria? Proposing families and individuals prepare for a potentially extended quarantine isn't paranoid, it's caring enough about other to make sure they are aware of what might lie in the horizon. In my experience not everyone is well informed. I've had many conversations with people during the last few days who a) had no idea how bad things are around the world b) had no clue there's a better than 50% probability we'll have to contend with it in the US (not my words, this was said today at the CDC press conference). > that doesn't require 30-45 days of supplies If we get hit hard with COVID-19 in our large cities you'll be lucky if you have to stay locked-up for just 30 days. First of all, we now think the incubation period could be as long as 27 days (this is news out of Wuhan). So, right there you have justification for 30 days as a MINIMUM period. And it is worse because you can't risk re-infection. Aside from the fact that it would absolutely implode every economy in the world and cause more death, re-infection for not observing a reasonable 30 to 45 day quarantine period is just irresponsible. Coming back to your own situation, I refuse to believe someone doesn't have the space for 30 days worth of food and essential supplies. OK, you don't have room for stake and burgers. You have to adapt. A 50 lb bag of rice will probably feed you for a month. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Add to that, say, 3 cans for something per day (soup, meat, whatever you like) and you have the basics. Do you have room for 100 cans of food under your bed, behind the TV, under the desk, in the bathroom? Probably. Not that hard. Anyhow, free country and all that. You get to choose which reality you get to navigate. I'd rather be responsible, coordinate with friends, family and neighbors, help each other, prepare for a reasonable set of circumstances and come out of it in good shape. Good luck.
robomartin 7y ago
Speaking of what you characterized as being paranoid... Here's a dose of reality for you: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australians-in-italy-s-coronavirus-red-zone-describe-apocalypse-era-conditions https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australians-in-italy-s-coronavir... This could be reality in one or more US cities in days, weeks or months from now. Would it be better to take the time to be ready for this before people panic or just wait and wing it? Maybe go door-to-door betting for food and supplies? Sure, that sounds like an excellent plan.

robomartin 7y ago

Well, I would avise you not to map your own deficiencies onto others. If you don't have enough room for a 30 day supply of essentials and would think a neighbor approaching you with concern for your own safety would make them "a bit off" to the point that you would "avoid talking to them from then on"...well, not sure what to say. I know all of my neighbors, well, at least somewhere between 30 to 40 of them. We've known them for years, decades in some cases. We actually have gatherings at each other's homes every so often. Try it, it's called contact with humanity. Not that hard. Neighbors are human beings, just like you. Sure, it requires a bit of effort, but anyone can do it. > I think that's the paranoid thing to do Yikes. More of the above. Sorry you feel that way. Ask the people in Wuhan it they think such a recommendation might be paranoid. Or how about the 1,000 people in Spain who just got quarantined in a hotel. Of the 300+ in Austria? Proposing families and individuals prepare for a potentially extended quarantine isn't paranoid, it's caring enough about other to make sure they are aware of what might lie in the horizon. In my experience not everyone is well informed. I've had many conversations with people during the last few days who a) had no idea how bad things are around the world b) had no clue there's a better than 50% probability we'll have to contend with it in the US (not my words, this was said today at the CDC press conference). > that doesn't require 30-45 days of supplies If we get hit hard with COVID-19 in our large cities you'll be lucky if you have to stay locked-up for just 30 days. First of all, we now think the incubation period could be as long as 27 days (this is news out of Wuhan). So, right there you have justification for 30 days as a MINIMUM period. And it is worse because you can't risk re-infection. Aside from the fact that it would absolutely implode every economy in the world and cause more death, re-infection for not observing a reasonable 30 to 45 day quarantine period is just irresponsible. Coming back to your own situation, I refuse to believe someone doesn't have the space for 30 days worth of food and essential supplies. OK, you don't have room for stake and burgers. You have to adapt. A 50 lb bag of rice will probably feed you for a month. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Add to that, say, 3 cans for something per day (soup, meat, whatever you like) and you have the basics. Do you have room for 100 cans of food under your bed, behind the TV, under the desk, in the bathroom? Probably. Not that hard. Anyhow, free country and all that. You get to choose which reality you get to navigate. I'd rather be responsible, coordinate with friends, family and neighbors, help each other, prepare for a reasonable set of circumstances and come out of it in good shape. Good luck.

robomartin 7y ago

Speaking of what you characterized as being paranoid... Here's a dose of reality for you: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australians-in-italy-s-coronavirus-red-zone-describe-apocalypse-era-conditions https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australians-in-italy-s-coronavir... This could be reality in one or more US cities in days, weeks or months from now. Would it be better to take the time to be ready for this before people panic or just wait and wing it? Maybe go door-to-door betting for food and supplies? Sure, that sounds like an excellent plan.