The other day, someone who, in the past, has made fun of my preparedness interests contacted me. They needed an OTC pain reliever of a particular type and brand and it was unavailable at their local pharmacies. I was asked to check my local pharmacies and if I found some I was to send it to them. And all I could think was “If there is a medication that is so critical to you that, when you are out of it, you have to ask people across the country to find you some….well…maybe thats an item you should think about stockpiling more than just one bottle of.”
But…some people won’t learn. When this is over almost everyone who went through it will dismiss the idea of stockpiling necessities against a crisis that wipes out the grocery stores because “Oh, that never happens” even though it just freaking happened.
I’m continuing to round out things on my list (the Preponomicon) because even if we do somehow find ourselves now on the tail end of this crisis (which I don’t believe is anywhere near finished) the economic repercussions are going to last for wuite a while, I think. Anything I can put in place now to prevent me from having to spend resources later is definitely worth doing.
As I wander about I notice more and more people wearing masks. Invariably, they see to be either much older or much younger people. My contemporaries, it seems, are willing to let fate do as it will.
Still haven’t had to break out the freeze-dried pork chops yet. Also haven’t had to shoot any cannibal looters. Lamest boogaloo ever.
My sibling, who flat out called me a hoarder in the past and tried to shame me into donating my stock of masks, just bought a case from me for his/her firm.
I didn’t even raise the price or say “I told you so.”
My other sibling did pretty much everything I advised back in early March, and never said a word to me about it.
I am glad that they are safe and have SOME preps but I’ll admit it would be nice to get at least a small acknowledgement that I was right.
n
The big impact on my wife has been understanding better why I store up things. She is frugal and saves cash, which is good. But the term I learned here was “not available at any price”. We have seen that, albeit only for a week or two at a time and not for critical stuff (who would have thought paper products were that precious- they are just convenience items, mostly). She has said nothing directly to me, but has reassured the kids what good shape we are in because we have food, medicines, etc right here at home.
“Still haven’t had to break out the freeze-dried pork chops yet. Also haven’t had to shoot any cannibal looters. Lamest boogaloo ever.” Yeah, sharpened up my knife for when we had to cut up the family dog for supper, but sheshh – Wal-Mart is still open with food. Wasted all that time looking up dog recipes …
Warning – at no time was ANY harm to happen to the dog . . .
Put the Hawaiian “kahlua dog” in the recipe file just in case neighbors dog goes missing,years ago many cats went missing when a Korean family moved in.
Some of us just have longer memories than others. I was cleaning out a shed yesterday and my wife came to check on my progress. When she noticed all the gas cans she asked me, “Why do you have so many?” She doesn’t remember those three weeks back in 2008 during hurricane season when all the drilling rigs in the Gulf shut down and gasoline was literally unobtanium around here. I just smiled and kept cleaning.
Most of our fellow Americans will forget this ever happened in a year or less.
I think we might be looking at a food shortage in the coming months. Not a total one, but certainly a loss of meats, eggs, and perhaps grains. So your frozen pork chops may come in handy.
I’m only 31 but in my limited experience dealing with people, most rarely own up to mistakes. They’d rather forget than ask for forgiveness.
The common “disaster” in any family is job loss. And buying stuff and stacking it deep is always helpful. seems like a no brainer.
“The common “disaster” in any family is job loss. And buying stuff and stacking it deep is always helpful. seems like a no brainer.”
LGC: Truff! I’ve worn that tee shirt a couple a times in my 60 + years. Lately, been less dramatic, due to the Store ‘O Stuff.
As our blog host has noted time after time, when you don’t have to wade through the zombies at your local grocery, you are less likely to (a) contract the Zombie Virus du Jour, as well as (b) less likely to have to fight your way through checkout, into your vehicle, and home, none of which are calculated to improve your happiness or your health.
The good news about this pandemic is that more people will be inclined to improve their preparedness level.
The bad news bout this pandemic is that, because it is just about the most “comfortable” disaster that one can imagine, i.e., the grid’s up, cable is working, people are still well-fed, and Commander Zero’s daily briefing continues uninterrupted, many will expect the same in the future.
As a result, the need for “beans, bullets, and band-aids” still won’t be understood and appreciated by the great majority of the masses.
Yeah, I tell the family just because we have a stash of items now that doesn’t require replenishment now doesn’t mean those items will remain available. Focus on what we use Every Day and get those or find a replacement that will not require buying more.
I’ve honestly had a more difficult time dealing with the leftover ham from Easter… Baked Ham, Fried Ham, Ham Fried Rice, Ham and Beans, Ham Omelets, Ham Sandwiches, Ham Mac and Cheese, Ham Surprise (I was surprised I could eat it), and FINALLY today the last of the ham went into: Ham Salad…
I swear I feel like Forest Friggin Gump… Told the GF next year we’re doing a Rib Roast…
Regards
Hah, I did a ribeye roast, and it was delicious. A bit non-traditional, but hey, it’s just us here this year. I’ve got the two hams I bought on my ‘last run’ thru Costco ready to go. (I’d have gotten more but was out of freezer space.)
FWIW, I usually cut them into ham steaks (or just cut 3 or 4 slices loose) and vac seal and freeze them in 1 pound portions. It’s a quick meal to heat up, and you don’t have all the leftovers of a trad ham dinner.
nick
Jeez, would have done a roast THIS time, but the GFs mother is very traditional about Easter suppers (she’s 83) and was looking forward to ham. So I used one of the big hams I got on sale. Should have broke out a little Cure 81 for her and a nice roast for us… Missed out on Roast Beef Hash…. MMMMMMmmmmm Hash….
Regards
Now you have the bone to make split pea soup. Annual ham sale went off without a hitch,just had to make room around extra corned beef from St. Pats
Yep, it’s sitting in the freezer. Couple times a year we have a big get together and I’ll use it making a big kettle of Ham and Lima Bean stew. Nothing like a ham bone for flavor. Corned beef goes quick at the homestead here. I brine a 10 -15 pound brisket for St Paddie’s and there’s nothing left by month’s end – ever. Home made is really easy and so much better than that crap in a little bag.
Regards
Never heard of Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year, but this excerpt could have been written today! I’m going to have to read the book.
Nothing, Defoe writes, “was more fatal to the inhabitants of this city than the supine negligence of the people themselves, who, during the long notice or warning they had of the visitation, made no provision for it by laying in store of provisions, or of other necessaries, by which they might have lived retired and within their own houses, as I have observed others did, and who were in a great measure preserved by that caution…”
Dude, that’s perfect……..
Kudos. Why have I not seen this before?
The Preponomicon..
Hilarious name, excellent concept.