Another reason to be prepared...

**Valerie in WA** · 12-06-2005, 02:25 AM

Pandemic flu. I heard snippets on the news describing what might occur if pandemic flu swept the world - and it would be world-wide, at least among industrialized nations, because of jet travel.

One thing mentioned was an interruption of food processing, transporting and retailing (i.e. grocery stores), as workers succombed to flu or stayed home to avoid contamination.

You also may want to stay home if you are still healthy but your community were hit.

We're good on groceries and such, but I'm going to call the pediatrician for a new Rx for asthma medication for our (dd1 & me) nebulizer machine. If we did get sick and the rest of the world was falling apart, that machine might save our lives.

Not trying to scare anyone...just something else to consider.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 12-06-2005, 07:50 AM

WOW....SOMETHING TO REALLY THINK ABOUT. I HAVE ABOUT A 5YR SUPPLY OF ALBUTEROL NEBULIZER MEDICINE (CALL ME IF YOU NEED ANY....LOL)

**YankeeMom** · 12-06-2005, 09:16 AM

This is my main reason for stockpiling (more than usual).

**jlxian** · 12-06-2005, 02:12 PM

Yes, this possibility has spurred me on to do a little stockpiling --- and in my case, a little is more than the NONE of a few months ago.

Given the right conditions, there are several very possible factors that could occur to cause people to just stay home, and stockpiling is a good "defense".

**Mamaw** · 12-06-2005, 05:53 PM

Good thought! I need to get moving on the challenge and list what I need for my stockpile. We would not starve but we might run out of some items that I would prefer not to!

**canadian gardener** · 12-06-2005, 06:11 PM

Good thought.

Stocking up is a great way to save money (shopping the pantry at sale prices) and it's great to be prepared for any eventuality.

People might get sick even without a pandemic, and have to stay home, not able to shop, or you might have a storm and not want to leave home or just feel like hibernating for the winter (me right now LOL)

and that pantry is a life saver.

**dina** · 12-13-2005, 10:49 AM

http://blogs.lotterypost.com/rip_sno...other-side.htm

**YankeeMom** · 12-13-2005, 11:01 AM

I don't feel I'm overreacting to the situation. I don't think it's a bad thing to be prepared at all. (by the way, we don't get flu shots

).

As far as the 1918 Pandemic:
[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Flu[/ame]

Recently, scientists (see below) have reconstructed the virus, and the evidence gained from that reconstruction suggests that the virus jumped directly from birds to humans, without traveling through the swine. This does not eliminate the idea that the pandemic started with a Fort Riley cook, however; indeed, he could have been preparing chicken when he contracted the virus.

It happened once, it can happen again.
As the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared.

**Pepper** · 12-13-2005, 11:46 AM

I am not one who stockpiles for those "in cases". I have plenty of groceries around the house to get by for awhile.

However, I do not believe that those who stockpile are going overboard. I think they are preparing for their family and thinking ahead.

**Valerie in WA** · 12-13-2005, 02:47 PM

I don't think I'm over-reacting, either. Of course if I did think so, I would change my behavior, right?

I did spend $20 last week on general cold/flu remedies to have on hand. Most don't expire for two years. Over that amount of time, we'll probably need cough syrup and pain reliever etc at least a couple of times - even without flu.

I think Margery summed up my feelings better than I am able to:

Originally posted by canadian gardener
Good thought.

Stocking up is a great way to save money (shopping the pantry at sale prices) and it's great to be prepared for any eventuality.

People might get sick even without a pandemic, and have to stay home, not able to shop, or you might have a storm and not want to leave home or just feel like hibernating for the winter (me right now LOL)

and that pantry is a life saver.

Basically a pantry is good "for any eventuality." As is a small home pharmacy.

**savin4disney** · 12-14-2005, 09:31 PM

HI! I am new here and just starting my stockpile. I am glad I did since on Monday I was told by my Doctor to not leave the house for 6 days. I have whooping cough. So basically we have everything we need right now. I do need more milk and oj but I can send DS to the store.

It really made more aware that I need to be more prepared.

**frugalbutterfly** · 12-29-2005, 02:51 PM

Having a "stocked pantry" is an excellent idea, cause you just never know what may be a problem, whether it is "health" or weather or the stores just "behind".
As, I have said on another thread, with all we where hit(3 bad hurricanes over our front door, literally, my accidcent, then "major" very dangerous surgeries) last year, more like in 2(Aug- Oct. then in Dec) months time frame we, would have had a hard time had I not stocked up on some things. We did not have freezer besides the one with our fridge(we do now though) so, I could not get extra milk, bread, ect.). We had lot's of things for the kids, which helped them deal with "things" at the time. No, you don't want to live like, what if's, don't do that not a good thing

but, no one is above the next person so, you just never know what type of "disaster" you or your family could face. Don't just try to get under a rock, be observant and kinda in a scence advocate for your family just to be safe and feel more secure!

We are taught through church to work on a years supply of food and needs for your family but, only what you eat or use otherwise it is a waste really. Now, it is alittle tricky if you have a "bigger" family or are on a "special" diet, just do the best you can.

I have always kept a "decent" medical stock going, of course with having 4 boys and a little girl who trys to keep up with them, kind of a need anyway

Not to mention all my meds. I would need so, I make sure to have a month's supply or longer for most things in there.

Many people around here, just wait until the last minute rather then thinking ahead. When the "minor" hurricanes where hours from us this year(we did not get any over us, jsut rough weather when they passed through), people went crazy and the stores where out of most everything, now this was when the hurricanes where NOT predicted to get close enough to us to cause any problems. Why just wait and then "panic", be alittle more prepared.