Stocking the cupboards in the event of a pandemic in the USA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cashier at the grocery store didn’t seem to know what I was talking about when I explained to her why I was buying some giant bags of rice. I don’t think most people in the general population are worrying the way we do here on dcum. My co-workers and others I’ve queried (friends, extended family) aren’t really giving it a thought at this point. It’s interesting.

I think I am giving myself added stress by reading this health forum daily right now.

I don't think that most people on DCUM are "prepping". Do you prep for the flu virus every year? You are just one of the masses letting the media fuel your anxiety (are you going to vote for trump next?). Better off to just get on some anti-anxiety meds.

NP here, and just reading this one page of posts reminded me that my doc only prescribes me a 90-day supply at once. What happens when that runs out, the doctor’s office is closed because everyone is sick, or worse yet, we can’t get the meds bc they are made in China?

[Anonymous]

I did a little run last night and the shelves were fully stocked. I saw a few people who were either stocking up or planning for a party. Most people were going about their normal business.

The question DH and I have been wrestling with is how much of a supply we should have? We could currently be good for 4-6 weeks, maybe more if we ration. It's all stuff we currently eat anyways, so worst case is we don't have to spend nearly as much weekly on groceries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

Assume everyone in your family got sick at once for a month, that's the worst case scenario so prepare for that. You don't need like 6 months of cold medicine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

Assume everyone in your family got sick at once for a month, that's the worst case scenario so prepare for that. You don't need like 6 months of cold medicine.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't know how to do that calculation? We rarely use medicine, currently (hence why those bottles are unopened in the first place). How long do they last?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a little run last night and the shelves were fully stocked. I saw a few people who were either stocking up or planning for a party. Most people were going about their normal business.

The question DH and I have been wrestling with is how much of a supply we should have? We could currently be good for 4-6 weeks, maybe more if we ration. It's all stuff we currently eat anyways, so worst case is we don't have to spend nearly as much weekly on groceries.

It sounds like you have plenty. It’s not like you’re going to be trapped in your house with no access to food for weeks, even if there’s a quarantine it will include a process for getting food to people, because the government knows if they don’t have a way for people to get food, they’ll just break quarantine to do it themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

Assume everyone in your family got sick at once for a month, that's the worst case scenario so prepare for that. You don't need like 6 months of cold medicine.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't know how to do that calculation? We rarely use medicine, currently (hence why those bottles are unopened in the first place). How long do they last?

DP. Look at the medicines and figure out how many doses you can give in a day, then read up on how long this tends to last in non-critical cases to figure out the max doses you’re likely to need per person of each medicine. Then multiply that times the number of people in your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a little run last night and the shelves were fully stocked. I saw a few people who were either stocking up or planning for a party. Most people were going about their normal business.

The question DH and I have been wrestling with is how much of a supply we should have? We could currently be good for 4-6 weeks, maybe more if we ration. It's all stuff we currently eat anyways, so worst case is we don't have to spend nearly as much weekly on groceries.

It sounds like you have plenty. It’s not like you’re going to be trapped in your house with no access to food for weeks, even if there’s a quarantine it will include a process for getting food to people, because the government knows if they don’t have a way for people to get food, they’ll just break quarantine to do it themselves.

What evidence do you have that the government will have a process to get people food? Do you remember Katrina? The crowd running our government now is even more incompetent.

The vast majority of people aren't doing anything right now to get ready. But just imagine what would happen if it were announced that someone from Bethesda had died of the virus and a couple of more people were on vents at Suburban Hospital?

Be the smart one and have enough in your house to be able to get by without going to the store for at least 2 weeks. Pretend you're preparing for a 2-foot DC snowstorm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did a little run last night and the shelves were fully stocked. I saw a few people who were either stocking up or planning for a party. Most people were going about their normal business.

The question DH and I have been wrestling with is how much of a supply we should have? We could currently be good for 4-6 weeks, maybe more if we ration. It's all stuff we currently eat anyways, so worst case is we don't have to spend nearly as much weekly on groceries.

It sounds like you have plenty. It’s not like you’re going to be trapped in your house with no access to food for weeks, even if there’s a quarantine it will include a process for getting food to people, because the government knows if they don’t have a way for people to get food, they’ll just break quarantine to do it themselves.

What evidence do you have that the government will have a process to get people food? Do you remember Katrina? The crowd running our government now is even more incompetent.

The vast majority of people aren't doing anything right now to get ready. But just imagine what would happen if it were announced that someone from Bethesda had died of the virus and a couple of more people were on vents at Suburban Hospital?

Be the smart one and have enough in your house to be able to get by without going to the store for at least 2 weeks. Pretend you're preparing for a 2-foot DC snowstorm.

Don't worry, there won't be a quarantine. The virus will run wild until everyone's had it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

Assume everyone in your family got sick at once for a month, that's the worst case scenario so prepare for that. You don't need like 6 months of cold medicine.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't know how to do that calculation? We rarely use medicine, currently (hence why those bottles are unopened in the first place). How long do they last?

DP. Look at the medicines and figure out how many doses you can give in a day, then read up on how long this tends to last in non-critical cases to figure out the max doses you’re likely to need per person of each medicine. Then multiply that times the number of people in your family.

If I do that, it looks like one bottle will last my 9 year old 3 days. Are you all really suggesting that I buy 10 bottles -- just for the one kid -- so 40 bottles total for kids, me and DH??? That just seems excessive...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain powdered milk? Is it for drinking - just add water?

- not a prepper but need lattes to survive

My mom used to buy this in the 1980s because, she claimed, she didn't want us to drink milk from "Chernobyl" cows. But really, she was just CHEAP. Yes. You mix it like Koolaid. Its nasty.

Its probably more for adding to baked goods or upping the caloric content of other foods rather than drinking...

I vaguely recall tv ads in the 60s for carnation powdered milk as in drinking it. My parents went thru a stretch where they bought it in bulk and would mix it half and half with regular milk so it would taste better, has a kind of cooked milk flavor otherwise. I've used it to make homemade hot cocoa/chocolate milk mix, once on a long train trip to the west coast where I was too broke to buy food on the train for myself and my 5 yo.

My mom went on a powered milk/budget kick in the 1970s, it was awful! We also had a goat for a while, maybe that's an option?

:yes .definitely an option, especially in a one bedroom apartment with a green shag rug.

NP and I am a third poster whose parents had goats and sometimes gave me powdered milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep a stockpile of food in the basement and have added to it in recent weeks after seeing what is happening in some countries around the world. I think a few events have led me to do this - I evacuated from the WTC on 9/11, i lived in NYC during a blackout in 2003 or 2004 and literally had nothing in my apartment other than moldy bagels, so even one night without food/power (and absurd lines to buy food before it spoiled in restaurants/stores) was a lesson, i lost power for days during Hurricane Sandy, etc. So every 5-10 years it seems that something happens that makes me think i should have been a little more prepared than i am, especially now that i have kids to feed. My wife makes fun of me, but in my opinion, why *wouldn't* i have things on hand? I don't want to use my life insurance or health insurance but i still have it - same concept.

I bought a bunch of staples with a 25 year shelf life - rice, pasta, dehydrated vegetables, powdered milk and cheese, etc. Enough to feed us for a couple of months. I've had this stuff for 5+ years already. At one point I purchased MREs (which were great during Sandy) but those have since expired and i could use more. I also have about a month's supply of canned vegetables and soups. I haven't figured out meat because i haven't wanted to load a freezer for an extended period but that may not be a bad idea. I also keep a couple of month's supply of water. Again, why not? It helps me sleep at night. Just recently I loaded up on basic medicines for the kids, like motrin, etc., in case there is a shortage and in case we don't want to go out. I don't know exactly how much all of the above cost, but for less than $500 you should be able to keep a household running for a few months in an emergency. Seems like a good use of money to me.

I'm just reading this full thread. My DH would love you.

How much kids medicine is good enough? I have one unopened kids bottle of motrin and one unopened bottle of tylenol. I also have an unopened bottle of cold medicine. Is that enough, one of each? I just had it on hand (leftover from flu season) but these posts about stocking/loading up are making me think others are getting more than that?

Assume everyone in your family got sick at once for a month, that's the worst case scenario so prepare for that. You don't need like 6 months of cold medicine.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't know how to do that calculation? We rarely use medicine, currently (hence why those bottles are unopened in the first place). How long do they last?

DP. Look at the medicines and figure out how many doses you can give in a day, then read up on how long this tends to last in non-critical cases to figure out the max doses you’re likely to need per person of each medicine. Then multiply that times the number of people in your family.

If I do that, it looks like one bottle will last my 9 year old 3 days. Are you all really suggesting that I buy 10 bottles -- just for the one kid -- so 40 bottles total for kids, me and DH??? That just seems excessive...

DP and I’d say go ahead and get an extra bottle of each - kid Tylenol, kid Advil, adult Advil, adult Tylenol.

I’d also get a bottle of kid cough medicine and adult cough medicine. Some cough drops.

If anyone uses an inhaler, get it refilled.

No need to buy 40 bottles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain powdered milk? Is it for drinking - just add water?

- not a prepper but need lattes to survive

My mom used to buy this in the 1980s because, she claimed, she didn't want us to drink milk from "Chernobyl" cows. But really, she was just CHEAP. Yes. You mix it like Koolaid. Its nasty.

Its probably more for adding to baked goods or upping the caloric content of other foods rather than drinking...

I vaguely recall tv ads in the 60s for carnation powdered milk as in drinking it. My parents went thru a stretch where they bought it in bulk and would mix it half and half with regular milk so it would taste better, has a kind of cooked milk flavor otherwise. I've used it to make homemade hot cocoa/chocolate milk mix, once on a long train trip to the west coast where I was too broke to buy food on the train for myself and my 5 yo.

My mom went on a powered milk/budget kick in the 1970s, it was awful! We also had a goat for a while, maybe that's an option?

:yes .definitely an option, especially in a one bedroom apartment with a green shag rug.

NP and I am a third poster whose parents had goats and sometimes gave me powdered milk.

Was there a goat & powdered milk cult in the 70s?

[Anonymous]

Is this really the kind of illness where you want to hold the fever down the whole time. Surely you’ll beat it quicker if you let the fever do it’s job, as long as your not in febrile seizure territory.