What are you guys doing, if anything, to prepare additional resources for the potential Wuhan outbreak?
Personally, I am basically squaring away things that we might need in order to stay at home for 30 days if we need to. In addition to my standby preps, I have made step to insure that we have enough diapers and wipes for the babies, lady stuff for Mama, and proteins in the freezer. N95 masks, hand sanitizer, pool shock etc in place.
I am still stacking Beans and Band-aids, but honestly I came to the realization that I have more ammo than I could reasonably expect to use up in a sustained engagement, so I have now been reallocating that money to food.
I'd also get a few packs of disposable gloves, you can find them at hardware supply stores in boxes of 50 or 100.
A couple of other preps people often overlook are toilet paper and trash bags. Also, while a resupply plan for food might be hard to do for some people (requires a sizable garden and/or animals) but a resupply plan for your water might be more feasible to achieve. Just get yourself a good filter and find out where your nearest water streams/rivers are. Find out if they're polluted now. The EPA has some decent resources on "superfund" sites, some of which are actively leaching heavy metals into rivers and lakes, so I'd check there too.
Oh, also, I've seen reports that since this virus is transmitted via airborne droplets, you also need to protect your eyes. A basic pair of swimming goggles would do the trick, or a full face respirator if you want to be fancier.
i have a bit of an advantage, based on my 9-5. i can buy a case of 24 boxes of nitrile (x100) gloves for under $50. also have the ability to buy dry goods, trash bags etc in quantities even bigger than sam's or costco. Running a busy restaurant kitchen has a few perks.
Im lucky enough that my place of work has a steady supply of n95 filter masks (disposable), goggles,and nitrile gloves. I made sure i always take the leftover home when we finish a job so i am in a good position in terms of supply. However my concern is that since i where glasses im very SOL for eye protection/ Full face filter masks that seal.
Couple thoughts:
- If you're going to wear an N95 (or better) mask, you also need surgical/nitrile gloves AND something to protect your eyes like wrap-around safety glasses. The virus lives in airborne particles that are absorbed via mucus membranes like the eyes and open sores. So either get all geared up, or there really isn't a point.
- Masks and glasses that seal on your face are better than ones that don't. But maybe in this case, marginally better.
- None of the above really matter if you don't mind your clothing and hair and skin as well. If you do, in fact, happen upon infected people/area, that virus is now everywhere on you. You can't (I don't think) absorb it from your hair into your body, but if it's there and later you touch your hair, you're spreading it around and vastly increasing your chances of ingesting it. All clothing, all skin areas, shoes, including the soles, all of it needs to get thoroughly decontaminated.
- Hand sanitizer is generally antibiotic and does NOT work against viruses. I'm a fan in general, just keep in mind what it works on and what it doesn't.
- Being prepared for a 30-day self-quarantine is a great way to evaluate your overall preparedness plan.
My $0.02, which is worth far less.
mucus membranes include genitally and booty holes...just saying. wash before and after.
Not really doing anything different in my preps. I have made a plan and sticking to the plan. This year I decided to tighten my budget so I could allocate more money to prepping. Made a list and then prioritized items on the list. Keep an eye out for items on sale and medical preps at the moment are expensive. Hand washing is the biggest defense for keeping a virus at bay. Do not expect that the US will have a large out break. In my opinion the greatest threat is to the economy. Being financial sound is one of the most important preps.
Reviewing the list of things to do as infections become more prevalent here in the US. Watching for US infection rates to start doubling weekly, should that occur I'll start checking things off the list. Also watching supply chain disruption issues. Completed grain purchases for the year - this is typically done in February any way. Inventoried meds and support gear. Will pick up additional cleaning supplies, and all the things we are low on that we might use for several months of shelter in place. Topping off fuel(gasoline, propane, kero, camp stove). Running generators to be sure they are working. Moved some money out of the markets, and increased cash on hand. Both kids are finishing up college in May, trying to figure out what the options are for getting them home if we have a significant outbreak here in the US. cleaned out the chest freezer of anything that was freezer burned, and will use the extra space for vacuum sealed chicken and beef. Ordered more chicks than usual this spring and planning on a much larger garden this year. Anything we can do to limit going out into the world is being done