How to Prepare for a Pandemic

Can anyone really prepare for a pandemic? I’m not sure you can be completely prepared but there are a few steps you can take.

A couple of weeks ago, the Bearded Rooster started to prepare for Coronavirus. He’s a novice prepper, nothing extreme. We keep a 72-hour box in case of a natural disaster, and we also keep a few weeks’ supply of rice, spam (yes, we like spam!), tuna, peanut butter, and pasta. He does a garden every year and we’d really like to be more self-reliant, which is why he wanted chickens.

So What Can You Do To Prepare For a Pandemic? 

In Texas, as of this minute, we have 63 cases of Coronavirus.  Yesterday, at this time, it was 20. Seeing the numbers from other countries, this is just the beginning.

You need to make sure you have the basics for each person in your family for as long as necessary. So with coronavirus, they are saying 14 days. The incubation period is 2-14 days. If you are infected with the virus, you will start to show signs or symptoms during this time period. 

Now, once you get sick, children and young adults could be sick for two weeks and adults could be sick for three to six weeks. 

So What Did The Bearded Rooster Purchase?

He didn’t panic but wanted to be prepared. He bought:

• Powdered milk
• Rice
• Beans
• Peanut Butter
• An extra loaf of bread that we will freeze
• Bouillon cubes 
• Meat to freeze
  

Others recommended buying: 

• Tea
• Coffee
• Flour
• Sugar
• Crackers
• Protein Bars
• Cereal
• Medicines
  

Don’t forget your pets and livestock. We purchased an extra bag of feed for the dogs and the chickens. 

It’s a good thing he bought a few extra items. People have panicked and store shelves are empty.

Many of the grocery stores are out of eggs. Our girls are laying 4-5 eggs a day! We have plenty for our family and I usually give several dozen away a month.

This year, I may be hoarding them just a little. They can be stored on the counter for a month and will be good in the refrigerator for three months. 

Thanks to the girls, we have additional options for recipes. Fried rice, egg drop soup, egg salad, and of course breakfast casseroles. 

Get Your Flu Shot to Prepare for Coronavirus

I’m a big believer in getting an annual flu vaccine. Not only are you protecting yourself from the flu but also your family and community. So why get a flu shot if it doesn’t protect you from Coronavirus? Because the symptoms are similar. It will decrease your chance of going to the doctor’s office which will free up medical personnel to take care of other patients. Plus, we all know if you go in for a visit, you are exposed to other illnesses.  You could be exposed to Covid-19. 

Take Care of Yourself

• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat healthily.
• Manage your stress. Stress lowers your immune system which makes you more susceptible to getting sick. 
• Take supplements. We’ve been taking Emergen-C.
• Stay away from sick people.
• Limit activity with large groups of people. 
  

Be Prepared

I’m thankful that the Bearded Rooster has been prepping. Looking back at history, this is not the first pandemic we’ve experienced and it won’t be the last. It’s a good idea to have a decent stockpile of the basics. 30 days is highly recommended by my prepping friends. 

Once you have a good supply built up, be sure and rotate your items. As you buy new items, use the older items first. Make sure you check the dates routinely. I use daylight savings time to help me remember. 

What Else Can You Do to Prepare for a Pandemic or Future Emergencies or Disasters? 

• Enough water
• Purchase 30 days of non-perishable items.
• Start a garden 
• Make sure you have a First Aid Kit
• Food preservation
• Of course, get chickens!