Dakota

A Shopping List Just in Case There's a Flu Pandemic

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Note: A new and improved list is available. It was composed on 9/21/05. This one isn't bad though.

I had some hesitation about compiling this list, since Esther Hicks, channeling Abraham, says that you attract that to which you pay attention. However, she has also said in a response to a questions about hurricanes, that you can get out of the area entirely, or, if you own a house in the path of an oncoming storm, you can arrange to be safe and comfortable in the eye of it.

I know I risk sounding like a lunatic survivalist, but, as with a hurricane, a pandemic of avian flu may or may not be on its way, so here's my prep list for a voluntary quarantine to save you some research.

If it really gets bad, those that provide essential services will be too sick to do so, or as the experience of SARS in Canada showed us, people just won't show up to do their jobs, thus the camping equipment.

KEEP YOUR CAR FILLED WITH GAS at all times - maybe have some fuel in lawn mower gas carriers.
CASH though it may not do you any good
Barterables -- I hate to say cigarettes, maybe chocolate, whiskey, good wine

Probably the worst place to visit during a pandemic is the drugstore, since relatives of the sick are most likely to be there. So along with supplies to keep your symptoms at bay if you catch the flu, keep on hand your good grooming stuff -- soap, deodorant, kleenex, toilet paper, razors (shave beards so that face masks can seal properly)

. WATER - order collapsible containers from the net and fill them up - bottled water is treated for bacteria, I think and may last longer, you can refill the collapsibles weekly or just wait until it looks like water might be in short supply.
A friend who lives in earthquake country says she was told to fill old bleach bottles with water, after they're empty - just enough chlorine left for purification. This water purification aficionado has a number of different systems for gathering and purifying water, have cotton, white socks, charcoal and coffee filters on hand for homemade solutions.

. goggles that seal, like swim goggles
. safety goggles (found in hardware stores) will fit over glasses and, at least, stop you from rubbing your eyes
. face masks - nanomasks are supposedly virus proof.
. large garbage bags
. smallish garbage bags
. bleach - a primary viricidal - have many gallons on hand but don't buy it until the last minute, since it loses potency when stored
. laundry detergent
. latex gloves --large supply disposable
. household rubber gloves
. batteries
. flashlights and lanterns (LED preferably)
. candles
. matches
. charcoal briquettes
. fill BBQ propane tanks
. campstove + fuel
. water purification tabs
. a wind-up radio that doesn't depend on batteries
. denatured alcohol
. TWO can openers
. spray bottles to use for spraying self,clothing, cars, outerwear shoes with 10% bleach solution if you have to go out and come in
. print out a preparation manual

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS -

. Be sure to have at least a month's supply of all the prescription drugs you and your family take for existing conditions

. Tamiflu - be sure to check the expiration date - maybe your doctor will write you a prescription (though most doctors don't think there's a problem, but they're not epidemiologists, who definitely do), or you can get them on the net for a premium without a scrip.

. antibiotics for secondary infections

. Get your hepititus, typhoid and tetanus shots updated.

OTHER ANTIVIRALS - OVER THE COUNTER

. Sambucol elderberry syrup - a proven viricidal that comes in sugarless too.
. red wine - a viricidal for its ingredient resveratrol - evidently New York State Pinot Noir has the highest resveratrol levels so go for that -- Trader Joes has Charles Shaw red for @ $3.00/ bottle, not bad for medicinal purposes
. if you cannot drink wine, you can get the anitviral ingredient resveratrol in capsule form at health food stores or on line - however, there is something about grape skins soaked in alcohol that cannot be matched

. Immune system boosters - the clerk at Whole foods told me to alternate between a bottle of elderberry, then astragalus, then reishi mushrooms
. kombucha tea - Yoga tea makes it
. fresh garlic -a string
. miso
. onions - a sack

. Omega 3 fatty acids and flax seed oil protect lungs
. Gaterade for electrolyte replacement - it comes in powdered form for easier storage
. vitamins to make up for the lack of fresh fruit and vegies
. Theraflu, Nyquil, Sudaphed or the generic for symptom relief
. aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol
. No Salt, for potassium replacement
. peptobismal
. cough medicine

Homeopathic remedies
. colloidal sovereign silver
. Croalus Horridus

FOOD AND DRINK
I went to Ocean State Joblot, a local surplus store, and roamed the aisles for bargains. Lobster bisque, olives and jarred artichokes were plentiful. I could choke these down in a pinch. Got a case of canned salmon. All this can be donated to your local shelter if you don't use it.

coffee and tea - and a non electric way of making/ grinding them
parmalot- real milk preserved for the shelf for milk drinkers
coffeemate/powdered milk
bouillion cubes

Some of us could learn to bake, if our ovens work.

flour
sugar
baking powder
baking soda
powdered milk
yeast
salt

nuts
dried fruit
chocolate
power/granola bars

canned fish or meat
huge bag of rice (I got jasmine at Costco)
mayo
canned chili
canned soups
canned veggies (yuck, except for corn and beets)
chick peas
dried mushrooms, shitake are good for the immune system
sun dried tomatoes

Think of things you can eat with little prep, both because you may not have any power, and because you may be ill.
ramen noodles
hot cereals
cold cereals
pasta and sauce
I would say rice bowls etc, but if something has to be microwaved, you might not have the facilities

You could try stock piling frozen foods, especially if you are a meat or vegie fancier, but you may lose them all if the power fails.

I decided to get bags of frozen vegetables -- if my freezer goes, I can always make vegetable soup

Cheese, butter and bread can be frozen and refrozen if thawed according to the hurricane clean up folks -- if you're into any of that

Lettuce can be grown inside on sunny window sills if you have seeds, and you're shut in for a spell.

Boredom could be your worst enemy
books
dvds
video
music
games
puzzles
cards
demold your grout
organize your photo albums
clean your closets
reupholster your furniture
reread Dakota

Luxuries
.a generator
.battery powered TV
.good red wine instead of swill
.a laptop computer
. satellite telephone with handcranked recharger
. a hand cranked cellphone recharger
. a nifty combo
. an email account at yahoo or gmail that can be accessed remotely

I'll add to this list as I think of stuff.

Photo note: The casing from a Chinese firecracker in a perfect form

Addendum: Yesterday I started to sneeze and drip uncontrollably. I took sudafed all afternoon, and then tried elderberry capsules. They worked, but it could be the placebo effect. Who cares, I'm better.

Posted by Dakota at August 4, 2005 08:12 PM