NOTE: I had a request to republish the following article. It was originally published back in March of this year when the COVID pandemic was just getting underway so please keep this in mind. It has been slightly edited.
We are in unprecedented territory. America is under siege by an invisible enemy and the seemingly required actions by Federal and State governments have opened a Pandora box the likes of which we have never seen before. Millions of American’s are fearful of the future as their employment falls into question. How will I pay my bills? How will I pay my rent/mortgage? How will I care for my family? What is going to happen?
This hits home as I lost my job this week like many others and now looking for employment in an environment where hiring is highly unlikely.
What do we do now?
If you are in a higher-risk health category the focus must be to not attain the virus at all. Quarantining by limiting exposure to people and the virus itself must be a priority.
Those at less risk, while still trying to avoid the virus, should focus on the economic challenges ahead. A strategic approach to making certain that basics such as food, water, medical, security, communication, and planning are taken care of.
In a word: Prepare.
Food
While food storage should have already been a priority for readers here, if stocks are not sufficient NOW is the time to make improvements. With income being diminished for so many the following is a list of foods with higher calorie content and lower prices:
- Rice – this is becoming more difficult to find at the moment, however, stores will be resupplied. Likely there will be limits on quantities to purchase. Rice is simple to prepare, keeps well and can be combined with many other foods and seasonings.
- Bread(flour)- Many stores have been selling out of bread. Make your own!! Simple to do and very inexpensive with as low as 4 ingredients(flour, salt, yeast, water).
- Pasta – Typically can be found on sale and keeps well. Don’t forget pasta sauce.
- Peanut Butter – Dense calories and great taste. Store brands are cheap.
- Canned Meat – Tuna, canned chicken, and SPAM are still available in most stores. While not the cheapest food they can be used to form meals and provide protein.
- Frozen Meals – There are meals available as low as $1.00 and with sufficient freezer space load up.
- Frozen Meat – If fresh is sold out there are usually boxes of frozen steak, hamburgers, and chicken available.
Water
Water is incredibly important for not only sustainment of life but for cooking and sanitation.
- Water is difficult to store as it is heavy and takes up a lot of space. Purchase gallon jugs of purified or spring water rather than bottled. Bottled water is very expensive compared to jugs.
- Build your own water filter system. There are lots of videos on YouTube on how to do this, however, many of the components are sold out or prices have skyrocketed. One option is the Sawyer Mini Water Filter Bucket Kit available from me. This kit allows a simple Sawyer Mini Water Filter(about $20) to be hooked up to a bucket so high volumes of water can be filtered. I normally sell this kit for $10.99 on eBay, however, I still have them for $9.99 with Free Shipping for readers of 1776PatriotUSA. Click HERE to check it out. Click HERE for the Sawyer Mini Water Filter. I highly suggest that you have at least TWO filter systems available.
- If you have a pool or rain barrels make certain they are full.
- Purchase Clorox bleach to be used to disinfect water.
Medical
- Stock up on current medications. Many insurance companies will allow you to get a prescription filled 5 days early.
- Make sure a good first aid kit is available as well as compression bandages.
- Wear prescription glasses? Make sure you have at least one spare pair.
- Have a variety of pain killers, anti-inflammatories, anti-diarrheal, and Severe Cough-Flu concoctions.
- If you lose your job or have no insurance check out GoodRX for discounts at pharmacies. Yes – it actually works in many cases.
Security
There are many cities across the country releasing criminals from their jails to reduce the possibility of spreading within the jail population. While this INSANITY going on this cannot end with positive results. Unemployment is going to skyrocket and many will become desperate. Crime is very likely to increase.
- At a minimum have a pistol or shotgun available for each adult in the household.
- MAKE SURE THOSE THAT HAVE ACCESS TO FIREARMS KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. The last thing anyone needs is to be shot in the ass by their cousin while trying to avoid the virus. Range time!!!
- Ammunition is in short supply for most common pistol calibers, thus, a shotgun is a good option. Regardless, a few boxes of ammunition for each firearm is a minimum.
Communication
With everything going on there are a couple positives: The power is on and does not seem to be at risk anytime soon and communication is still fully available. While a lesser priority there are a few steps to take just n case:
- Basic FRS/GMRS handheld radios should be put back along with extra batteries. These are extremely handy should the grid go down and can be fun and entertaining for little ones as well.
- Have a written list of names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses for friends and family just in case regular communication such a cell phones get interrupted.
- Keep a couple of soup cans and some string. You never know.
Planning
Everyone’s situation is different as far as geography, population density, housing, etc. Consider all aspects of your situation and think of what could happen if the power goes out, there was a large increase in crime, civil unrest, or if you needed to relocate. The more you think now and literally make a list the better you will be able to think and react later.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Trump Administration is pulling out all the stops to try to save the economy. Most people simply do not realize the impact this event is having on the economy – short and long term. Those who have been in the preparedness game for the past few decades have contemplated what an economic collapse would look like and how it would start. What is happening right now could easily be looked at as the catalyst that ends up creating a storm the likes of which this country has never seen. Hopefully not.
What do YOU think? What are you doing to deal with not only what is happening now but to also prepare for what lies ahead? Any advice or insight you wish to share? Please comment below.
Take care all.
Rourke