Handshakes will be out for me, hand sanitizer will be in most of my rooms, car and purse at all times. I will have a three month food supply for an emergency, maybe install a bidet in our bathroom, communal food containers will be a thing of the past, pushing elevator buttons with some type of protection, social distancing, cut down on appointments, using telemed for doctor appointments. Won't shop every three days, instead once week or every other week, limit eating out at restaurants. Make food ahead of time and freeze, makes life a lot easier. I learned I can be still and enjoy the quietness no matter how much work I have to do, I learned it is ok to take an afternoon nap and take a good amount of time for myself. I also learned I had to depend on myself for my health, and the health of my mother. Doctors and staff were more concerned with the virus as opposed to our underlying conditions and the doctors were not available. Be more independent thinking when it comes to our health. I could go on and on, but I will leave the rest to all of you. My old habits will be changed forever!
Individual and collective safety measures are important, but from the resistance I'm seeing, I don't know how some of the protestors can be educated to understand the benefit of masking and distancing.
There are probably other global factors, but, on to your questions....and the second aspect: what we can do ourselves.
You have an excellent, well thought out plan. I'm going to copy your post if you don't mind and add the suggestions by category to my own plan.
What I'm doing is separating those things that I can grow or make vs. those that have to be bought. My parents bought on sale and stored, and I've continued to do that, so I'll have a good stockpile for things I can't make.
I'm buying a pasta machine to make my own, as I love pasta in salads.
I'm planting more areas of the garden to generate more food for current consumption and storage, and also (a) bringing my father's dehydrator back to my house for dehydrating food (b) buying an ice cream maker so I can have my own supplies of this mandatory (!) food), studying and hopefully being able to build a root cellar for storage of root crops, and (c) creating a cold frame for growing during the winter (this will be a challenge but I know someone in a cold weather state who's done it for years).
I'm restringing the clothes line to dry clothes outdoors as much as I can and save on electricity, using the extra money for the food I can't make on my own.
I'm "biting the bullet" to get the stand alone garage electrified so I can add a second frig, as well as create another storage area for non temperature subject items.
I'm sure I'll think of additional ideas as I read others' posts.
Thanks for raising this very important and helpful topic.
The idea of stringing up a clothes line is appealing, I've been thinking of doing that again and now is a good time to do that. It's good exercise too. That I need a ton of.
I hear ya with the exercise! I need to use my treadmill for more than a place to hang clothes!
I think I ate 4 days worth of food in 24 hours, the first time I shopped so extensively...yeah... :0( Nervous eating is NOT a good combination for a quarantine!
Make sure my "rainy day" fund is healthy for a possible long run.
When hand sanitizers are back on the shelves, will get a few bottles as there is an expiration date on them. Bet they are still good for a few more months after that date. We have sanitizer bottles in our cup holder in the vehicles.
Get a new refrigerator as my 30 year old Hotpoint only holds so much in the freezer. I don't have space for a French door one, I can only go up as I never use the cabinets above my refrigerator so those can be pulled out.
Cat litter has a long shelf life, so I will start stocking up on those jugs.
We have been using restaurant "carry-out" for many years ever since when my folks were alive and eating inside became too difficult. Carry-out worked great, eating in our own dining room without all the noise. Olive Garden was our favorite :)
Also had been using curb-side grocery pickup for many years as I just couldn't deal with doing my grocery shopping then returning to the store to do my parent's grocery shopping. I hate to shop !! Going on-line saved my sanity.
I am going to miss handshakes and hugs, as I know it will be awhile before people start feeling comfortable doing that again.
Our world will likely never be the same again. And what's more, the really young "pups" just growing-up right now, will think that masks and not hugging or shaking hands is the way life has always been...
One thing I desperately miss...is the food from our tiny Mexican restaurant down the street. :0( I don't think they will survive the financial hardship this has caused everyone. Such wonderful, hard working, fun-loving folks too. The food was amazing! I find myself dreaming of their Carnitas.
I noticed that we did run low on TP, which caused a small concern. Our house is tiny and TP takes up a lot of room (excuses, excuses) so I never stockpiled that and for a couple of weeks it seemed like we'd never get any!
I needed to have kept up our canned goods supply. Most of our food storage is dehydrated, so a slightly fresher version would have been nice. I'll be working on that.
STOP touching my face! I can't believe how much I touch my face, eyes in an hour! I'm not a pretty princess, so it's not as if I'm checking my makeup--I just touch my face too much.
Somehow find ways to stay calm--I am OK during the days, but whoa--insomnia many, many nights. I have to find a way to work through the 'what ifs' that came wiht this pandemic and may stay a long time. I have 5 kids, all married and 14 grands and a hubby who is not in terrific health. I worry about all of them. Don't care what happens to me, but I get in a swivet about the family.
I, too, feel for the small, neighborhood retaurants that opted to not even try to stay open. I don't think one of them is going to be able to come back. We have been trying to support small businesses that do curbside, but it's hard--just DH and me and we don't put much out there.
EDUCATION: I have too many friends who think the virus is just 'out there'
floating along in the wind. They DO NOT understand it has to 'BE' somewhere...and our state has a very low count, hope to keep it that way. But, much as I try to explain that the virus is not on their lawns, or the doorknobs in their homes that NOBODY goes into---I feel frustrated.
I also hope we are better prepared to help those for whom work and school were safe places--as opposed to the 'celebrities' we see, isolating with their nannies and bodyguards. I was so glad to know my neighbor who has suffered from DV finally got her abusive husband to move out, mere days before the shutdown occured. I shudder to think what could have happened to her.
As much 'prep' work as I had done for just such a scenario--it was not enough!! We're stupid, us humans, thiking we're in charge. We most assuredly are not.
I agree with the poster who mentioned the garden. I will try to have a more prolific garden this year to grow my own food instead of relying so heavily on the grocery store.
I'm intending on setting boundaries regarding visitors. My siblings would drop in unannounced at random times to see mom, overstay and tire her out. With the time to reflect, I realize I need to set guidelines for them and try to educate them on what mom can handle.
One thing I hope will be talked about more as we recover from this pandemic is financial preparedness. I realize that people who make low wages can't save easily. I'm thinking more about people who make a comfortable living and spend, spend, spend. I hope that more people realize the need for savings. I read a statistic that 60 percent of Americans don't have $1000 in savings. No wonder so many people are hurting for money.
My husband and I are very frugal and are so thankful now that we are. Over the years, it's been hard watching our friends go out to eat often, go on cruises, buy new cars, etc. But, we are OK during this and those same friends are struggling. I hope that they learn from this experience, skip Starbucks and put some money aside.
(Getting down from my high horse now...)
Like others, I miss hugs...especially my mom!!
The change that I did make was getting some cash to have at home.
Apparently, the black market for toilet paper only takes cash!
Until there is a vaccine my husband and I will continue with masks and social distancing. We are both in our late '60's and have medical histories of kidney problems and high blood pressure. We need to take care that we do not contract the next nasty virus.
I actually like shopping no more than once a week because I feel like it saves money. Unless an item is on sale at a good price I stick to buying only the items on my shopping list.
I like cooking. I like eating healthy. I like eating out occasionally as a treat.
I was never a person bothered by crowds before. Now I feel that I will experience some anxiety in a crowd.
I started sewing masks to give away. I enjoy sewing. I may continue sewing.
Most of all I will continue to hold the people I love most closely to my heart.
An extra pair of glasses!!!
I wear contacts once I’m showered and dressed. But first thing out of bed in the morning and later in the evening when I’m reading, or my eyes are a little tired and dry - I wear my glasses.
About a week ago my glasses broke right in the middle of the nose piece. Super gluing didn’t work so now I have a Q-tip as a splint and scotch tape securing it in place. I look like a complete moron - cracks my hubby up to no end.
Right about now, the last thing I want to do is to go trying on frames - that a bizillon other folks have had around their nose so I’ll be sporting this Q-tip style for a while. But when I finally order a new pair - I’ll be buying two!
This spring there have been no distractions. I have not met with any of the friends and family since the end of February. I keep up by phone and email, and have sent my mother some cards. My garden has been my refuge and the projects I have been working on have given me both the joy of completing them and the delayed pleasure of sitting on a bench and enjoying the effect. This has given me so much pleasure, much more than the endless socializing ever did.
Of course I will resume meeting with people eventually, but it will be much less often and for shorter, and perhaps more convenient times. Even though I have enjoyed our favorite restaurants and coffee shops, I may prefer to have a few people in to my house for a late afternoon tea. In good weather tea in one of my courtyards (I've broken up some larger spaces into more intimate spaces this spring.) The idea of sitting in a crowded tea shop simply no longer appeals to me.
The internet is a fantastic resource for food experiments and substitutions. Lots of tips on food storage and food safety. I compare government sites and personal websites to get the most usable information for what I want to do. I go to store websites to see if they list the products I need. It's been weeks and I've still not rounded up any instant milk.
I would consider home delivery for future needs. The drawback is when I ask for green lentils, they pick up green peas. When I ask for corn tortillas, they substitute flour tortillas. Some items look similar, but just aren't when it comes to the actual food preparation. Young shoppers are having to figure out what the real food is vs. the junk food they are used to.
It sort of reminds me of when I'd send my spouse to the store. If he didn't find what I wanted, he'd find one of the guys working the isles. He said it was more fun to ask the young men to help since they would walk him around the store and strike up a good conversation. I learned if he didn't get home by a certain time, that something interesting was in the shopping cart. I always made good use of it anyway. Just an older version of a young shopper.
I will avoid the free concerts this summer and the gyms. My exercises at home do not match the benefit of the gym class but it will have to suffice. If we get through next flu season without so many outbreaks and deaths between now and next winter, I'll reconsider. At that time, I'll reconsider getting together at public events.
I'm really hoping there will be a vaccine, but appears that is a ways down the road.
well. That or a miracle that makes the virus completely disappear.
In the mean time, I’ll be continuing to live as isolated as possible. I’m afraid that this will just keep coming in waves. Even so, herd immunity will take forever - and even then, they don’t yet know how long any immunity might last.
So it’s back to a vaccine.
I’ve read some somewhat encouraging info regarding a vaccine. Supposedly, there are about 70 vaccines around the world in various stages of development. One out of Seattle just went to stage two - which is good. However, this particular vaccine is being made by a company that can’t mass produce. As well, Johnson & Johnson has a promising candidate with two backups - but they won’t begin testing in humans until September. Still - timeline wise, this is the best bet. Due to the size of the company and their previous experience in vaccines, they are saying they can have nearly one billion vaccines ready by April 2021. With 7 1/2 billion people on the planet this will still take time.
Im hoping that if some of the smaller company’s vaccine is ready first that governments around the world could work together to get more vaccines made quickly. But - I kinda laugh - sadly - as I type that. Most of the companies working on the vaccine are planning to sell it “for profit”. And governments working together? HA! Although J&J say they will make theirs a nonprofit. They also say they are planning to start to make millions of the vaccine “at risk” meaning before they know for sure it will work - just so there will be a quick turn around.
Anyhoo - sorry for babbling away. I think I wrote this to reassure myself as much as anything. I’m really struggling with the horror of this pandemic.
Stay safe!
Oh my gosh, using that Irish Spring is soooo much better than the liquid hand soap. It has a lot of foam and our hands do not get chapped from so much hand washing. Plus the bar last a long time. This is a winner, and our hands smell so good :)
Yardley soaps were on sale recently so I stocked up, and got Aloe & Avocado, Shea Buttermilk and Creamy Coconut. I don't really sense the fragrance, but they are soft and smooth, and I feel indulgent just by using them.
One of the best I've had for fragrance was Mountain Mist, made by the woman from whom I used to buy organic lotions, creams, salves and lipstick. I loved the scent so much I couldn't use the soap. I think I've had it for over a dozen years now!
I don't think I'll buy liquid soap any more; it's become so thin that it barely seems like soap.
Oh my goodness where do I start??
I would definitely be more prepared, I’m so ashamed that I was so unprepared this first time, I can’t believe it’s late April and I still can’t find toilet paper, not even on Amazon.
I would want to be prepared from ‘November to April’ with ALL paper products from toilet paper to my mother’s depends! Have a fully stocked medicine cabinet...Mucinex, Tylenol, Robitussen, Aspirin, Vitamins & Minerals. At least a 90 supply of our daily meds. Major cleaning supplies from bleach (bc I still can’t find bleach) wipes, sanitizers, aerosol disinfectant (to spray on our shoes!) detergent, distilled vinegar, soap, disposable masks & gloves.
Canned salmon, tuna fish, beans, PB & J. I want to have my food cabinets fully stocked So all I need to order for grocery delivery is produce/meat. it’s been outrageously expensive to buy weekly items from Apps (please don’t get me wrong I appreciate that it’s even available when you actually get a delivery date) but when you really don’t have money it’s a real hardship for delivery fees, service fees and tipping on every single purchase. Extra batteries, flash lights for a storm during Covid-19 too.
I wish I had a washer & dryer it’s been completely stressful, and anxiety to no end to go out and wash our clothes at a laundromat...I actually pay for a second wash cycle bc I don’t know who used the machine before me and extra extra hot time in the dryer, I’m paranoid.
We live in the epicenter of this virus in this country, I’m still so worried I can’t even sleep. I see so many ppl not taking it seriously at all and it’s sad. I thank God I have a home with a backyard, small porch at least we can go out and get some fresh air once the weather gets warmer.
Actions I would change - no more kissing ppl hello, no more peace be with you handshakes at Mass, or any business interactions, I don’t believe I’ll be taking my mom to any restaurants anytime soon (or any other crowded place), it’s hard for someone with Dementia not to touch their face, etc. it’s hard for me!
wow I’m writing too much (sorry) you get the picture;)
We are gradually changing our yard from flowers to flowering bushes to cut down on work. If it was just me, I would take some of them out, put in lawn and hire someone to mow. But hubby, who has Alzheimer's, still loves to work in the yard, not nearly as good or efficent as he used to, but it keeps him busy and happy.
I think the biggest changes are yet to come. We may all be required to wear face masks in public and make good use of hand sanitizer as well.
I am not going to wear a mask everywhere...and I don’t intend to stay six feet away but I will honor those that still want to maintain social distancing by not invading their space...
I might view this differently if I lived in a packed metro area...but I don’t...
Maintain a plentiful stock of toilet paper, paper towels, simple hand soap and basic cleaning supplies.
Dont miss any opportunity to tell someone how much I love them.
Cut ties with negative, ungrateful and selfish people. It sure is easy to spot them in adverse circumstances.
For us, all that hand sanitizer and germ chasing in the house is not necessary. There are just 2 of us in the house. No one except the cleaning lady who comes twice a month has been in our house for months. My daughter might have been in 3 months ago or so. Hubby and I remember the quarantines from years ago. Remember, we delt with Polio, Scarlet Fever, Bryce Disease, Mumps, WhoopingCough, Measles and and many other diseases. I have been quarantined before so this is not my first rodeo, maybe that makes a difference.
I have a girlfriend who is a germ-a-phobic. She drives me nuts spraying everything down all the time. She does not give her body time to develop immunity to anything. I believe we need to develop anti-bodies to diseases. Otherwise, our poor immune system doesn't develop because it has nothing to practice on. I think that was a George Carlin saying.
Since this is not my or hubby's first rodeo with communicable diseases, I guess we have a different attitude. Also, we have tried to learn from life and we always have plenty of food on hand. I went hungry when I was young and it leaves marks on your soul. Our big shopping was fresh fruits and vegetables, The stores had plenty of those. I am going to keep trying to purchase food that is grown here in the U.S.
I have never liked hand shaking and I usually make an excuse for not shaking someone's hand but sometimes it is hard to avoid. I do love the hugs, thanks to my lovely Latin friends. I did not grow up that way in my family, but I do enjoy it. Giving and receiving. I think the ordering food and products online is not so great, especially now. Yes, it is handy but the poor people that work for Amazon and some of these companies are getting sick because they are not being protected! And they are extremely overworked. I worked in the delivery business for 8 years when I was younger. It is hard, stressful and physical work!
I think being grateful is huge. Yesterday I went out and took photos of the lovely spring flowers and trees in my home here in the PNW of the U.S. and some of the pretty old homes and their gardens. I sent the photos to my friends to let them know what I was up to and received many compliments and greetings. In my isolation as a single female, it gave me joy to give a smile to someone, wave as we crossed the street to avoid each other and just having so much fresh spring air amongst such beauty! It is also a realization that we cannot take anything for granted. I know many people plans have been disrupted-travel-funeral-weddings and that is heart-breaking. But we are moving forward, tho albeit slower than some of us would like.
Interesting to read everyone's responses. Thanks!
Accomplishing only 2 important things a day
Nourishing spirit
Turning from vegetarian to vegan
Helping saving animals from animal markets and animal farms
Calling all my friends every weekend
Cutting down all non essential
Live every day as it was the last one
Love deeper
Speak sweeter
Give forgiveness I've been denying
Tim McGraw Live like you were Dying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9TShlMkQnc