I'm advising everyone in my circle to prepare for a 30 to 45 day at-home stay and assume no stores will be open during that time. I think this is the prudent thing to do. I would also advise speaking to your neighbors to make them aware of the need to be prepared. To that point, buy a little extra of everything --well, maybe food only-- so you can help a few people out during what is likely to be a difficult time. Ha…
Since you asked, >I'm advising everyone in my circle to prepare for a 30 to 45 day at-home stay and assume no stores will be open during that time. I think this is the prudent thing to do. I think that's the paranoid thing to do. I'm stocking up a bit so that I can stay inside if I personally get sick, but that doesn't require 30-45 days of supplies. I don't even really have room for that much stuff in my tiny apartm…
I know all of my neighbors, well, at least somewhere between 30 to 40 of them. We've known them for years, decades in some cases. We actually have gatherings at each other's homes every so often. Try it, it's called contact with humanity. Not that hard. Neighbors are human beings, just like you. Sure, it requires a bit of effort, but anyone can do it.
> I think that's the paranoid thing to do
Yikes. More of the above. Sorry you feel that way. Ask the people in Wuhan it they think such a recommendation might be paranoid. Or how about the 1,000 people in Spain who just got quarantined in a hotel. Of the 300+ in Austria?
Proposing families and individuals prepare for a potentially extended quarantine isn't paranoid, it's caring enough about other to make sure they are aware of what might lie in the horizon. In my experience not everyone is well informed. I've had many conversations with people during the last few days who a) had no idea how bad things are around the world b) had no clue there's a better than 50% probability we'll have to contend with it in the US (not my words, this was said today at the CDC press conference).
> that doesn't require 30-45 days of supplies
If we get hit hard with COVID-19 in our large cities you'll be lucky if you have to stay locked-up for just 30 days. First of all, we now think the incubation period could be as long as 27 days (this is news out of Wuhan). So, right there you have justification for 30 days as a MINIMUM period. And it is worse because you can't risk re-infection. Aside from the fact that it would absolutely implode every economy in the world and cause more death, re-infection for not observing a reasonable 30 to 45 day quarantine period is just irresponsible.
Coming back to your own situation, I refuse to believe someone doesn't have the space for 30 days worth of food and essential supplies. OK, you don't have room for stake and burgers. You have to adapt. A 50 lb bag of rice will probably feed you for a month. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Add to that, say, 3 cans for something per day (soup, meat, whatever you like) and you have the basics. Do you have room for 100 cans of food under your bed, behind the TV, under the desk, in the bathroom? Probably. Not that hard.
Anyhow, free country and all that. You get to choose which reality you get to navigate. I'd rather be responsible, coordinate with friends, family and neighbors, help each other, prepare for a reasonable set of circumstances and come out of it in good shape.
Good luck.