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CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

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Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#111
post #94

as a college student, what would be the best foods other than ramen, beans, and rice to be stocking up on?

Not food, however buy some cheap cases of bottled water. Usually at places like Kroger or Walmart you can find generic bottled water for ~$2.50-$3.25 for a 24 or 32 pack case. In theory the water supply should be fine, but, clean water is one thing you can die without fairly quickly (compared to food), and it's very inexpensive in non-panic times. Buy two or three cases of water and put them to the side. If everything goes fine, you can drink them regardless. If everything goes very badly, you will be thankful to have the supplies.

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#112
post #98
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I've lived for 30 days in alaska on a glacier > devolved into small groups of people who didn't share food. In what context did this happen? Doesn't sound like a fun camping trip

I was on a course from something like the Wilderness Education Association- basically training to be a "wilderness leader" (but the instructors were pretty clueless). Some things I learned: While in most places if it rains you will dry out after a few days, but it's so humid in alaska the only way to dry clothes is to wear them at night in a wet sleeping bag (it dries by morning). Glacier runoff rivers are no joke, w…

Cool. Thanks for answering

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#113

The tens of millions of people in the US who are underinsured, lack sick leave, or can’t afford to miss work would seem to almost guarantee a disaster if this hits with force, no? 27% of people in the US can’t even afford a $400 emergency expense, which is (generously) the cost of maybe one visit to verify illness or moderate symptoms.

The 27% of people in the US you're referring to, almost all have free healthcare coverage.

That's not the correct number regardless, it's closer to 10-12% of adults, directly from a prominent study performed by the Federal Reserve.

By far the biggest healthcare problem the US will have, if the virus hits hard, is a swamping of resources, a general over-taxing of the entire healthcare system and all ICU beds.

The US can, anytime it sees fit, fire off a very large healthcare emergency funding program, printed magically out of thin air. We can offer waivers to the entire population for expenses. It will be considered a national emergency. The national guard will be mobilized. The population will pay for it via taxation and wealth debasement (debt, printing), just as they do in natural disasters now. Money is not the primary concern, Congress is always happy to spend - it's going to be health system infrastructure vs case load. We won't be able to put together the resources fast enough in an emergency situation (eg NYC & LA having having 100,000 cases). China moved as fast as they could and couldn't manage it, and they're able to move drastically faster than the modern US will be able to.

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#114

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…

I am absolutely baffled that someone would down-vote this comment. I don't understand. I would love for someone to actually match their down-vote with an explanation. Maybe there's something to be learned there. Having lived through at least a couple of important earthquakes in the Los Angeles region I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, you do not want to wait until the last minute to get ready for any kind o…

Preparing to stay at home is reasonable. Expecting for no stores to be open isn't - even in Wuhan, stores have been open and selling essential goods.

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#115
post #77

Basically every household should already have, regardless of the origin of the disaster: 1 month of clean drinking water or reliable (tested) filtration devices and a impure water source (local streams likely to have various bacteria that will make you sick). 1 month of food that requires minimum water and fuel to cook (quick oats > slow cook oats). Enough fuel to cook that food (most of your food should not require…

Why should I prep for a disaster? The odds of needing those supplies is effectively zero, and I don’t have the storage space for them.

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#116
post #44
post #23

So I see this information from the CDC and news outlets, but the head of the World Health Organization seems to be saying something quite different: “For the moment, we are not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus, and we are not witnessing large-scale severe disease or death.” https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/02/who-tries-to-calm-ta...

If this pandemic has exposed anything, it's that the WHO is a political entity woefully unequipped to handle any real scenario. The leadership has been seemingly downplaying this from day 1 and repeating talking points from the CCP. They are obviously trying to avoid causing panic in the financial markets, and putting that above actually informing world leaders and the public of the danger. See their recent release s…

Or maybe... they are more equipped than anyone else and are taking the proper, measured actions?

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#117
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for posting these. I'm putting some time into preparing my family for any potential quarantine situations here in the US. These guides are aimed at policymakers and government officials. Have you, by chance, found any practical guides for what individuals can do to increase the resiliency of their households? I assume this is all very similar to having a well-stocked earthquake kit (which we do have), but I'm…

- Wash your hands. - If you're in a cold climate, be aware of how to drain your heating (if you use water) or water supplies within the house in the event of an extended power outage. - Have a normal kit. - Keep the cars gassed up. - Avoid travel to crowded places and aircraft.

What is a "normal kit"?

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#118
post #115
post #77

Basically every household should already have, regardless of the origin of the disaster: 1 month of clean drinking water or reliable (tested) filtration devices and a impure water source (local streams likely to have various bacteria that will make you sick). 1 month of food that requires minimum water and fuel to cook (quick oats > slow cook oats). Enough fuel to cook that food (most of your food should not require…

Why should I prep for a disaster? The odds of needing those supplies is effectively zero, and I don’t have the storage space for them.

Because there is an ongoing disaster?

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#119
post #115
post #77

Basically every household should already have, regardless of the origin of the disaster: 1 month of clean drinking water or reliable (tested) filtration devices and a impure water source (local streams likely to have various bacteria that will make you sick). 1 month of food that requires minimum water and fuel to cook (quick oats > slow cook oats). Enough fuel to cook that food (most of your food should not require…

Why should I prep for a disaster? The odds of needing those supplies is effectively zero, and I don’t have the storage space for them.

You should only prep for disaster if you want to survive a disaster, which is rare for more people. I live in earthquake country, and though I have not experienced anything larger than M4 in the past 28 years, stochastically we can expect a very large ($BILLIONS, with massive short term problems) quake at some point in Northern California in the next 50 years.

The items I describe fit on a single shelf (except the water; I have a water filter and a nearby stream, so I only keep a few liters on hand).

Re: CDC outlines what closing schools, businesses would look like in US pandemic

#120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am absolutely baffled that someone would down-vote this comment. I don't understand. I would love for someone to actually match their down-vote with an explanation. Maybe there's something to be learned there. Having lived through at least a couple of important earthquakes in the Los Angeles region I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, you do not want to wait until the last minute to get ready for any kind o…

Preparing to stay at home is reasonable. Expecting for no stores to be open isn't - even in Wuhan, stores have been open and selling essential goods.

What good is an open store when your door is welded shut and hourly police patrols prohibit anyone from going out?
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