Prudent Prepping: Where Have You Been?

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

... and with whom have you been doing things? That is an important question to answer, with what's happening in China, other nearby Asian countries and now here in North America.

Corona Virus
What do we really know about what is happening in China? Only what the Chinese government wants to tell us. To loosely quote a friend, "Any government that willingly starved and bulldozed millions of their citizens into mass graves can't be trusted to give reliable reports on this."

What To Do
Don't panic. Seriously. Continue to do the things you normally would:

• Sensibly add to your emergency stores of food, water and other supplies as needed by your situation.
• Check that those in your group are doing the same things.
• Talk to your friends and help them start prepping.

From talking to a senior RN with experience treating patients with easily spread diseases, adding masks to your preps is a good idea, but only a half-measure. These are where you need to start:

3M N95 Respirator

https://amzn.to/2RDxqqo

From the Amazon ad:

• NIOSH APPROVED N95 for at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non oil based particles and aerosols
• 3M COOL FLOW VALVE helps reduce heat build up inside the respirator
• BREATHE 30 percentage EASIER compared to 3M 8200, breathe easier is defined as initial pressure drop
• ADJUSTABLE M NOSECLIP helps ensure a custom, secure seal with fewer pressure points
• STRETCHABLE, BRAIDED HEADBANDS for comfort
• LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN for comfort
• COMFORTABLE for long periods of wear

Why is this a good place to start, you ask? My nurse friend mentioned masks are good for you when there is the possibility of you possibly transmitting a virus or germ. However, what's missing is eye protection or a face shield of some type. Since corona virus can be transmitted through the air, exposed eyes are also an easy way to become infected. She mentioned the use of eye protection in most operating rooms, and I know my dentist and the techs are now using it too. Unfortunately for me, all of this is not possible at my work, since we don't have a hazardous workplace or the corporate training to wear this gear.

Is all this overkill, an overreaction to what may turn out to be 2020's bird flu? Maybe; maybe not. Since the apparent incubation time is two weeks, how many of your friends, co-worker's friends, or their friends have had contact with someone from central China?

My best answer is, "I don't know." I see nothing wrong with laying in extra supplies of masks, hand sanitizer and maybe goggles just to be safe.

Coming Attraction
Just a little teaser!

Bottle Bag Challenge!

Recap And Takeaway

• Stock up, but be sensible about your purchases. All of the Home Improvement Centers on the west coast are sold out of masks -- from speaking to the shoppers in the stores I've been in, the majority are being bought and sent to China.
• Nothing was purchased by me this week, but things may be bought in the future to complete the Bottle Bag Challenge!

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If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.