Personal Pandemic Lessons

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

George Santayana

Human Experiences

In many ways, my personal experience of this Pandemic is bifurcated. I am over-stressed from work and the impact of the decisions I make or do not make; and, I am absolutely calm in my home life because I am prepared. The stress is caused by the ever changing policies and data that keeps me and my staff jumping. The calm comes from privileges I have from being a middle class, homeowner who is assured of my job, and fully prepared with food and household supplies. Clearly, not everyone is in my position.

However, there is something we all have in common as a species. Humans in general are short term thinkers. NPR writes: Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert argues that humans are exquisitely adapted to respond to immediate problems, such as terrorism, but not so good at more probable, but distant dangers, like global warming.

What this means is that we fall into known patterns that almost dictate that we will react to crisis in a short term way, and will retain the concerns and lessons for only a few generations. But then, humans will start to lose interest and memory as time continues, and we will have to relearn the same lessons over again.

As examples, I point to: 1) Our experience from the 1918 Pandemic that was learned, then lost; 2) The lessons from the 1930s dust bowl and financial failures that our grandparents or parents learned from, then we lost the memory and got rid of policies and oversight. 3) Our parents or grandparents’ knowledge of the Holocaust, and it too is now apparently getting lost (1).

• Lessons were learned after 1918, such as national leadership is needed, leaders should tell the American people the truth and not sugar-coat or hide the reality, and that the States needed to act in unison. (2, 3).
• In 1999, the US built large facilities throughout the country with stockpiles of medical supplies including PPEs (personal protective equipment) and medical equipment. But funds were not adequately provided to stay current (4, 5).
• Current Federal administration decided we did not need health scientists in China, nor did we need to be concerned with pandemics, and they released scientists, dismissed plans, and closed offices (6).

Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, and the USA is now leading the world in infections and deaths. Even so, it is not too early for us to learn from our current experiences, and prep for the next one. Especially since we have been told that it is likely we will see a “round 2” of infections, as the virus continues to spread around the world. So, here are my longer term suggestions for living with this virus and anticipating future ones.

One note about prepping: We need not turn into actual preppers. But, we do need to maintain a certain level of personal responsibility to take care of ourselves and neighbors. It is a truism that the small things we can do now, will serve us all in the longer term.

How I Respond

My Day Job

As the hints of Covid-19 started, and quickly grew, many of us who think about risk and disaster mitigations as part of our jobs, started to prepare. (Some Congress members evidently knew that they needed to prep by dumping their stocks, but that is another story.) At work, I started checking to make sure we had masks, cleaning supplies, and started the administrative parts of prepping, such as identifying essential staff.

But, we also started looking at longer term issues, such as how to continue teaching and conducting research. Because of our risk planning, some of my staff were ahead of me and ordered disinfectants and cleaning supplies, planned for eventual needs, and continue to do a wonderful job.

PattyCooks

Then I thought, I should let you know what I know about prepping. To help, I posted on 6 March Zombie Apocalypse. But those recommendations were for short term shortages (weeks to a month). I then posted how to Clean + Disinfect on 20 March, which included DIY cleaning solutions. Next was a 27 March, frozen food guidance, and now this post on learning lessons and planning. If there are other topics you would like me to address, please contact me.

Then, Now + To Come

Humanity has experienced numerous pandemics through our history, just look at the graphic above. My takeaway from this history, is that COVID-19 will not be our last experience with an unusual virus that raises to a pandemic level.

Additionally there are conditions right now, that the scientists have been warning us about.

• Humanity has been warned that as a result of global warming, the permafrost and glaciers are starting to thaw and potentially will release viruses and bacteria we have not seen (7).
• Due to poor farming practices, humans are pushing more into wild areas for farm land, which also has the potential to release new viruses and bacteria (8).
• Because of the continuation of wild, wet meat markets in parts of the world, the opportunities for viruses to jump from wild animals to humans continues (9).

These actions alone cause scientists to anticipate that more unusual viruses and diseases will be released (10, 11, 12) in the future. So let’s talk now about longer term lessons we can take from the current shortages we are experiencing. The reason for my interest is that we can, and must, do things better to be adequately prepared for the future events we absolutely know are bound to happen.

When I think deeply about these lessons, it almost seems as if we should be going back to some traditions from our grandmothers’ time: having food gardens, learning to make our own necessities, learning to heal ourselves for common ails, and learning about food preservation (such as canning).

Food Plantings + Gardens

Right now there is reporting that New Zealand is experiencing a food-plant shortage as the people there are starting to buy up those plants to make a garden in their back yard. The USA is just now seeing a surge in food plant sales, and seed purchases as well. This is being done, of course, anticipating additional food shortages due to the pandemic. Frankly, this is not a bad idea, and one I generally recommend anyway.

Essentially, I suggest we all consider building Victory Gardens, the same idea that was popular during WWII. What could be a better solution to food shortages, than having food right outside your back door? (Not to mention it will help the environment and wildlife.)

My quick list of tips for newbie gardeners, like me:

• Read details about the plants you want to grow, its sun and water requirements, its ultimate size, and importantly its yield before you decide what to plant
• Pick what you know you will want to eat (you must love zucchini to plant it, those can grow BIG)
• I find it harder to grow from seeds, easier from plants, so suggest you buy plants to get a head start on your garden
• Do not forget to also plant your favorite cooking herbs
• Long term planning: plant fruit trees, at least one citrus bush, consider blueberry bushes too

Detergents, Soaps + Sanitizers

We already know there continues to be a run on detergents, soaps, and sanitizers. To help, in my pandemic post of a couple of weeks ago I provided information on how to make your own sanitizers. Good items to always have on hand, as part of your regular household supplies, are: rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Castile liquid soap, and liquid bleach.

• We generally pack one large hand sanitizer gel in both cars, mainly because we pick up the dogs poop when they go to the dog park. This habit turned out to be helpful since we had hand sanitizer available. I do not use hand sanitizers at home, I prefer soap and water. But when away from home it makes sense, so keep some in your car.
• Hydrogen peroxide is part of our clothes cleaning supplies normally, since it is good for getting blood out of clothes and my lime bush scratches me sometimes.
• We normally have rubbing alcohol since there is a person with diabetes in my household and that is a necessary supply.
• What I am going to add to my everyday arsenal, is a container of tea tree oil.
• Since I do buy some supplies at Costco, I always have soap, toothpaste, deodorant, detergent, soap, and shampoo… in abundance.

For all the varied chemical-based household products we use today, perhaps our grandmothers use of home + kitchen products to clean are best: baking soda, vinegar, lemon or limes, and essential oils. Changing what we normally have on hand means that if we are caught unprepared, we can always clean and disinfect with what we have in our pantries.

DIY Soap

Learn to make your own Castile soap. This soap has no animal fats or human-made, animal-tested chemicals, and is a natural, nontoxic, biodegradable soap made from olive oil, water, and sodium hydroxide (a.k.a. lye).

Surfactants, such as Castile soap remove germs, bacteria, some grease and dirt. With some adjustments, it can be used for shampoo, clothes and dish detergent, toothpaste, pet wash, toilet cleaner, hand and body soap, and all purpose houshold cleaner (13). Of course, we can also buy liquid Castile soap and modify it to meet our needs.

Paper Products

From what we have seen, as the pictures are everywhere, toilet paper, paper towels, and Kleenex (TM) are top hoarded items. So make sure you always have enough to get through a month.

• Households with women tend to use more TP (14).
• TP hoarders, and serious preppers, should look at getting a Bidet ($500-$1k USD), then there is no need to fear the lack of TP again and you can leave some on the shelves for the rest of us
• If no TP is left, there is back-n-forth about using Kleenex (TM), but for sure, do not use strips of cloth! I have heard that using toilet seat covers will not clog the drains since they are made for flushing
• Use Kleenex (TM) and other paper products as TP, ONLY IF you toss all those wipes into a lidded trash can next to the toilet (be sure to line the can with a plastic bag)

Like others, we usually buy a large package of TP, paper towels, and Kleenex (TM) at Costco each time we visit. Thus, we always seem to have enough on hand.

Medicines + Supplies

Vaccinations

One lesson this Pandemic teaches me is the necessity for keeping up with flu and pneumonia vaccinations. The reason is to keep me healthy, so I do not use up a hospital bed and the protective gear those taking care of me would have to use.

Although I know this will infuriate many who consider vaccinations a “hoax”, but I am a believer in science, facts, and social contracts. So my view is that for the good of our greater community everyone should be vaccinated as part of our social contract. (Your lack of a vaccination risks my health, and frankly, you do not have that right.)

Medicines

For planning on medicine shortages and “stay in place” orders, you have to get your doctor to change how you get your meds. The doctors should all be issuing 90 day supply of drugs, and everyone should switch to online ordering, along with mail delivery. So long as the wonderful, courageous mail carriers are out there working, you will get your drugs delivered. Manufacturing shortages are, unfortunately, still feasible. Some of us need the medicines we take and replacements are not really an option. For instance, type 1 Diabetics need insulin.

Medical supplies

Supplies are also needed in our home cache. A box of gloves, particulate masks (remember the California fires and air quality?), and whatever we need. These can be easily made from materials we have in our homes, and there is a growing call for home-sewn masks even for medical personnel.

The point is that our home first aid kits need to not be just bandaids and ointments, but also other materials we may need for Pandemics.

• I bought up 2 extra gallons of distilled water for my C-pap machine, although I could use (cooled) boiled water if I run out
• I also bought extra consumables for my SoClean machine that sanitizes my C-pap
• We already had latex gloves, which we used to clean the kitty litter box, so they were on hand (pun intended)
• We already had some masks left over from the California fires
• We bought some extra alcohol wipes and needle containers for the person with diabeties in our family

When you can, buy for emergencies so you have a home stock. Masks, gloves, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, consumables for your devices, a good first aid kit in each car and a bigger kit at home.

Aches + Pains

During Pandemics, it is hard to call up or visit the doctor for some ailments that we can treat ourselves. There are herbs and other options when it comes to everyday ailments. These are going back in time to when herbalists, home taught remedies, and common sense of using what is around us played a critical role in treating everyday aches and pains.

• Sore muscles from working in your new food garden? Sit in a warm bath with Epsom salts.
• Want to increase your Vitamin C intake? Up your consumption of lemons from your tree and try herbal teas like Hibiscus.
• Feeling “under the weather?” Try a soothing chamomile tea with a bit of honey and rest.
• Stressed? Perhaps some CBD, meditation, or listening to music.
• Painkillers may include some essential oils, capsaicin, ginger, feverfew, and turmeric options.

Learn about these old-timey remedies, basic first aid, and see if they are helpful for you in terms of everyday aches and pains. This is not a suggestion you stop asking or taking your doctor’s advice, remember I am not a medical professional. But, perhaps we can reach for something else that is more readily available, or in our back yard?

Grocery + Delivered Food

We should imagine out, beyond a few months of “staying in place.” Imagine long term effects of our federal policies of cutting off borders, limiting visas, increased business closures, not having enough PPEs, not thinking and planning for long term, etc. One can easily then project that there may be high and negative impacts on farmers, truck drivers, and food handlers ability to plant this spring, harvest our food later, and distribute that food to us.

Depending upon how long this Pandemic lasts, at some point in the future, there will be local and global food system disruptions. In fact, we should already expect less food variations as global food systems are disrupted.

• Reports are that more countries are deciding to keep food stock in country and not ship them out
• More local farms are looking at food delivery models as a way to move their business forward
• Food prices will go higher for some products and will tank for others, I noticed egg prices are going up

So while I do not expect severe food disruptions AT THIS POINT I do expect food to be expensive, limited, and more in season.

Build Pantries

Frozen, packaged, canned, dried, etc., makes no difference. The shelves are emptying as fast as the grocers can fill them. From my perspective, each home should now have at least one pantry for food storage. If you do not have one, consider rectifying that situation.

Our food purchases need to be in the amounts we need for a month, not limited by how much space we have.

• We all need old-timey pantries, so we can keep ~1+ month backups to the basic staples and foods we normally consume.
• I have 3 larger closets or pantries.
  • One is for bathroom/paper supplies.
  • Another is for food.
  • And one is for bathroom/first aid/medicines.
• Because I always buy more food than an immediate need (except for fresh veggies + fruit), I use these spaces for overages. Thus, I am always semi-prepared for unexpected events.

Build Home Delivery Chests

RawStory: About 11 million homeowners reported having a package stolen in 2017 – and a separate 2018 survey found that almost a fifth of Americans said they had been a victim. Three-quarters of the 2017 thefts occurred during the day, and the average cost of the stolen items was close to US$200.

So we need to rethink how to get home deliveries. I have no doubt that many of us will continue to have food delivered to us, in part to minimize contacts with others for some time to come.

What I have suggested to friends who have homes and townhouses is that they consider building a lockable bench on their porches that are built into place, and not easily mobile. Then as deliveries are made they are placed in the box, the lock is shut, and you open it when you get home. (Or a box with two lockable compartments if you get many deliveries.)

Actual Survivalist Preppers

On 21 March, Mark O’Connell wrote in the NYT about his perception of the difference between survivalists and everyday folks prepping and responding to the “stay at home” directives. He writes that the people who are real survivalist preppers have a very particular, doomsday view of the future, their neighbors, our governmental and normative systems. You can tell, he argues, because their planning always includes guns + ammo, and fortressing their homes. Their view is to hunker down with one’s family, and expect everyone else to be a threat.

From my perspective, this view is of a very bleak future and speaks to a particular segment of our population. But does not speak to me. This pandemic requires I stay home bound, and physically isolated, but I am not doing this out of fear of my neighbors. Rather, I have a sense that we are all a community, and by taking these steps, everyone will be safer.

Who Am I?

Our response to emergencies, like this Pandemic, pull everything in us to the top. Our best and worst tendencies will show in how we respond emotionally, and what we do. At the same time, we are also a product of our family and life experiences.

Learning from history is important and the stories my mother and grandmother told are part of me, as much as my own experiences.

• My Oma remembered extreme shortages during the late 1920’s until the early 1950’s. During those periods following WWI, there was a world depression, and then WWII. Her personal experience was summed up in a letter to me where she wrote, life is like a war. She experienced heavy inflation, food insecurity, basic safety insecurity, violence, and governmental promises unkept due to administrators‘ greed.
• My mother learned from her childhood history of living in Munich during WWII and the bombing of that city. She has memories of wartime illnesses (lice, tapeworms, etc.), having to work hard as a youngster for a family in exchange for food and shelter, and shortages of all kinds. She told me she sold her hair so the rich could have wigs; she needed the food.
• In turn, I learned from food insecurity, income disparity, and ethnic hatred.

So what have these histories taught me personally?

• I always consider what support my family needs to survive catastrophes that are likely to happen in my area (earthquake, fire, hill-slides, pandemics, etc.) and prepare
• Steps have been taken to keep my house safe during and after catastrophic events, and I have backups in case the house is unlivable (tents and full camping gear)
• I think about the medical needs of my family and try to keep on hand what we may need
• I buy canned, frozen, boxed, and dried food, and keep more on hand than I need so there are emergency food supplies always available
• I am a DIY or “maker” so have on hand what I need to keep me, my family, and neighbors safe and ”make my own” when needed
• In short, I have a risk-oriented mind set and favor preparation and mitigation so that me and my community stays healthy and safe

This is not news to anyone who knows me. In fact, folks have always laughed at me and my prepping. But know that while I am not obsessive about this, I am prepared.

What about you? Who are you?

—Patty

—**—

Recipe: Asian Cabbage Bowl is a dish I made up today to help use up some fresh foods that are aging. Tasted good to me and I think I will keep this on my rotation for a couple of months.

Tip: Hash is getting to be my go-to: one carb (potato, yam, or sweet potato), protein (sausage, tempeh), eggs (augmented with Chia or Flax seed egg replacements), and cheese (any kind) with herbs as a topping. Sometimes I add some greens and thus have a wonderful mixture of taste, textures, aromas, and visuals.