Are You Prepared to Ride Out the 2nd Wave?

When the first wave of COVID-19 hit the U.S., we were completely caught off guard.

And as we stepped into stores to replenish food and supplies, we were greeted by panicked shoppers and empty shelves.

Even down here in Florida, where we’re used to prepping for natural disasters, store shelves were wiped bare like never before.

It was, in a word, insane.

With cases rising once again, folks have begun to stockpile supplies in anticipation of another shutdown.

And while I don’t think we’ll see the desperation from the first wave, I do plan to have several critical items on hand “just in case.”

Tops on my list is food.

The first wave of the pandemic showed us how fragile our food supply chain was.

And a second wave, coupled with harsh winter weather, has the potential of impacting the availability of food once again.

Both FEMA and the Red Cross say that having a 72-hour supply of food on hand is absolutely essential to survival.

But if you get exposed to the virus, you’ll need to quarantine for at least 14 days.

I plan on keeping at least a 2-week supply of food on hand for both me and Karen with a combination of frozen and non-perishable food.

And, of course, I’ll be sure we have plenty of Ellie’s food, too.

If you plan on doing any holiday baking over the next couple of months, you should be looking for those supplies now.

Because for this second wave it’s not toilet paper and other paper products flying off the shelves, it’s baking goods.

In fact, demand for baking goods is up 3,400% compared to the same time last year.

So snatch up that flour and baking powder while you can.

What else am I keeping on hand? Cleaning supplies.

Hand soap for all the hand washing. And a few bottles of hand sanitizer for when we don’t have access to soap and water.

Plus, disinfectant wipes and cleaners with bleach to help kill any germs that may enter our house.

One thing you don’t want to be without if you’re stuck in your house for quarantine is medical supplies.

I’ve been snatching up bandages, antibiotic ointment and other items to ensure my first aid kit is well-stocked for the second wave.

And, of course, if we’re going to be stuck inside for days or weeks, we’ll need something to entertain us so our mind doesn’t turn to mush from watching TV 24/7.

I’ve got some games and puzzles to keep me and Karen occupied and entertained for the long haul.

At this point, we don’t know if another shutdown is coming, but even if it doesn’t happen, winter and the potential for severe storms is just around the corner. 

Best to start preparing for it now.

Stay safe out there.