Research Paralysis
You only need look as far as any one of a number of preparedness websites to find reports of stock shortages. Groceries and PPE seem to be getting in short supply. While there are many sources of PPE gear available online, but at outright price gouging rates. Oddly enough, a lot of preppers seem to be out there buying up whatever they think they will need. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not lecturing anyone as I myself have gotten a few more things in the past week or two that I had previously felt comfortable with my inventory levels.
Since the government has begun to tell us to prepare for self quarantine for up to 2 weeks, retailers selling everything from toilet paper to over the counter medications are having trouble keeping up with this new found demand. Of course, I suspect that the recent rail blockades aren’t helping matters any either.
Even more dangerous than delivery system issues or panic buying is research paralysis. While one spends hours online reading blogs, watching YouTube videos, or browsing comments in Facebook groups about what product is best for disinfecting surfaces, all of the options one may be considering are clearing off the shelves in many areas. While one reads on and on in the endless sea of debate over bleach vs peroxide vs Lysol, the shelves at your local stores are being emptied of all of the above. Go with your gut and get something, which of course, will be better than nothing.
Total confirmed cases of Covid-19 are now over 90 000, and I suspect will break the 100K mark in the next day or two. This virus has now appeared in 65 countries as of yesterday, making it a global concern. Canada currently has 27 reported cases. One thing I have noticed is that countries that have experienced concerning numbers of cases, experienced them as a very sharp and sudden rise…usually an explosion of cases literally overnight. Those that say “but we only have X number here” simply aren’t seeing the big picture. Canada could very well see an overnight explosion of cases any day.
Personally, and I could be wrong here, I believe that Canada will experience that overnight explosion of cases in the next 3 – 4 weeks, possibly 2-3 weeks. Don’t worry, if I turn out to be wrong on that prediction, I’ll own it!
So what should you be watching for? I would suggest keeping an eye out for cases withing your county and those surrounding it, be especially aware of local transmissions, meaning someone caught it from someone else in the community instead of having brought it back from an overseas trip.
What should you do if the virus breaks out near you? Optimally, be ready to isolate yourself for a while. Avoid going out in public, especially where people gather in numbers. This includes the office or workplace. If you live in an area with a high population density, be ready to bug out at a moments notice. Remember, highly infected areas tend to experience a very rapid increase in cases.
How long should I be able to self isolate? That is one heck of a loaded question. There have been suggestions by health officials of 2 weeks, however if we look at China, the virus has been rampant for over 2 months already and shows no signs of burning out any time soon. Keeping this in mind, I am personally prepared to bug in for no less than 4 months.
I’ve never been one to raise panic or freak out about apocalyptic predictions, but something about this feels different. As the number of cases in Canada slowly creep up, so does the chance of presympomatic cases. With an incubation period of up to 27 days, this is of great concern. I suspect that the virus is already getting a foothold here and it’s just a matter of time before we see that infection explosion. Does that mean I think Canadians are doomed and we will see mass die offs? No, not at all what I am saying. Deadly or not, this isn’t something you want to deal with.
There is still time to top off your supplies. Sure, you may have a year’s supply of freeze dried meals, but that’s going to get pretty tiresome pretty quick. Check your day to day supplies and top them off. Trust me, there’s something you are low on right now that you still have time to prepare for.
Don’t get caught up in research paralysis…