Feeling like your head is on a swivel these days? You’re not alone! Many preppers just don’t know what to make of teh world right now. Flooding on both the east and west coasts, yet another Covid variant of concern, missile tests on asteroids, it seems like everything is going to pot. What’s a prepper supposed to do?
The first thing to do is stop and take a deep breath. DON”T PANIC!!!
I know it’s hard to keep things in perspective when the internet preppers are using terms like “world war” and “economic collapse”, but keep your head on straight. Sure, inflation is high right now, but we are far from the Canadian or US dollars from going into hyperinflation. Bread may cost a bit more next week, but you will not be needing a wheelbarrow full of cash to buy a loaf.
But what about the new Covid variant? Well, it does seem to be more virulent than the regular strain, if there is such a thing anymore, but there is no evidence to suggest that it is any more deadly. Sure, there is no doubt that this one spreads quickly. At the time of writing this there were 5 known cases in Canada, we shall see what the numbers are in the following days. I suspect that community transmission will surface shortly, but that doesn’t mean that thousands of people will be dying in the streets. In fact, if patients are able to be treated at home and stay out of the hospitals, it is likely that further lockdowns and restrictions can be avoided.
Don’t get me wrong, this new variant is not to be ignored. It is more virulent and there seems to be some evidence that the vaccine is less effective on it. This should be seen more of a “what it can become” than a “we’re all gonna die” situation. Make no mistake, this variant could very well turn out to be a big nothing burger, but what about the next one, or the one after that? RNA based viruses like these mutate slightly every time the reproduce. Most often, these mutations do nothing, but every once in a while they have concerning changes to the virus. The longer this goes on, the more likely something really dangerous is going to pop up.
Continue to prepare folks. Look to the past to get an idea of what COULD come. Shortages on food and toilet paper, stay at home orders, curfews, etc are all still very real possibilities. Not right now, and not likely because of Omicron, but from what may be coming down the line in a few months. We just never know, and that’s why we prepare.
Let’s face it, it is much easier to deal with food shortages or purchasing limits (a fancy term for rationing) when you already have what you need on hand. So, keep stocking up on food items that you normally eat. This is not yet the time to break out the 25 year shelf life grossness of emergency food pouches or to be increasing your stockpiles of it. I’m not saying not to buy any of that stuff if you already do, it’s great to have it on hand. What I’m saying is there is no need to go out and clear the inventory from your favorite prepper store. You may however want to boost the regular grocery budget a bit.
Remember, you can save refrigerator and freezer space by canning or dehydrating produce as well as canning meat. If you are lucky enough to have a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, by all means use it. Don’t forget about the upcoming cold and flu season and be sure to get whatever OTC medications you normally use. A little extra toilet paper couldn’t hurt either.
Whatever you do, remember that cooler heads always prevail. This is the kind of stuff we prepare for, so keep your head on straight, take doomsday predictions with the grain of salt they deserve, and DON”T PANIC!!!