The Coronavirus and Planning Ahead

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With the crazy going on around us and in our world, it’s a good idea to prep or plan ahead.

Planning doesn’t mean you’re some kind of lunatic it only means you want to be prepared.

Planning could mean many things and include different areas of your home or life. So, today we’ll discuss how to take each part of your home and your life and give a little planning to prepare you for small and large events or catastrophes that happened near you.

Let’s start in the home.

If you want to sanitize and or clean your table, countertops, the outside of your dishwasher, or stove, you can use 1 to a few ingredients. You can use my oregano oil and Castile all-purpose spray, straight vinegar, or diluted bleach. You can also use baking soda mixed with water to clean certain things, such as your countertops.

As you can see, it only takes a few ingredients depending on which type you use to keep bacteria and viruses out of your home.

Here is more good news. All of the items I’ve mentioned the vinegar, the oregano Castile spray, and the bleach are used in more than just one area of your home.

For instance, the all-purpose spray does not hurt wood, tile, ceramic, or pretty much any other surface so that you can use it in your bathroom entryways on your floors, door handles, railings, etc.

Now since we are talking about planning ahead and these natural cleaners can clean the majority of your home, it’s a good idea to stock up. Vinegar, oils, and bleach keep for long periods if appropriately stored as in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Stocking or storing up on everyday items is smart and efficient. Why? Because it helps you prepare, so you don’t have to run to the store like the crazy mobs when a crisis hits to buy toilet paper.

Whether you are single or have a family, stocking, storing, planning, whatever you want to call it, is an excellent idea. If you have more than just yourself to worry about, I would consider it your responsibility.

Now, the amount you stock up on is your choice. For instance, if you have a family of four, I would suggest buying a couple of cases of bleach which can last for two years and longer. As bleach is concentrated, this will go a long way. Same with the vinegar which you can use for multiple things. I use it for cleaning countertops, floors, bathrooms, and also to clean out the dishwasher or coffee maker when it becomes clogged. Vinegar a great face cleanser/toner.

Now before I go any further, let’s clarify something. Some call what I’m talking about prepping, but I merely call it proper planning. Look to our history, The Great Depression, crisis times like that. We are only doing what our families have done for generations before us.

As I live on a farm with my family, I never wait until we’re almost out of something before going and getting some more. There is always a backup for every product food item and or things like toothpaste, basics, and medicinal items.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to use backup products for one reason or another. It might be I was sick and couldn’t make it to the store, or I didn’t keep track of how much we had left.

Another great reason to have a backup is when family or friends come to stay. On several occasions, I’ve misjudged how much we need something. It’s hard to plan everything, and you never know when or how much you’re going to use an item—living in the country you can’t afford to run out.

Now that we got you and your family covered let’s talk about pet care.

When we’re talking about planning, we need to think of more than ourselves. Who’s going to take care of your animals? Whether you have a house dog, cat, or animals outside on the farm, they all need consideration.

Again, the amount you want to have as a backup is your choice. Some can afford more than others, and some merely want more than others.

Regardless of your station in life, people usually have enough money to include backup items or add a little more preparation to their lives. It all comes down to planning and paying attention to what your family’s and animals’ basic needs are.

What about medicine?

Your medicine should absolutely be on your list of items to keep extra of or have a backup plan to replace what you may or may not be able to get in a crisis. I don’t care if we’re talking herbs, poultices, oils, aspirin, or medical supplies. Whatever you use regularly, you need to consider having stored.

I have small children, so having fever reducers, like Tylenol, on hand, or whatever form of medicine you use can be life-altering.

Sharing the FACTS

I couldn’t believe it today when I went to Sam’s Club, and every person was coming out with toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, and or some type of bleach to include bleach wipes.
In some states across America, they are already rationing these things. People scare easily, so no matter if it’s a small scare or a massive crisis, one thing is for sure, people will panic.

What do the numbers say?

This coronavirus has caused people to think there is an epidemic that’s killing millions, but the FACT is more people are dying from the common flu then there are from the coronavirus.

In total, the CDC estimates that up to 42.9 million people got sick during the 2018-2019 flu season, 647,000 people were hospitalized and 61,200 died. That’s fairly on par with a typical season, and well below the CDC’s 2017-2018 estimates of 48.8 million illnesses, 959,000 hospitalizations and 79,400 deaths.

Each year an average of 147 people die from the flu/pneumonia in North Dakota in contrast to the 38 people in total who have died thus far in the United States from the coronavirus. So if you are one of the people panicking, STOP.

To further my point, here are the statistics for Influenza/Pneumonia deaths listed in the United States in 2018, written and published by the CDC.

Corona merely means upper respiratory, and it appears that this coronavirus is affecting the elderly or people with compromised immune systems, which is no different than what the common flu does each year.

I don’t believe this coronavirus is as bad as they are claiming because numbers don’t lie. However, if it’s taught us one thing it’s that planning ahead and being prepared has its advantages. 

You’re not going to change their minds or stop it from happening; all you can do is make a plan. Don’t be a part of the panic and or suffer because there is no more toilet paper left to buy in the stores.

In short, stocking up on essentials is a smart choice not only for small scares but also in times of real need.

Stay safe, you guys, and as always have a healthy week.

Heather Earles…

Is an author of fiction, writes a weekly collum for her local newspaper title Healthy Living, has a podcast called Herb N’ Wisdom™, is a mother of four, wife of one and resides on a farm in North Dakota where she practices Natural Living.