On a rainy day: who are the preppers and what can they teach during a pandemic

“I’m seriously wondering what’s going on in the minds of people who are furiously buying all the food and household goods they see? What - famine will come? Or will all factories, farms and factories close?” - this was the question asked by the author of the channel “Notes from an emigrant, life in the USA” on Yandex.Zen at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when mass purchases of various goods began everywhere. But all this can be easily explained in one term, who are these people, and why do they all like to buy in advance?

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In the USA, there is generally such a special category of people - preppers (from the word “to prepare”). In a nutshell, these are people who believe in the imminent end of the world and, accordingly, are preparing for it. They build shelters and defensive systems, stock up on weapons and ammunition, learn the basics of hunting and combat, try to live with a minimum of resources and, of course, stock up on water and food.

At the same time, everyone is preparing for their own end of the world: someone for economic collapse, someone for an epidemic, someone for war, someone for a nuclear explosion, and someone for a zombie apocalypse. In general, here who has enough imagination and conspiracy theory for that.

Moreover, this topic is quite popular in the States. They have their own shows and programs, where they show what they did and how, and experts assess the degree and quality of their training. And there are even glossy magazines with useful information.

Those are the ones who are having a holiday right now. Not in the sense of a holiday, but this moment: “Yeah, I told you so!” Everyone was twisting their finger to their temples, and now they’re panicking.

What preppers can teach us during a pandemic

While the number of people infected with coronavirus continues to grow, people are actively stocking up on food, medicine and other materials. Although fears of the virus spreads faster than the disease itself, products like cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer are disappearing from store shelves. Some people, sensing economic opportunities, even sell masks and other protective equipment on the streets or online, often at inflated prices.

But there is one group of people who don't need to rush to Target or Walmart for supplies: so-called preppers, or people who go to some sort of extreme measures to be always prepared for emergencies. Preppers always have what they need to withstand the shock.

Actually notes Time, many of us could learn a thing or two from preppers—a 2017 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly half of Americans don't even have a basic emergency kit in their home.

Of course, some preppers go far beyond a simple emergency kit. Jason Charles, the firefighter who runs the YouTube channel The Angry Prepper, has a closet in his apartment for storing emergency rations and other equipment. Each member of his family even has a special bag for possible immediate evacuation.

“My supplies can provide for my family for a year and a half,” he says.

On the subject: 'Everybody takes, and I take': why do people buy toilet paper en masse

James Hobel, founder of the Mountain Survival School, says situations like the coronavirus make it clear that it's smart for people to have some essential supplies on hand. It’s also vital to have a plan in case something goes wrong. He is particularly concerned that city residents tend to become overly reliant on services that may not be available in an emergency. These people are also usually unsure of what to do if they have to stay at home for a long time, such as during a mass quarantine.

What should ordinary people store in case of emergency, such as an outbreak of coronavirus?

The CDC recommends having at least one gallon (3,8 liters) of water per person per day and a three-day supply of food that requires little or no cooking or refrigeration. The expert also recommends avoiding salty or spicy foods, as these may increase your need to drink water. You'll need to keep this kit up to date—the CDC recommends replacing supplies every six months.

What preppers advise to buy in case of a crisis

With many states asking people to stay home as much as possible, it's helpful to have some essentials on hand—beyond toilet paper and hand sanitizer. About my personal experience as a prepper USA Today told by Josh Centers. Here's what he recommends stocking up on to deal with the crisis.

1. Batteries

A good prepper always has batteries at hand. Most often they are intended for flashlights, radio and other things. But you certainly won’t want to be without them if you are locked at home. You may not use batteries to turn on the radio to contact rescuers, but what about your kids' toys and remote controls (especially during the evenings with Netflix)? Think about all the things in your home that require replaceable batteries, and imagine life without them.

2. Multitools

I don’t know how I would live without a multitool - it’s like another hand. Here are a few things I often use it for:

• opening packages with a knife;
• pulling a splinter with a knife;
• wire cutting;
• pruning small branches.

Infrequent use includes anything up to and including opening cans.

3. Knife sharpeners

A sharp knife is safer than a dull one. It's illogical, but it's a fact. It’s also unbearable to use a dull knife. Buy a special tool for sharpening knives - it will cost you less than $25. Follow the included instructions and your knives will be sharp in no time, even if you had no idea how to sharpen them. The tools I use to sharpen include kitchen knives, chisels, scissors and a razor.

4. Nitrile gloves

These are difficult to buy now, so I'm very glad I always kept a large bag of nitrile gloves close at hand. Nitrile is more durable than latex and does not pose an allergy risk. Gloves are convenient for a wide variety of things: cleaning, changing dirty diapers, working with dirty cars and dead animals. But now I like to wear them whenever I need to go to the store. When you take them off, be careful not to get your hands dirty.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

5. Food stock

Now, after respiratory masks, food rations became one of the first items to sell. Emergency food packages can feed one person or family for several days or even months and remain unspoiled in the pantry for literally decades. They are often sold in a bucket with a lid. Some vendors sell large jars of various foods that can be stored safely for years.

For those with too many dry foods, such as beans or rice, it is advisable to buy 5-gallon mylar bags that can be filled with food and then sealed with a hair iron or for clothes. The bag should then be placed in a 5 gallon storage bucket.

6. Adhesive tape

Is there anything duct tape can't fix? I recently used a bundle to fix a tear in the tarp that serves as a roof for my tractor. In a pinch, it can be used to patch holes in clothing, as emergency gear, to start a fire, and can even be used to make a wallet. Just don't use duct tape on wet surfaces - it won't stick.

7. Positive psychological attitude

The best thing you can gain during this time: a positive mental attitude. This has been proven to significantly increase your chances of surviving a bad situation. We all have moments of weakness, but negative perspectives defeat you before you even take action. We're living in scary times, but your best bet is to stay positive, focus on the positive, and remember what you're grateful for.

8. Home garden

Not everyone owns the land, but even having a backyard can offer opportunities that are not available to residents of apartments, such as creating a garden or raising chickens. Many preppers even have remote areas in the countryside, ideal for social isolation.

If you have a time machine, go back in time and buy 50 acres (2K ares), but for now it is best to use what you have. The food supply chain is at the limit of its capacity, and even if empty shelves are more a symptom of panic buying than actual shortages, anything can help relieve supply strains. Now is the right time.

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