To clarify the ebola point, we’re a specialty clinic (think cardiology or orthopedic) and when Ebola was a concern (before I started) they made a special “kit” for if a patient with symptoms presented in the clinic for treatment. It was mostly gloves/gowns type things (and we have disposed of gloves if they had an expiration date). The point that I was attempting to make was the over-simplification that in management’s mind, one pandemic was as good as another (and the 80/20 rule: try to cover 80% of outcomes by doing 20% of the work) Of course we also went through the usual gauntlet of trying to procure PPE like every other clinic.

I couldn’t tell you. I know the 2016 filters still worked great for kitty litter that clouds up as you’re scooping. Not sure I was pulling something else onto my lungs from before I inherited the mask. It’s my understanding that they last  “six months” from opening the package. The CDC website basically says you aren’t protected past expiration, but I have to assume that particles are at least blocked somewhat. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-144/default.html

I see a lot of very detailed and in-depth answers, so I won’t re-cover any of that material. I just wanted to share a two-part anecdote.1) When my Healthcare System (employer) decided that Covid-19 would be a concern, we dug out the old Ebola kits that had gotten tucked away in the interim. 2) I was lucky enough to inherit a full-face respirator while all PPE was reserved for healthcare, but only recently were those restrictions lifted to be able to buy replacement filters from a reliable source (the old ones had an expiry date of 2016). I see someone else already posted a list of things that are nice to have, but I will reiterate that if you wait until you know what the next threat is, the appropriate supplies to protect yourself may no longer be accessible.

Recently watched “#Alive” with the spouse. It’s a korean zombie movie, but with an emphasis on Shelter-in-place, or “bugging in.” relatively trapped in his parents apartment, the protagonist struggles with topics such as rationing his food, collecting rainwater, searching nearby apartments for supplies, and trying to keep hope when rescue seems further and further away.

if we were still where we were when the latest pandemic started, I would have guessed that companies would prefer (possible even incentivized) to skip over the less profitable items (like address numbers) in order to prioritize the things selling off the shelves. Suppose a company like 3M makes A) respirator filters and B) oil absorbent pads. In the scenario where there is a huge demand for product A, and less demand for product B, it would make sense for them to temporarily stop producing B to put more resources into manufacturing A. and now we have a situation we are starting to look for product B again and there’s no real reason we should have a shortage, but supply just never got restocked.  Or it could be something completely different, I have no experience handling supply chain.

I had heard that some (many?) stores have already announced that they’re cancelling Black Friday, but yes, there will still be people looking for last minute gifts. 

I have purchased mostly wrist watches from Wish. Quality varies but it’s usually what I “expected” for the price. Wish has a really shady reputation though. I have one product on there now that every two weeks it postpones the expected delivery date by another two weeks, with no option to cancel order or get a refund. My spouse recently got a package from wish for a product we never ordered. We think that’s part of a scam where they create an account, send something for free, then use your account to give themselves good reviews

I know that I was not aware, but I don’t spend a lot of time on the European market. Thank you for sharing!

I don’t know the legal answer, but I did read an AMA (Ask-Me-Anything) by someone identifying as a former burglar, and they said anytime they encountered a dog they would give the animal a piece of rawhide or jerky and the dog no longer considered them a threat. I don’t know if that works on “professionally trained” animals.

Just adding 2¢ worth of thoughts. I remember hearing after Katrina that Nat’l G. was confiscating firearms using the excuse of emergency powers. Just make sure you have something that can (legally) be concealed just in case your situation brings you into contact with them.

I also use Zenni optical. you *can* order a set of glasses with just the frames and lenses (no coating) and you’re good to go for under $10. I’ve tried a few of their different options though, and have strong preferences. Anti-glare coating is a must for me, I tried glasses without and if I’m facing the sun while driving I have to take off my glasses to be able to see. Blue-Blocking lenses aren’t as useful for me. For my job I stare at a computer screen for 8hrs a day and then go home and watch youtube or a movie, I consider myself pretty well adjusted. I know people that swear by blue-blockers, but they don’t do anything for me other than tint the whole world yellow. I haven’t tried their sunglasses or transition-style lenses, so I don’t have a review on those. Hope some of this information helps.I usually spend around $60 on Zenni but you can get cheaper from them if you are willing to live without extra options. I think I have bought about 4 different glasses from them and they never got the prescription wrong. One last thing you have to watch out for is to MEASURE. I have never really had a lot of success getting glasses that fit me until I started experimenting with Zenni. The brick-and-mortar”optical stores” have always seemed more interested in making a sale than finding a good fit.

I’ve heard one specific reason for certain people to buy local honey is that local bees use local pollen, and people with pollen (and maybe other?) allergies can use it to help build up resistance. I’ve heard it but I don’t know if that’s true or not.

I wonder, if you are still able to check, are the rolls narrower? I see the loss of 3/4in depth on the side, but has it changed across the front, too? That would be another area they could pretty stealthily cut back and still not be as noticeable.

I asked my wife (she’s not a prepper) what we would have time to grab if there was a fire, and her answer was “the cat.” I thiiiink I have “permission” now to pack a BOB without her questioning my sanity.

My wife had gotten a (portable?) washing maching for ~$75 that pretty much functions like the normal kind but is substantially smaller. Still needs electricity and running water so its probably not the best prep item, but it worked for her for while she was in a cheap apartment and otherwise needed to travel to do laundry.

It’s not a research driven article, but the Blog post from yesterday includes a tweet w/ a graphic that shows the kind of stuff you would need if you want to safely engage in protests. It includes some of the obvious stuff like full-face respirator and several back up masks + bandanas. It also shows an umbrella incase anything is sprayed at you. https://theprepared.com/blog/minneapolis-unrest-preparedness/

I think I need to turn off my phone GPS after reading this post…

I live in the biggest city in my state, but not the most urban part. My biggest fear is a fire, in an apartment complex any other bozo can burn down the building and all I could save is a BOB.