Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 16, 2020

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Today is the anniversary of the Battle at Pound Gap, Kentucky. (1862)

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There are now less that two weeks left in for Round 87 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  Please get your entries in soon!  Note that they must be at lest 1,500 words long. Articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

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Normally, on Mondays, I post product reviews by our stalwart Field Gear Editor. But given the urgency of the current pandemic, I’m postponing the review article that I had planned to present. Thanks for your patience.

But first and foremost, I need to mention that the “panic buying ” is for much more than toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The TP Locusts(TM) have actually started thinking and therefore have moved on to buying staple foods, guns, and ammunition, in quantity.

Oh, and please read this news.  Thanks, – JWR

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 87 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  6. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $100 purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Round 87 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.


11 Comments

  1. I found this information link from an Asian physician regarding taking Vit. C. Also note in the comments below the video that the correct dosage is 5-10 grams/ per day.

    https://youtu.be/QvXpgY8scqw

    I also found it interesting that he mentions following a Ketogenic diet in passing. I have watched another video mentioning a group of ethic people that are in some upper reaches of China, that are reported to be virus free although their guards are all dying. I am not sure where I saw this, but probably on a Cliff High video. Their diets are roughly goat meat, milk and Kefir. Not sure what this means other than again our diets play a huge role in our well being. I do want to say that I am a Ketogenic diet person, although I have leaned more toward that direction in the last six months and my overall well being has greatly improved.
    We have all seen videos recommending Vit. D and B, but I have also seen some recommendations regarding taking Chaga Mushrooms. I have to believe that there is benefit to this as I have been taking this for about nine months for a skin condition. I have mentioned before that I had a house guest that took antibiotics that wiped out their bowel. In Urgent Care, someone with flu coughed on them and they came down with flu within 24 hours. I always wondered why with such a virulent form of flu why my symptons were in extreme slow motion. Now I believe the Chaga Mushroom offered me some increased immunity. Do not take over a gram/day if you choose to add this to your immunity arsenal, and also make sure your source is USA grown because of soil contamination coming from other countries. Also, saw a study coming from France to use Tyenol in fever reduction instead of the noninflammatory ones such as Advil. Steroidal drugs are not recommended with viral infections.

    In my city people are stripping the grocery shelves. If you must go to the store, go at opening time as there are way fewer people. Also, over the weekend, I noticed that Vitamin C was getting in shorter supply based on two different stores. I had ordered Liposomal Vitamin C online yesterday to be picked up when the store opened, and they only had two bottles in stock.The other types of Vitamin C were low also. I have a feeling all these Vitamins are going into short supply as more people become aware this is a serious virus. For those of you taking care of elderly relatives, I totally feel for you as I am doing the same. My situation is such that there is no way that I can self isolate myself totally, and no way that I can keep that person safe and not becoming infected. As they are on Hospice Care, I know that there is no hospital situation here. My worst nightmare is trying to care for them with viral pneumonia for several days by myself. I only hope that their age will quicken their passing. The positive note here is that they already have an oxygen condenser and are using it. Another oddity that has happened over the weekend, is that I know of two cases of age related deaths and both of them have either cancelled the funerals or have private ceremonies due to the Covid -19 virus. It was not something that I had even considered, but with crowd limitations you can’t have funerals.

    I am sorry for such a long post, but I also wanted to write regarding PPE removal. If at some point you are using outside suits over clothing, remember that as you take them off, your clothes will become contaminated. There is a reason that in the OR’s all gowns are removed from the back. The gloves will be the last thing you remove. If you are right hand dominant, grasp the left glove at the base of the palm and pull that glove over most of that left hand but not entirely off. You will then use the left hand with the inside of glove exposed, to take off the right glove and remove the remainder of the left glove. I hope I have not confused you, but I am sure if you google OR surgical tech glove removal you will find a video showing you how its done. Basically, you are trying to remove your gloves without contaminating yourself with germs. All that PPE will not help much if you remove it incorrectly. Most importantly wash or use hand sanitizer as soon as you remove your gloves. If you are using suits, I would strip my clothing as head for the shower.

    Best to all of you.

    1. Another tip for easily removing gloves… when you put them on, fold down about 1 inch of the glove at the top (near your wrist). The “inside” part of the folded glove will be on the “outside”. Then when you need to take them off, just slip your finger underneath that fold and pull.

  2. The Heart of Darkness: Stephen Paddock and the Las Vegas Massacre
    by Will Dabbs
    on March 15, 2020
    https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/the-heart-of-darkness-stephen-paddock-and-the-las-vegas-massacre/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is based on the official storyline given by the government and the media. It is accurate as to that version of events. However, this may or may not be what actually transpired. Regardless of what gun enthusiasts and professionals believe happened, didn’t happen, or who was responsible, the outcome was the same; bump stocks were banned, Americans lost freedom, gained no safety, and the inanimate object blamed was removed from the purview of law-abiding Americans.

  3. Re: Read this article on Zero Hedge.

    Very scary! My husband just checked the Walmart app for order grocery pick up. The closest 7 Walmarts do not have availability for pick up for the next 7 days. You can’t order more than 7 days ahead. We always buy groceries this way and have always been able to pick up by the next day. Of course we are stocked up but this is an indication of the pressure put on the supply chain. Glad everyone here has been preparing. I am thankful I found this site more than 8 yrs ago. We are prepared for all of our children, their spouses and grandchildren and other close family and friends. Prayers for all of you.

  5. Trip out this morning: Grocery stores in the suburbs of our mid sized city are almost fully stocked. Multiple categories including TP had inventory, maybe just not the brand you want. Items like rice, soup, TP, OJ, PB, pancake mixes, syrups and bread had lower inventory but we’re available. Fresh fruit and veggies, meat and fish all well stocked.

    Not sure what is happening on both of the coasts but middle America is holding it together and not panicking too badly.

  6. Hey Jim, when I saw the (TM) on TP Locusts I had coffee coming out my nose this morning, that was a goodie. 🙂

    Romney wants to hand out $1,000 to every U.S. citizen, maybe they should make it 100 rolls of TP instead? That would be a little easier on the budget. We call it “mountain money” in this neck of the woods, maybe folks everywhere will start referring to it as that.

  7. White House Guidelines for the Next 15 Days:

    The guidelines advised that older people and those with underlying health conditions “stay home and away from other people.”

    Officials recommended that large swaths of the population isolate themselves and everyone avoid social gatherings or groups of more than 10 people.

    They also said Americans should work from home if possible; avoid eating or drinking in bars and restaurants; and “avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.”

  8. Fox business talking with General Robert Scales, wonder if this the same person that William Forstchen used as a character in the book One Second After.

    Hummm

  9. 3/16/2020 Re Banks. Today my grandson who works in a bank in Plymouth experienced a bank run. Several people were very aggressive. My grandson was the only one permitted to be a teller today (6’6″). Tomorrow will be drive thru only. Banks here west of I-69 in lower Michigan had bank runs. Banks were resupplied with emergency cash. Situation is deteriorating rapidly. All restaurants, bars, etc. closed today. Casinos are shut down. Shutting off interstates is being considered to keep people home. (another grandson working in DC).

  10. I’m writing this on Tuesday, March 17th, informing others of the situation in Northeastern Wisconsin. As an employee for a distribution supplier, I regularly visit from 6-12 stores per 8 hour shift. The stores are big box and some small establishments. Since Thursday, March 12th these establishments have been overwhelmed with an influx of customers. Most are respectful and polite, while others have a panic demeanor. Many people are buying as much as they can, while others are just purchasing what is allotted from the establishments. Limits on toilet paper, bottled water, bulk rice and beans, etc. Many back room storage racks are very bare as are the store shelves. There has been a larger amount of travelers/shoppers from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan seeking items that are being depleted from the stores in their region. Many of the 24 hour stores have now closed 10pm to 7am so they can restock what products come in.

    What has been surprising to me has been the various behaviors of people: many parents shopping with the whole family, many elderly out shopping, a few wearing masks in public, others wearing scarfs around mouth and nose, others wearing safety glasses. It’s seem our society is very divided. Many of the establishments are running out of wipes for their carts. All schools and public events are closed. Restaurants and taverns are still open though. Relatives in Upper Michigan have relayed that restaurants and taverns are closed except for pick up and/or delivery.

    As an hourly employee I believe I will be working until things get shut down. I try to practice good PPE; carry and use bleach wipes, wash hands often, don’t touch face, keep distance from others as best as possible (very difficult because so many people shopping). Making it a daily routine of washing my outer clothes, taking a shower as soon as I arrive at home. Also started taking daily temperature readings.

    Thanks for the information and awesome website. May God bless all of us.

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