Saturday 7 March 2020

Siege mentality?



I keep quite a well stocked cupboard (this is only a part of it). As well as plenty of meat in the freezer, and my bigger bulk buys out in the 'tower', I also have a big bag of spuds, and plenty of onions. I think we could last for about a month without depriving ourselves. This has nothing to do with Chinese Flu; I simply like to have plenty of supplies, and choices. 

Yesterday was my weekend shopping day, and we were pleased to see that no idiots were wearing face masks, or that there was any panic buying. 

In fact the only thing on my list that was out of stock was (wait for it).... hand sanitiser. We always keep a small bottle in the car, and it needed replacing. I quite expect the next time I go, there will be plenty.

Otherwise, everything as usual. No panic. All is well. No funeral pyres in the streets.

61 comments:

  1. Just milk powder in short supply this morning.

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    1. All the shelves seemed well stocked here; with the one exception!.

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  2. Hand sanitizer is also hard to find here. We found a few bottles and keep them at home, in our cars and in our pockets. Toilet paper is also something people are hoarding.

    New Coronavirus cases were found near my area today. Five schools were closed because of possible exposure to the virus by an infected person. It is getting very real here and people are concerned. Two weeks ago, I would have never thought it would touch us.

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    1. That's very worrying to have cases so close. Stay safe.

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  3. A well stocked larder is nice. Makes one feel secure. Batten down the hatches. Naturally, one will run out of milk - regardless.

    U

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    1. The blue and white bottles in my picture is my milk supply. We have to buy long life milk here. Enough for about three weeks; after that....

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    2. Just wondering why you have to buying life milk.

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    3. We used to pop next door to buy milk straight from the morning's milking, but our neighbour developed some milk-related illness, so we stopped. We could buy 'supermarket' fresh milk, but frankly it's no different to the UHT milk. The milk we buy has a long shelf life, so it's practical.

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    4. I should add that years ago French milk always had a strange taste, now it's just like any other.

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    5. We keep tins of full fat milk powder in reserve. Nestle Nido is the best. Very handy.

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  4. We buy tinned milk. When I first came here fresh milk was unknown unless you had goats or sheep in the family. I got used to tinned milk and always keep half a dozen tins in the cupboard.
    I stocked up for the millennium bug and the greek economic crisis. Both times it was unnecessary. But anyway we always buy our flour in 25 kilo bags, we buy about 80 litres of oil when they harvest, our wine is always in bulk. We have the necessities. I even found 5 litres of local red.

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    1. I don't go as far as 25 Kg bags of flour, but I do have a few kgs. Lady M is a keen cake-maker. IF one is to stockpile, now is probably a good time. The info/panic is getting worse by the day, and there could soon be nothing left in the shops, and no companies producing any more. It's not looking good.

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  5. "Strange tasting milk" Reminds me of Tess in Thomas Hardy's book. The cows had eaten wild garlic and tarnished the milk.

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    1. I've read Tess several times, but don't remember that bit. I'm surprised they would eat wild Garlic.... but I love it.

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  6. I started watching the news again for only 15 minutes per evening but 6pm Sky is now a flu special. What is talked and shown does not resemble daily life here in Norfolk. We must be a backwater. My pantry has Spam and beans and sardines as usual.

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    1. The more I hear, the more I wish I hadn't. I remember having Spam Fritters as a child, sprinkled with vinegar. I loved them; not sure if I would today. We certainly have plenty of beans and sardines.

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  7. We could last two or three weeks on what is in my larder cupboard and freezer. Obviously twice as long if I happened to find myself on my own when the flu hits (although husband would likely be suffering too, just 250 miles away, and I have no idea what is in his cupboards there!).
    They're saying that many cases are mild, and we both have strong lungs and hearts, so we are not too worried.

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    1. They say it affects the over 70's, type 2 diabetics, with heart problems the worst. Looks like I'm a gonna!

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    2. Yes, Cro, purely selfishly speaking, what will I do without you, my first port of call, in the earliest of mornings?

      However, don't say there isn't an upside to Yorkshire Pudding's downside (and if this is in truly bad taste may everyone forgive me): Killing off the oldies will keep his much lamented population growth down. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, … This is so bad it's bad.

      Hug, long may you live, and me,
      U

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    3. I heard someone on the radio this morning, championing this theory. It would certainly save on any future 'Pensions' budget; and with a suddenly increased younger age population would solve many other problems at once. You are forgiven!

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  8. One of my relatives was in a supermarket in northwest England yesterday and told me it was busier than Christmas.

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    1. It wasn't particularly busy here, but I did get there for opening time (to avoid any rush). Frankly I'm not that fussed; que sera, sera.

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    2. That’s a mistake. Just see what’s happening in Iran. Three more top brass died in special corona clinic yesterday. They thought that god would look after them or what?

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    3. Worrying about it won't solve anything. All we can do is try to stay as safe as possible.

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    4. Take sensible precautions and keep ourselves informed. And if we get it don’t spread it.

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    5. I think this will be the nub of it, Gwil. The virus seems to have a fever stage, which passes, with a few days grace before the lung problems start. Those in-between days are when many people will 'just pop out for a few things'. Unlike the Chinese, we in the West are not so good at doing as we are told!

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    6. We have already devised a Black Cross system. Black Cross on the kitchen door means keep well away, and we will be doing the same ourselves.

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  9. I have food for two days, I never stockpile, we'll see what happens.

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    1. Two days only seems very little. I don't like the idea of 'stockpiling', but it's good to know one could survive for up to three weeks.

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  10. We haven't considered stockpiling - yet - akthough my husband popped into town to pick up a few essentials and he said that the supwrmarket was the busiest he had ever seen it.

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    1. I expect if we hear of Flu cases nearby, people will probably start hoarding; but it hasn't started yet.

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  11. I am toying with the idea of going shopping now, the fridge is a bit bare but the freezer and cupboards are ok. I am going to collect Heidi's tablets from the vet on Monday, so I might pick up a few bits of shopping then, that's if there is anything left.

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    1. I haven't heard of panic buying in Lincs, but maybe it would be wise to have a look.

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    2. I did go shopping yesterday, because I was bored staying in. No panic in Aldi, no shortages that I could see.

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  12. Pasta seems to be the stockpile of choice. I got the last packet of rigatoni on Friday. As long as the fresh food doesn't run out, I'll be fine for a week or so. There are virus cases in my county.

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    1. Oh dear. It doesn't help if you know there's been a nearby case. I think our nearest was at Bordeaux, but that may have changed. My son lives in Kensington, so he can expect almost anything, any day.

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    2. Cro, in the Notting Hill waitrose there is no loo roll, paracetamol or ibuprofen on the shelves. The tescos does have loo roll. My friends found some! lol I think it was the metro. (notting hill gate)

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    3. I can see people hijacking Andrex lorries. Actually, if things get really bad I can see them hijacking almost anything.

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    4. My friends have been told to work from home. And not to come in until they have been told they are allowed back in the building. They are going to their holiday home in the Cotswolds out the way and staying in.

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  13. We always stock up when we see something on special offer. Consequently we have enough pasta and red wine to last us six months or so.

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    1. Pasta, rice, couscous, spuds, and wine, are the essentials. Sounds as if you'll be OK.

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  14. I do like to see a well stocked larder.

    My brother who works in city centre Manchester says there are lots of face-masks being worn by commuters there.

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    1. In big towns; I'm not surprised. I expect it'll be there, too, where the shelves begin to empty.

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  15. We have a fair bit of meat and fish in the freezer, enough packets of pasta that could feed London and tins containing all sorts in the cupboard ! We could eat normally for quite a while and, after that, would still be able to eat, all be it some odd concoctions but, you never know, I could invent something absolutely delicious !!! I do feel that panic is taking over but I could be left with the only thing to eat will be my words 🤣 XXXX

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    1. I can see some interesting 'siege' cookbooks coming from this situation. My late mother in law invented Spaghetti with Hazelnuts, which could go in!

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  16. The first cases in South Carolina were reported yesterday. And wouldn't you know it, my husband is sick with fevers, nausea and a cough. I'm sure it's just an "ordinary" virus....I sure hope so. He only has one lung so any virus is worrying, but coronavirus especially so.

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    1. Goodness; I hope you're right. They do say that Coronavirus starts with a four day sore throat, so it doesn't sound as if he has it. But with one lung, 'ordinary' Flu can be very unpleasant. I hope he recovers soon.

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  17. The funeral pyres will be necessary next week. I hope you have got plenty of logs.

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  18. Replies
    1. I shall be interested to see how things are on Monday when I visit my supermarket again.

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  19. I generally have a well stocked larder...that's how I was brought up, thankyou grandmother!
    Overstocking aka panic buying was going on before Covid19....and it impacts on those on low incomes, too poor to keep a cupboard stocked

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    1. Yes, GZ, it's called cash flow. One may call it tragic that those with cash flowing unhindered, rather than stagnating, are able to make use of "offers", stocking up unhindered. I am convinced that being poor is actually expensive.

      The trouble with panic buying, so I understand, the whole of the English shops' stock management (don't know about other countries) is based on "just in time". Due to lack of storage and who knows what else there is only ever just "enough" until . . . see above the sharks take over and then there is shortage.

      Have you seen that clip (did actually make the front pages even of the broadsheets) over a couple of women in Sidney/Australia fighting over rolls of toilet paper? If it weren't so ridiculous as to laughing point one might despair (and wonder what people did before toilet paper was produced en masse).

      U

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    2. Stockpiling is a far bigger problem than just certain families making sure they have enough. It impacts on everyone, and if supply companies have to close down temporarily it could cause total panic and unrest. It is common sense to keep a certain amount of food in the house, but to deprive others by stockpiling is almost criminal.

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  20. I always keep a well stocked pantry (although in a tiny apt. and only for one person) that is relative and no where near prepare level.
    I buy non-food items when there is a sale so always have lots of TP, toiletries and cleaning items on hand.
    Normally at this time of year my pantry would be rather depleted after the winter but I started hearing news about this bug in Dec. and decided to keep things up to date. I've only needed to stock up on some carbs, crisp breads & crackers, more rice & pasta (I generally eat rather low carb), and treats! Wine & chocolate on hand so I'm set!
    All joking aside, I live in a large city with people from all around the world - we now have community spread by a person who returned from Las Vegas about a week ago - he felt fine so went to work and to temple - all via 3 different types of public transit. His family are ill, the neighbour who took him to hospital is ill and public health is busy tracking down people he came into contact with and the transit systems are disinfecting as much as possible.
    BC on the west coast has just announced that their community spread has now hit a nursing home so it is very real here I'm afraid.

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  21. that was prepper level - damn spell check!

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    1. You must be feeling quite concerned. It's very worrying how quickly, and easily, this thing can spread. We can take simple precautions, but the rest is just a matter of crossing fingers!

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  22. Like you I am a person who always keeps a good supply of my basic provisions in the house. Partly because it's my nature; partly because I expect to be prepared to feed and cope with any visitors who just turn up on the day; and partly in case I fall ill or am otherwise incommoded. However the main reason stems from that days when I worked. I would arrive home and decide what I wanted to eat. I could virtually guarantee that I could provide myself with almost anything from a Thai curry to a spaghetti al fredo to a venison sausage casserole. I'm still a bit like that.

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    1. My reasonably well stocked cupboard goes back to when we had a cottage in Wales. We used to go there for Christmas, and were told to always keep two weeks worth of supplies in the house in case we were snowed-in. There was no road to the house, and it was on the top of a hill; you can imagine the problems that caused.

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