Not If But When

        Get Prepared Now for What is to Come


   Today I heard the words that I knew would be coming "not if but when" and to form a plan and prepare now for a possible severe disruption to your daily lives.   Our own CDC put this warning out reguarding the Covid-19 virus that is quickly making it's way around the globe.  I have friends and family who either are currently or who have been in the "hot zones" and their lives have been turned upside down.   I have talked to local first responders and I can tell you that they are not prepared for any of this.  Law enforcement does not have the needed supplies on hand or the training on how to deal with this kind of emergency situation and it seems neither do the local EMTs.  I have family members in these areas so yes, I do have first hand information.

   Jeff and I have been stocking up on things that we need here at home so that we can stay home if needed if there is a quarentine type situation either here or in the towns where we shop.  The only items that we could not find were the masks, which according to one of the salepeople we talked to, were all being bought out by the Chinese students to send home to their families.  I can't really blame them for wanting to protect their families...I would have been doing the same thing in their position.

   I talked to our son Chris, who is both an EMT and a police officer, and told him if he finds out that he has been exposed to this virus and has not headed home yet, that he is to call our Heather and have her and the boys go somewhere else to stay and offered up our home for them to come to.  I need to let Jaysn and Rachel know the same thing.  I know that Chris is going to be required to be out there working in law enforcement no matter what.  

   Taking into account that we may have more family here at some point to stay, we put in extra supplies of things like baking supplies, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, aseptic packs of milk and some other items.  We also have some treat items because we all need a treat sometimes. 😉  All of the things that have stocked up on are things that we would use on a normal basis anyway, so they will not go to waste if we don't have to use them quickly.  It is always good to have extras on hand for any situation where you may find yourself homebound or low on funds.  I made sure that I have vitamins and my medications filled and am good for about 2 months on one medication and 6 months on another just in case the pharmacies are not able to get the meds in that I use on a daily basis, or I am unable to go and get them.

   My prayer is that we will not have to deal with this and that no one does get sick.  However, it is not looking good at the moment and for me at least, being prepared helps to keep me calm.  My husband, who is usually the calmer of the two of us, is even a bit alarmed at this and is also making sure that we have another ton of wood pellets coming.  He even made some suggestions on other things we might need.  He and I both want to make sure that we are doing all we can, not only to take care of ourselves, but also our family.  Once a parent, always a parent I suppose.   Be blessed and please prepare yourselves for the possibility of at least 14 days of not being able to go out, shop for items, etc..  This could go bad very quickly and the worst thing is to not be prepared and find yourself in a panic.