Lots of unexpected things have occurred during the last couple of years. There are wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity and let’s not forget global warming. The pandemic woke a lot of us up to what it might be like if we ran out of this or that, no job, cyber-attacks, war and health care systems going all wonky.
Lesson #1 Now a lot of the things I just mentioned you can’t do anything about, like stopping a hurricane. But what you do during and after is very important. You can also get yourself prepared. Or you can pretend someone like Uncle Sam (FEMA) will swoop in with food, water, and medical supplies.
Lesson #2 There will come a time when your Uncle Sam might not make it to where you live. We have over 350 million people in our country. If you live in an urban area, then lines will be long for what you want or
need. If you live in a rural area, chances are you already grow food, and have water. But services like health care might be in question.
Lesson #3 Will you be turned away from a clinic or hospital because there are no more beds? Maybe the staff is all sick and no one can help. The pandemic also taught us a lot about the health care system and what happens to overworked staff and lack of supplies.
Let’s talk medical preparedness. What do you have on hand? Star Wars bandages for the kids? Pain reliever for headaches? Sunscreen? Antacid? How about that vapor rub stuff? If the streets are flooded, a snowstorm hits, a meteor drops on your grocery store (hey! It could happen. Just ask NASA.) what are you going to do? Here is a quick list of some things to always have on hand. It wouldn’t hurt to 
have a backpack with a first aid kit for your car too.
Make a Basic First Aid Kit
- Sterile gloves
- Sterile dressings
- Antibiotic towelettes & crème
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Eye drops
- Thermometer
- Prescription medication supplies for at least 90 days
- Prescribed medical supplies if you need glucose/blood pressure monitoring equipment
- First Aid book
- Non-prescription or over the counter drugs such as pain reliever, anti-diarrhea meds, or laxatives
If you have family members, especially children, who require allergy meds or specific foods for a healthy
body then those things should also be a part of your medical plan. In a national or community emergency you need to keep hydrated and fed. Have protein drinks on hand, healthy snacks that you can grab if the grocery store is smashed by a tornado or as we’re seeing now, the trucks just didn’t come to restock the shelves or maybe there aren’t enough workers to do the job. Have extra! These items are as cheap as they’re going to get. If you can get just one extra, then do that. Here are a few more things to keep in your pantry or closet.
- Vitamins
- Ointment for sore muscles
- Baby wipes
- Vapor rub
- Cough drops
- Scissors
- Cotton balls
- Shampoo
- Cough medicine
- Burn ointment
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Feminine supplies
- Trash bags
- Braces for knees, arms, etc.
- Cotton swabs
- Mouth wash
- Toothpaste/brush/Floss
You might be saying at this point, “Oh I have most of all those items.” But for how long? A week? A month? How many people will be living with you 24/7 using those items. Remember the toilet paper scare? Things disappear in a hurry, especially if a stomach bug goes around. Will you have gas to go get more? Will the shelves be stocked with what you want or need? Now is the time to take inventory and talk with your family. Decide on priorities and shop sales (if there are any), and stock up.
Even if that asteroid barreling toward Earth doesn’t hit us or the San Andreas fault behaves a little longer or some foreign power waits on a cyber-attack, the scientists, lawmakers, and military know it’s only a matter of time. The more prepared you are, the less fear you’ll have at trying to survive and co-exist with those in your house.
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