Did you miss me? I have had the worst time trying to post while I was away from home. I finally gave up so here is the post from last Friday and I will revise and post today’s tomorrow. Sorry for the delay here and on the yahoo group but now I’m back in the groove!

It’s so easy to run and turn on the tap and expect clean water to flow. Unfortunately that is not always the case. There are dozens of reason we could find ourselves thirsty and desperate. This is just one experience we can learn from:

On Friday night, instead of doing the dinner dishes right away, something on the television caught my eye and I sat down to watch it with my husband. Before long, it was time to go to bed, and when I walked into the kitchen to put my glass in the dishwasher, realized that a sink full of dirty dishes was still waiting for me. What made that even worse was that when I turned the faucet on to start washing them, nothing came out!

We live on property with a well, so we knew that we weren’t “out of water.” With flashlight in hand, my husband went to check on it, and discovered that the pump wasn’t working. There wasn’t anything he could do, so we decided to go sleep in our RV. We’d just returned from a trip and the fresh water tank was full, so we knew that at least we could use the bathroom and shower until we got the pump fixed.

Next morning, we called the man who works on our well. He came out with everything he needed to repair it, but the damage was beyond repair. We needed a new pump and he would have to pick one up and come back the next day to install it.

That meant going another 24 hours without water. Water is one of those things you just take for granted until you have to do without. You just turn the faucet and water comes out, right?

Fortunately, we had bottled water stored for drinking, and some quick hand washing, but not enough for bathing. If it hadn’t been for the RV, we would have had to go to our daughter’s house for at least our daily showers.

We did, however, discover a couple of other resources for water:

1. Having a two story home means that you have lots of water pipes and they’re full of water. You know this because generally, when you turn the faucet on, water immediately comes out. I took three empty food storage barrels to the ground level and turned on the outside faucet. I was able to capture enough water to fill all three of the buckets. We put one in the kitchen and dipped water out of it with a measuring cup to wash hands. We put another in the bathroom to fill the tank if necessary.

2. We have a water softener system with a tank under the kitchen sink that filters the water. This water comes out of a smaller spigot – similar to those that produce hot water on demand. This tank probably holds about 5 gallons of water, so I was able to use it for cooking. That came in handy for meal preparation and I didn’t have to use the bottled water.

3. The hot water tank is another source of extra water. We didn’t have to get into it, but at least it was there.

We survived thirty-six hours without water without too much inconvenience, but it’s making me think about what I could do to make it even easier if it ever happens again.

What we do now:

• The 55 gallon barrels in our shed that are meant to hold water are now full. Because we have the well, we’ve never been too concerned about filling them up. I wouldn’t want to drink the water out of them, but we could have used it for bathing if we had more than a simple pump to remove the water. That’s definitely something I’m going to be checking on this week.

Sometimes it’s good to have a minor emergency just so you can figure out a way to become more prepared. It’s even better if someone else has the emergency and it helps make you more aware. Take some time to assess the water situation in your home and come up with a plan you can implement now in case you ever find yourself without water. Even if you have city water, you might have your line temporarily shut off in the event that a main line is cut or has a leak. It’s always better to come up with a plan before you need it because you can think more clearly, and generally have more options when you’re not in emergency mode.

****Win a Consultation!***

To help motivate you to share I am offering the chance for you to win a personal one hour consultation. This will be a phone call where you can ask any questions you may have. You may even ask a group of friends to join you on a conference call or just using your speaker phone. To win one of five  consultations just refer five friends to blog.totallyready.com and our yahoo group. Have them mention your email address when they log into the yahoo group and leave a comment on any blog post. Ten friends and you get two chances to win. Fifteen friends and I will call you, guaranteed! It’s that simple. Watch for other special offers as we progress. I know I don’t want to look back when things get worse and think I could have done more to help you.

Confused about the solar storms NASA is anticipating? Take some time and listen to my show with Halli.

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010



This is a quickie post but we have had this question on the yahoo group and I thought the answer was important enough that I wanted to make sure everyone saw is.

Question One: Can a surge protector protect equipment against an EMP attack. The answer is no. An EMP attack happens in three waves which are miliseconds apart. The first destroys the most fragile of electronic components but will not penetrate a surge protector. The second travels through the protector because the first has damaged it leaving a pathway for the pulse to get past and into your equipment. The third wave travels along wiring and destroys anything that has a power cord and also  utility lines.Remember all of this happens within less than a second so there is no time to take precautions once an attack begins. Surge protectors should always be used on expensive or sensitive electronic equipment as it does protect against power surges, brownouts and other common power problems which could damage your appliance.

Question two: Will solar panels, the panel itself withstand an EMP attack. My answer, no one seems to know. Bob made this comment on the yahoo group: I sent an e-mail to Home Power Magazine, they did respond, said they had no idea, that it would  be necessary to contact  the panel manufacture–  I was disappointed by their answer, as I have long regarded this magazine as the go to source for independent power system questions.

Just a few items first. I still have a few book combos available. It includes an autographed copies of James Talmage Steven’s book Making the Best of Basics, and my ebooks Mother Hubbard: What She’s Doing Now and That Won’t Happen To Me. The package sells for $50.00 and all the proceeds will be given to a struggling family to help pay off $100,000 in medical expenses. The total value of the book combo is $60.00. These can be split up for gifts or they make a great addition to any self reliance library. Purchase one today.

I will be appearing on James’ blog talk radio show Wednesday night, December 9th, and I am looking for someone who would like to go on air with me and discuss what needs to be done to prepare for the emergency which may happen to them. In other words, if you live in earthquake country and still have questions about how to prepare, I would love to answer your questions on air with you. The concern can be any emergency, hurricane, flood, wild fire, house fire, burglary…anything. Please email me if you are interested: Carolyn@TotallyReady.com. The show is broadcast at 5:00 PM Pacific time. If you just want to listen we can be found at: http://blogtalkradio.com/family then just click on James Talmage Stevens: Family Preparedness Guide or on air.

Now, this week please add 5 cans of fruit per family member to your store shelves. I know it’s the holiday season and money is getting tight but now is not the time to give up. Do what you can. Now may be the time to cut back on your other food expenses. You will never be sorry you have stocked your store shelves, I promise.

If you need suggestions for cutting your food budget read the post Money Saving Wednesdays…Think Food

Don’t forget to order your Totally Ready gift subscriptions to our Newsletter … buy one get one free

January Newsletter will included:

General Store Update

Survival Basics: Signaling For Help

Winter Power Outages

Answering Questions: Food Storage

Recap of Money Saving Ideas from 2009

Recipes

I had a comment on yesterdays post asking a question I felt others may also have and I didn’t want the answer buried so here it is:

I just went to a pandemic preparedness class in my community and they mentioned something called a cytokine storm… have you heard of this? The presenters were also selling products so I tended to be more leary butthis was something that I had not heard of before and I figured you would be the one to ask.

There is a lengthy explanation of cytokine storms in the Prep Not Panic ebook but in brief this is the answer:
Cytokine storms are the reason young people die more than would normally be expected during a pandemic.
When an illness of any kind enters the body an immunological response against the germ occurs. In those with the strongest immune systems the response is the strongest. Unfortunately, this massive response causes the release of human enzymes called “cytokines,” which destroy lung cells at the same time as it destroys the illness. This causes a potentially deadly outpouring of fluids into the lung. This interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide and leads to sever respiratory conditions such as pneumonia.

I also would be VERY wary of anyone selling a product when speaking of a pandemic. There is NO herb, pill, nothing, that can prevent a cytokine storm. The best defense against this is a good offense, build your immune system through good nutrition, self quarantine when a pandemic flu surfaces in your area, treat the symptoms of the flu seriously, and know when to go to the doctor or hospital. If you have symptoms go, don’t get diagnosed over the phone. Too many illnesses can appear to be a flu. If your condition worsens insist on a personal exam.

Again the guidelines for when to go to the doctor and when to go to the hospital are in the book so if you have it run off a copy and post it where you can find it should your family become ill. I have also done a few posts with guidelines so go through the posts.

I am at a family reunion this week and really short on time or I would search out the post myself but…more later.

I occasionally think we must be running out of questions about preparing and the H1N1 and then I check my email and I have a new batch.  My problem is that some come in the form of an email, some by phone, some in person and some as a comment on the blog. If I should ever hail to answer a question you have had please contact me again. I don’t mean to ignore the questions. I have also discovered a few in my spam, which really…frustrates me. So lets get to the questions.

What do we do about laundry if we live in an apartment and have to quarantine and can’t get to the laundromat?

That is a really great question. I sometimes get a little distracted and forget that many of you live in apartments. I’m sorry. Laundry may become a problem for any or all of us during any emergency if the electricity fails. A few months ago I posted directions for making a “washer” out of a five gallon bucket and a plunger. I think this is the easiest and cheapest way to prepare.

1. Purchase a five gallon bucket with a lid (home imrpovement center often have these cheap as they have logos on them and are free advertising)

2. Purchase a plunger.

3. In the center of the lid cut a hole large enough for the handle of a plunger to fit through.

4. Fill bucket 1/2 full with water.

5. Add small amount of liquid laundry detergent.

6. Add a few items of clothing.

6. Insert the plunger handle through the hole in the lid.

7. Agitate by moving the plunger up and down.

8. To rinse repeat the process with clean water.

This is best done on a floor which will not be damaged by standing water. If you do not have this then place the “washer” in the bath tub or shower. Have rope and clothes pins available to hang and dry clothes.

We were at a home improvement center this week and found clothes line pulleys. These are great to attach to a fence or across an alley to a neighbor’s balcony, be sure to return the favor. Towels and heavy items will dry in a few hours outdoors but will take a day indoors, so try to plan a method for outdoor drying.

In the case of illness you will need to use bleach to kill all the virus germs. This is why I recommend everyone have white sheets and white towels to be used in a recovery room.

About gloves for a sick room, they come in different styles: snug fit like doctors, etc. use or loose fit like some in the food industry use. There are also different grades of plastic. Does it make any difference what we should purchase for pandemic use? What do you recommend?

You should store medical style gloves. They come in several sizes. Store those which will fit family member snugly. You will need a new pair for each time you care for a patient and you may want a few more for times when you are in public, especially if using a public restroom. They are inexpensive so I have 100 stored per person. They are fun to blow up for Halloween parties or to fill with candy at Halloween so I know I can use them.

How would I cook without electricity. Are camping stove good?

I went to my trusted source, Karen, and here is her reply:
“The portable bake ovens are minimally successful but would be fine in an emergency. They are very small though and I have heard some complaints about their temperature accuracy. I would hate to cook for a family in one but if you are hungry you do what works.

I am recommending a solar oven. A good quality solar oven bakes bread with no problem, although it does take a little longer. A high quality solar oven will do everything but deep fry. I like the sun oven, which is what I sell, although there are other ovens available. Solar baking will be a pet project for me this summer. During my solar oven research I corresponded with a woman who cooks solar about 95% of the time. She does it for environmental reasons. Anyway, she swears by the benefits and ease of solar cooking. The benefits are numerous; one is that you do not have to store fuel. Draw backs are that the sun does need to be shining although I have seen people bake bread in the winter time when there is snow on the ground!

Draw backs on solar ovens are extended cooking time so you have to plan your meal and get it going early on.”

I would just add that a solar oven will work anywhere there is sun. If you live in an apartment or condo with a balcony or patio that gets sun, even a roof deck, you are set!

Our business computer crashed yesterday so we are sharing which means I need a fast post today! I thought it would be a good opportunity to address a great question.

Would you do an article discussing the issues of self-quarantining your family when one family must go out to work, either because you are voluntarily quarantining and the worker’s employer isn’t going to let them just work from home for a few months because they’re scared of flu, or because they are in a critical services role. How do you best protect that person and the rest of the family in that instance?

As of this morning the number of cases of H1N1 in the United States is 17855 with 45 deaths. The flu has not slowed down as much as was expected and the real concern I have is that the CDC is no longer identifying cases. The numbers above are the same as they were on June 12th. We really have no idea how many new cases have been identified in the past 5 days.

I had a long discussion with my friend Karen yesterday. She and her son had the H1N1 and it was awful! Her husband is a first responder and she has decided as soon as she hears anything about a new wave of the flu in the fall her doors are getting closed and locked. Her feeling is that protecting her family is worth a week of self quarantine to assess the situation. I agree. Missing a few days of school or work or missing a Sunday at church is not going to hurt anyone. This is exactly why I have been encouraging everyone to ask questions at work and school about “the plan”. If there is none, it is time to design your own. Can you make arrangements to work from home if the need arises? Do you have all the contact information you would need? Are your work files backed up and ready to load onto your home computer? Think creatively. If your schools do not have a plan be sure to get the email addresses of all your children’s teachers when school begins again. Be prepared with school supplies in your home; paper, flashcards, reading books, etc.

Karen’s solution for her husband is to house him in the garage. A room with a private entrance would be perfect. Sound awful? Not really. If he is at home and becomes ill she can then care for him. They have a plan for a bed and other “comforts” in the garage. If you choose this over a hotel room or having your family member live at the office, I would recommend a microwave and a small fridge in the garage or your private entrance room. Good meals can then be placed in the fridge, along with supplies to make sandwiches for lunches. Dinners can be heated in the microwave. If you have a spare TV or lap top that could be used to watch movies that would be great. An alarm clock, flashlight, port-a-potty, radio, and water to wash up  are also essentials. Think about how our fore fathers lived. They had a large pitcher and bowl they used to wash up. Be sure you have lots of hand sanitizer available for their use also. If your family member has a shower at work, perfect!

You would treat this arrangement as you would a patient. When you enter the room wear a mask and gloves. Leave food and any other supplies your family member has requested when they are not pesent. Disinfect surfaces every day and change sheets often. Treat laundry as though it is contaminated and place in a plastic bag and carry directly to the washer. Throw the bag away and sanitize hands immediately. Remove your mask and gloves and throw them away immediately when leaving the room. Remember it takes 2-4 days for symptoms to show up after a person is already contagious so always assume your loved one has been exposed and is contagious.

I hope that helps. Anyone else have a plan for this contingency?

I will be appearing on another web cast this Saturday, June 20th at 11:00am Central time. I will continue to speak about pandemic prep as we are now officially in the midst of a pandemic and questions on the topic have been increasing.  Please check in:

(347) 326-9604 call in with questions

If you missed the first broadcast you can listen at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/James-Talmage-Steven/2009/05/23/Family-Preparedness-Guide

We discussed a pandemic during that broadcast and there were lots of great questions so please check it out and then call in on Saturday.

Wow, have I gotten lots of questions lately! I will answer more tomorrow as I didn’t want too long a post for one day. Please keep those questions coming!  It really helps me to understand your needs and concerns and I learn so much as I research areas that are changing, such as the H1N1 vaccine, and also areas I’m just learning about such as HAM radio.

“I was trying to look up the ham radio operators in my local area & have no clue what to look for.  I don’t have the money or space for a big equipment set up like most of these

old-timers.  What do do?  What should I look for or ask when joining a club or getting a license?  Please advise.”

I suggest you go to the ARRL website (Amateur Radio Relay League), where they have a club search database: Affiliated Club Search

You can also try searching in Google for “amateur+radio+club+your county or city” and see what you find. Another search term that might lead to a licensing class, is to search for a “hamcram”. A popular method of preparing for the Technician Class License is to attend a one-day course called a HamCram, and at the end of the session they give the FCC exam, and over 90% of participants usually pass the test with no trouble.

In local areas there are radio organizations that affiliate ham radio operators with local offices of emergency services. One organization is Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). They are focused on preparing to serve in a local emergency, thus part of their preparation is to make certain their own families are equipped and prepared. Check it out at the ARES page.

Most ham operators are eager to help a new licensed operator learn the ropes, and most are eager to serve their community. The main thing is to enjoy the people involved, and the process of learning new operator skills. A sense of curiosity and adventure will help you understand the mentality of many “hams”.

There are many new technologies for those so inclined: Internet-linked repeaters that allow global communication, digital voice transmission, amateur television. For the technical person, these would be fascinating pursuits.

Base stations can be very small and will easily fit into a drawer or onto a shelf to be pulled out and used when you want to get on the air. Our base station is about seven inches square. You will need an antenna but your local club can advise you what works well in your area. There is quite a bit of used equipment available on the Internet, which is how we got most of ours’. Again, ask for help from those who have been “hams” for awhile and know what you are looking for before you buy something.

Someone was telling me about a solar lantern that would last six hours after charging.  Do you have any recommendation or info on this?  Someone recommended this which also has a radio and multiple ways to recharge it.  I would appreciate your help!

I love solar items which can also be used with batteries or a crank to supply power. I would not invest in more than one until you have actually held one and tried it. Some are cheaply made and easily damaged. Be aware that if you purchase a model with a crank that it must be charged using the solar option before the crank feature will work. Set it in the sun for several hours and you are good to go. I love the crank option because the sun is not always shining during an emergency, such as a winter storm which takes out the power. Also, a crank charge will last for several hours and is a great option for a night light. By the time the charge runs low you are asleep and you haven’t run down your batteries. Great for a kid’s room.

Just wanted to mention that even receiving items in mail can contaminate you with the virus. On our local news they discussed that if the virus is surrounded by mucus from a person, it can live up to 6-7 days. They mentioned it in connection of dollar bills that could circulate with the virus on it, but mail-order items would also be concern. Just make sure you wash your hands a lot, even if you haven’t gone into the public. I get flu every year even with the shots, so I don’t think I will take the vaccine. I don’t trust it being put together so quickly. In the past that has led to more deaths than the flu itself.

Great point about the mail and money. We must be aware of all of those avenues of contamination. During the 1918 pandemic people who self quarantined still became ill because neighbors would leave food on their porch, trying to help, but the containers had been exposed to the virus and the recipients became ill. Lots and lots of hand washing and lots and lots of disinfecting will be necessary to remain safe.

As for the vaccine, only time will tell how quickly it will come to the market and how much testing will have been done. I am also watching that closely. It frightens me when they say the vaccine will be available in August. I can’t believe it can be properly tested and manufactured by then. I will keep researching that since I too am skeptical. I would recommend anyone who has a compromised respiratory system or who has had pneumonia in the past get a pneumonia vaccination as one the foremost causes of death in the swine flu has been pneumonia. My sister-in-law had the H1N1 turn into double pneumonia in just two days.

You say we’re on track to have our 3 month storage by February. If I want to speed that up so I’m more prepared by the second wave of the flu (which would hit in the August-September time frame if it follows the 1918 pattern, or by October if it waits till normal flu season to reach second wave levels), how many months of food would I have stored if I either:

1. doubled up on all the weekly assignment food amounts starting now
2. (harder) went back and doubled everything that has already been assigned and stored?

By the way, I have ordered your Mother Hubbard and other ebook, and perhaps they will answer this question when I receive them.

We now have a three week supply so you could just multiply that by your goal. If you want a three month supply, for example, multiply by 4 (12 weeks = three months), for example, and stock up. There are however, a few things which we will add only once, such as the baking ingredients we added last week, so you will not have seen those yet. When you receive your ebook there will be an interactive spread sheet which will give you all the answers. Just enter the number of family members and the number of weeks or months that you choose as a goal. You will then see how much you need to store. Next, you can add in what you already have and it will calculate what you still need.

I am thrilled that you understand the importance of this part of preparing for the return of the H1N1. We all hope it won’t return and we can use our storage to eat more cheaply, as we will only need to purchase foods when they are on sale. BUT, if the flu comes back and we need to self quarantine we will eat well!

In recent months I have been asked repeatedly how new comers can catch up. I’ve been asked for a summary of our Seven Steps from last year (365 Days to be prepared) as well as a list of what we have already added to our General Store. I have been asked where to get more information on topics we have already discussed. With this in mind we are introducing a Totally Ready Newsletter.

You will no longer have to wonder what you missed when on vacation or recovering from an illness or just a busy week. I will announce special offers for preparedness supplies as I find good deals or arrange for discounts with suppliers or manufacturers. For a complete list of the sections and topics to be covered please check out the information on the newsletter link above.

Wedding season is upon us and a gift subscription would be a great way to help get the newly webs off to a great start! And of course there is Father’s Day!

A great gift for those you care about most…

Many of you have told me of your frustration with friends and family who are not preparing.

Our first newsletter will explain the importance of preparedness, review our three month supply, introduce the General Store concept,

bring you up-to-speed on the H1N1 flu virus, and include an e-book discount for our new e-book – all this for subscribers only!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

If you are a member of a preparedness or other group, please contact me directly about a group rate

Carolyn@TotallyReady.com

We all learn as you ask questions and since I try to wait until I have a few to post answers, today is the day. This first one came in the form of a comment but I thought it was good information for all. I will be posting a longer article about HAM radio in a few days so watch for that also.

Would you please write a post about how this equipment works (HAM radio) in a power failure situation? I’ve looked, in confusion, at various models offered on the internet, but haven’t got it figured out.

During an emergency HAMs work with government agencies and relief organizations providing help with communications. They often travel into areas devastated by the disaster. In these cases they use hand held radios to communicate. These radios are a great way for a beginner to get on the air. These models run on rechargeable batteries which are especially designed for radio use. With the right accessory the radio can also run on AA batteries.

Hand held units are designed to operate on 12 volts so they can also be run off of a car battery. The cost of a hand held which would do everything you need during an emergency is about $150.00.

Sounds like you may be thinking of getting a license. Do it! The more ways you have to communicate during a crisis the better. See the next question..

You talk about first responders not working during a pandemic so we can expect power failures, who are first responders?

First responders are anyone who has a job which affects our everyday life or our infrastructure. In other words, doctors and nurses, police officers, fire fighters, but also power company and telephone company repair personnel, and those who work at water treatment and sewage treatment plants. If a winter storm or other weather emergency, or merely a car accident or equipment failure, causes a problem during a pandemic there may not be anyone able or willing to go out to make the repairs. You may see telephone, cell phone and Internet communications all fail. If this were the case HAM radio would be your only form of communication.

Well, I guess that proved my point. I was just finishing up this post when there was a thunder storm, no rain just thunder and poof the internet went down. That was two hours ago. I’m sad to say there must have been lightening with the storm in the Sierra because now I can smell smoke. It can happen just that quickly, and we can have our communication cut off. Be prepared for the possibility.

One more questions.

Should we have plastic sheeting and duct tape stored for a pandemic?

No, you may, however, want to have it for other disaster purposes. I’m assuming you meant to use in a recovery room. A recovery room should be kept well aired out, as should the entire house. If someone in your home is ill the windows should be kept open when weather conditions permit. In the recovery room itself widows should be opened whenever the bedding is changed and/or the patient is out of the room, such as when they are in the bathroom. It is also appropriate to leave windows opened if the patient is comfortable, will not be laying in a draft, and it is warm outside. You want to create an environment that encourages the virus to die! Using plastic and duct tape on windows and doors should only be done when sheltering in place during a chemical or biological attach or when using the sheeting to prevent drafts during power outages in winter.

TWO MORE DAYS UNTIL OUR GIVE AWAY

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I was traveling yesterday and there was just never a good time to post. Today, I’m back and ready to answer a few questions.

This is not really a question but just some great information I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss.

Storage space is in short supply on our main floor, so my extra supply of non-perishable things like toilet paper and tissue is stored in the attic. We don’t have a major mouse problem but every once in a while one will find it’s way in. Now mice love nothing more than paper to build their nests in, so what I’ve done to store that extra TP and tissue is put them inside large plastic storage tubs with the lids taped shut. (I found red ones for Christmas decorations on sale after Christmas) Now that it’s garage sale season, it might be a good idea to be on the look out for gently used clean storage tubs.

This is a great idea for paper products of all kinds. During a long illness or a long quarantine you will want extra paper products on hand, napkins, plates, cups, paper towels, etc. An attic or garage is a great place to store these and since they are not heavy, stacking several plastic tubs will save room and allow you to store plenty.

Storage tubs are traditionally on sale during the months of January and July so begin looking for sales in a few weeks.

Referring to our General Store post on Monday…

That’s a lot of cans. Can I store freeze dried or dehydrated?

You can do anything what works well for your situation, BUT, you knew there was a but coming…I would not store anything freeze dried or dehydrated except eggs and cooking ingredients such as onions and peppers. The reason, during almost every emergency water systems are affected and there is no water available or, the water that is, needs to be boiled and purified before you can use it. I have mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again since we have so many new people joining us. The syrup from canned fruit makes a great liquid to make oatmeal or other hot cereals. The liquid in vegetables can be used to cook rice or pasta.

My second reason for recommending against freeze dried and dehydrated is the amount of time it takes to prepare these meals, much longer than simply heating a can of green beans. If you are without electricity this will become a big problem. Canned foods will heat through quickly on a backyard grill or in a fire pit, the others will take much longer, using much more of your fuel supply.

And, third, these foods are much more expensive. If you really have $1000.00 to spend you cannot only get the same amount of food but also all of your paper supplies and toiletries for that same $1000.00.

What are the characteristics of N95 Masks.  Here in Australia, when I phoned the pharmacy asking for N95 masks they said they have masks that surgeons wear during operations. I read somewhere they said that those are very hot and sweaty to wear. Is N95 an internationally used mask?

I’m at a little bit of a loss here as far as recommending where to purchase masks in Australia. Maybe someone in Australia can help us out here. In the US you can purchase them at any pharmacy or chain store which sell over the counter medications. An N95 mask is any mask that has a government rating which confirmed that it prevents 95% of germs and bacteria from getting through. There are masks with valves, masks which are firm and cup shaped and those which are flat and have loops that fasten around your ears. All three types are effective. The important part is that they have a metal strip at the nose so it can be adjusted to fit firmly against the face. N95 masks should be labeled as N95 on the packaging.Yes, they are hot and sweaty, any good mask will be.

I search N95 masks, Australia and found several sources on the Internet. Please let us know what you find.

PREGNANT WOMEN

I have mentioned in the past that pregnant women are in much greater danger during a pandemic than other groups. This has been the pattern during past pandemics. Yesterday the CDC released this statement:

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Pregnant women are especially at risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus and shouldn’t hesitate to use antiviral drugs if they even think they might be infected, doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say.

Health officials are investigating 20 cases of infected pregnant women, several of whom had severe complications, says the CDC’s Anne Schuchat. One of those pregnant woman — teacher Judy Trunnell, 33, of Harlingen, Texas— died May 5.

Flu complications in pregnancy include pneumonia, dehydration and preterm labor, Schuchat says. Treatments include such drugs as oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, sold as Relenza, she says.

“Sometimes physicians are reluctant to treat pregnant women with medicines, and sometimes pregnant women are reluctant to take medicines because, of course, they are sometimes risky during pregnancy,? Schuchat says. But ?the experts who have looked into this situation really strongly say that the benefit of using antiviral drugs to treat influenza in a pregnant women outweigh the theoretical concerns about the drugs.?”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-12-swine-flu_N.htm?csp=usat.me

Pregnant women should take extra precautions to stay away from large group events, should practice social distancing, avoid hand shaking and avoid those who are ill. This will be very important in the early stages of a second wave. If you hear a second wave has begun and you are pregnant begin these precautionary practices immediately.

I’ll be traveling today and not able to update during the day but I wanted to answer so of the questions I have received from you. I am so happy you are asking as preparing is so important and the only way to know how to prepare is to ask questions, lots of questions.

So if the 1918 flu killed mainly young, healthy people, is there anything I can do now to help my family?

There are many things you can do now to help protect your family.

1. Teach all family members to cover their mouth with a tissue and dispose of the tissue as soon as they are finished using it.

2. Teach family members to sneeze or cough into their arm if they do not have a tissue.

3. Counsel everyone not to shake hands or hug anyone who is ill or has a family member who is ill. If your child attends school they will probably know if one of their friends has a family member who is sick. Kids love to share all of this information.

4. Teach your children how to wash their hands. Hands should be washed with soap and water and rubbed, every surface, while singing the ABC song or Happy Birthday. Remind them to wash their wrists.

5. Keep your children home and away from crowds as soon as you hear of the flu returning in the fall. Don’t wait to be told to quarantine. I do not know if the next round will come, or how potent it will be, but missing a day or two of school or work is not the end of the world. It can be made up.

6. Make posters to remind your family what you are trying to teach. Cut pictures out of magazines or take pictures of your children washing their hands, sneezing correctly, etc.

7. Be sure your children understand the meaning of quarantine and they understand they do not open the door to anyone, even a trusted neighbor.

8. Keep you family members well hydrated and well rested.

9. Prepare now for an isolation room. If you should have to take in a family member or friend who you suspect may have been exposed place them in quarantine for seven days to make sure they do not have the virus. During the 1918 pandemic when communities followed this procedure they had few or no cases of the flu.

10. Get the annual flu shot in the fall. It may not protect you against the H!N! virus but it will protect against the seasonal flu which will be circulating at the same time.

Why would young healthy people die from it?

Good question! Apparently with this strain of flu the immune system over reacts to the virus and works too hard to kill it. Naturally, those with compromised immune systems all this over reaction does no harm and leads to a cure. In healthy individuals this causes complications which leads to the body shutting down. Scientists really don’t completely understand why this happens.

The other group at high risk are pregnant women. The victim of H1N1 who died yesterday was a 33 year old pregnant woman. If you are pregnant or know someone who is they should be even more cautious than normal, about avoiding contact with anyone who may have been exposed.

Can you get the flu twice?

The simple answer is no, but… If you get the flu twice in one season go to the doctor right away. Once you have the seasonal flu it should not return during the same season. If it does, you either have a different flu which could be the swine flu or you may have another illness and not a flu. You may be able to get the H1N1 more than once since, by definition, it is a virus that has mutated and may still be mutating. Every time a virus mutates your former immunity no longer exists.

What type of thermometer do you recommend?

Disposable thermometer are not reliable and should not be used when keeping a record during a serious illness. Thermometers used in the ear also do not provide an accurate reading. Digital models have been found to be inaccurate and to underestimate high temperatures. Mercury thermometers used orally, for children and adults, and rectally for infants and toddlers, are the best. The disadvantage of a mercury thermometer is the length of time you need to keep it in the mouth, up to eight minutes to get the most accurate results. Remember when using a rectal thermometer a temperature of 100 degrees is normal.   I recommend you have more than one thermometer in the house as they can, and do, get broken and during a health crisis you do not want to be without.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11494651

Is tamiflu by prescription only?

Yes, and it is very expensive, about $125.00 for one person. There is no anti viral available over the counter. I have been sent a few homeopathic remedies the last few days but after reviewing research I cannot find one that has any scientific basis for it’s claims. Unless I can find a study that backs claims I will not pass along the information to you. There is no need to waste money on things that don’t really work. When I researched one of the remedies I was sent it turned out to be made with duck liver and sugar and the research on which it was based was from 1920 and had all been proven wrong. Please be careful,  do some research before taking anything you see recommended on the internet or by friends. I have also had coloital silver recommended and it is VERY dangerous, don’t use it!

Today’s update as of 8:00am PDT:

On Wednesday, the WHO confirmed more infections in Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany — taking the U.N. agency’s toll to 1,516 officially reported cases in 22 countries.

The bulk of these remain in North America.

The United States has 403 confirmed cases in 38 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, with another 700 “probable” cases. Canada has reported 165 cases.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519100,00.html

April 29 2:30pm PDT

I usually post my updates at the end of my posts but this is just too important and I don’t want anyone to miss it. The World Health Organization has just held a news conference and raised the threat level for a pandemic to a level 5. This means the H1N1 flu is now officially a pandemic. During the conference they stated that the flu would continue to spread and could get more severe. They also noted that it would be more severe in less industrialized countries. This is very serious and should not cause us to panic but it should be a wake up call if you are not prepared to remain in your home for at least two weeks. No grocery store, no work, no school, no going outside for any reason except to go to the doctor. This is the only way to truly keep your family safe. There is no need for that right now but it could come. A week ago no one was talking about a pandemic. Things can and will change very quickly and now is the time to plan what you and your family will do. Please go back and read the Friday pandemic post on this blog, please check at work and school to determine what the plans are there and please speak with extended family to verify that they also have a plan. When I hear more I will pass it along. Please don’t listen to rumors, confirm all you read or hear with another source.

***

As you may have noticed I failed to post any updates for several hours yesterday. We had a power outage. It made me think about just how quickly things can change. I intended to keep posting through this flu outbreak and had always thought I would keep in touch and answer questions during a pandemic. I saw this as a place to share frustrations, suggestions, to get questions answered, and to just plain feel connected to the outside world. Then it happened, the power went out and I realized there may be times we can’t communicate. I knew that. I have warned you to be prepared for power outages during a pandemic but yesterday made it all too real. What that means to me is that we need to share and ask now while we still can.

I am still hopeful that this flu will not become a very deadly pandemic. It may become a pandemic but hopefully a mild one with “few” deaths. I realize any death is one too many.

Most of us have been preparing but if you are just beginning please don’t go empty your savings accounts and blindly go crazy buying food and supplies. It may seem self serving, but, just go download Mother Hubbard…What She’s Doing Now, read it and begin to stock up in an organized way. There is a calculator in the ebook to help you know how much you need to store for a week’s supply up to a year’s supply of each food category. You can also go back through the posts in the Where to begin food storage section on this blog and use that as your guide. You will want to store foods your family likes and eats all the time, store what you eat and eat what you store. You will also want to add foods to have on hand for those who are ill or recovering from the flu. These include, plenty of juices, jello, broths, chicken noodle soup, popsicles, applesauce, rice, and saltine type crackers. I will post a list of the stages of the flu and the specific foods to eat later today or tomorrow.

While you are at the bank take out some cash in small denomination bills. If this should become a pandemic and there is a “run” on the store, or power goes down, you may need cash to pay for supplies. During most emergencies it comes to that, either the credit card system becomes overwhelmed and useless, or there is no power to keep it working. This of course, would also be true of the ATM system, don’t count on it being available.

Please take a minute to read the comments on yesterday’s post. There are some great tips from readers there. Now to some questions:

“Then they say it will possibly come back in the fall… I feel like this is our “drill” for what may come.”

Yes, this could come back in the fall. Typically a pandemic comes in two or three stages. The first stage is mild and people die but most people survive. This typically lasts 9-12 weeks. During the second stage the virus is usually stronger and deaths increase. There is normally only a very short period of time between the second and third waves but people are lulled into a state of false security between the first and second because they believe it is all over. This is the time to step up our preparedness effort so we are ready in case a second wave happens. If everyone would continue to follow Our General Store preparations each Monday they will be ready to self quarantine by the time that second wave occurs.

What do you think about the vaccine that they may give next fall… I really don’t want to take it, from what I read about what happened in the 1970’s. Do you think it can be safe if they are able to grow the vaccine from seeds?

I feel confident that a vaccine will not be disastrous this time as it was in 1976. The government went into panic mode at that time and there probably should have been more testing before the vaccine was given. I am so glad you asked about this as I really should have explained, I apologize. A seed stock is not a seed. It is called that because like a tomato seed that produces a tomato a seed stock of a virus produces a virus. Think of a seed stock for a virus as a petri dish growing that virus. When scientist want to study the virus they go to the dish, remove some of the virus, provide the correct environment for it to thrive and then use it to test a vaccine to see if it will kill the virus. A small amount of the virus is also needed a part of the vaccine itself.  A scientist will tell you that explanation is not complete but for those of us not creating a vaccine it should help you understand.

Do you think they are keeping the real risk “quiet”? I don’t think most people are worried at all about the threat of what this can become. They keep reporting about what happens with a seasonal flu and make it seem like this is the same type of thing. I don’t feel like it is the same at all – what do you think?

I think the government just wants to avoid panic. I am more upset with the media. I sent some articles I have written to news outlets and asked if I could help inform their readers and listeners (TV and radio) and I did not get one call in response. Now, I realize they have not heard of me but they have not had anyone else explaining how to prepare except to say to wash your hands and stay home if you get sick. Well, if you are quarantined and haven’t prepared who do they think is going to bring you food and medical supplies? I’m sick of hearing about the first 100 days and a republican who jumps parties when families are frightened. I hope this blog is helping to alleviate some of those fears and bring you facts. If it has helped you please share it with those you know.

Should I stay home from church and keep my kids home from school?

If there is swine flu in your school or in your community I would stay home from all public gathering. Hold a worship service in your home and call your child’s school or teacher for some guidance and create lessons in your home. If they don’t have anything watch the Discovery Channel and discuss what you learn or get out a classic book and read it together. By the way, if there is a child at school with the flu your school should have been closed.

I have a question for you. WHAT DID YOUR SCHOOL SAY WHEN YOU ASKED THEM HOW THEY WERE PREPARED FOR A PANDEMIC?

As an update..

Texas has canceled all school events sports, plays, etc. until May 11th.

I’m sure you are aware there has now been a death in Texas of a 23 month old boy who was visiting from Mexico.

Germany has now confirmed the flu is there also.

Egypt is destroying all it’s pigs even though there is no flu there and this virus is being transferred between humans, not pigs. There is no reason to destroy pigs and YOU CANNOT GET THE FLU BY EATING PORK PRODUCTS. You might be able to get a great deal on pork roast and ribs right now!

More later…

There were just a couple of questions this week. You have been great about answering questions for other readers, making my job much easier. There is nothing like personal experience. Please keep sharing.

Can anyone tell me if a gas stove, gas water heater or gas furnace will work without electricity?

Gas stoves will continue working during an electrical outage, but their electronic ignition will not. You will need to light your stove with a match. You will need a supply of matches for this purpose. You will also need a plan in place to educate family members in the proper use of the stove. Children should be taught that only an adult is allowed to turn on and light the stove. They should be taught to recognize the smell of natural gas and propane. If a burner is not turned completely off or if someone turns on the stove top and then walks away before the gas ignites an explosion or poisoning could occur.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 500 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. You cannot see, smell or taste this gas. Because of this, death can occur before anyone is aware there is a problem.

Many natural gas or propane appliances will work even when the power is out. Most water heaters operate with a pilot light so they function even when the electricity doesn’t. Most furnaces however, won’t operate during a power outage because every forced air heating system requires electricity to run blowers. Gas appliances with electronic ignitions will not work without electricity to ignite the natural gas. Gas dryers will not work as they also require a fan powered by electricity.

A dry run is a great suggestion but remember it will need to be for more than a few minutes. There will be hot water in your water heater that will stay warm because of the pilot light. The question is, when that hot water is gone will it heat more?

Another electricity tip. There are many electric companies that keep a list of those who are disabled or need electrical power to sustain life. Some states or local communities require these lists. If you or a family member has such a need check with your provider. Of course, in the case of a massive failure on the grid there will be few options but for a more localized outage these lists help determine which sections of the grid are restored first. They also provide a means to contact those in need when a shelter with electricity is established.

I had someone ask me for more references for my facts. I will try to include those with future articles. I’m happy you want to do more research for yourselves. Often we need several sources to really educate skeptical family and friends.

We’ve had a few questions that need answering. The first was a question for Karen and she actually answered it on the blog post but just in case you missed it here is her answer:

I’m back to ask another question. Karen, I noticed on your site that you have a sale going on right now for a grain press. What is the difference between a grain press and a grain mill? I googled but couldn’t find an answer.

I have been off line a few days working on a different project. Sorry for the delayed answer. The difference between a mill and a press is the finished product of the grains processed. A grain mill makes flour. It grinds from coarse, to very fine. Depending on the mill, it will also produce corn meal. The mills are either electric or manually operated. They are considerably larger and are usually real work horses. You can grind several cups of fine flour in a few minutes.

A home grain press is a smaller piece of equipment with a much smaller capacity. It is manually operated and presses the grains into flakes, or into a coarse meal, depending on the grain. With a press you can roll your own oatmeal, you can press wheat into lovely cracked wheat for cereals and breads, and you can grind smaller seeds like buckwheat and even flax.

I love my grain press because it enables me to store oat groats in my home and roll fresh oats as I need them. I use mine three to four times a week.

Question number 2

What kind of cheese is the best to store in our General Store?

I like to store a variety of cheeses. I have some powdered cheese, one #10 can. Although mac and cheese is not a favorite of mine the kids love it so I use the powdered cheese for that. Powdered cheese is also great to make flavored popcorn. Just pop your corn, add a little butter to help the cheese stick and sprinkle with cheese powder. Toss to coat and you have an easy, fun snack. Yes, I have popcorn in my General Store. Also, when my son’s were missionaries they craved mac and cheese. I mailed them little baggies of cheese powder and they could make there own. They could get pasta, just not the cheese. I also store processed cheese such a Velveeta. I can add a can of Mexican tomatoes or chillies and make great nachos. It also works well in casseroles. My favorite is real cheese. however. I freeze cheese, it crumbles when you use it but for most things that is fine. I am going to start waxing my own cheese now. It has been a goal of mine to get started doing that and this week Karen had a great write up in her newsletter about using this method. There is even a link to a source for the wax and a discount available to her readers. Go to her website and sign up for her newsletter. Just fill out the info at the bottom of the home page and hit subscribe. Also check out the great price she has on a grain mill. If you need more info on that send her an email and she will get back to you with the info.

Now, my financial fast report. I haven’t heard from any of you. Did you all chicken out? If you don’t think this is an important little drill then you are still deceiving yourselves, maybe just a little. Please take up the challenge and see how you are really spending your money. We all believe we are frugal but are we really? What if the economy really tanks the way many economists are now predicting it will, are your ready? Do you really understand where your money goes and how to plug the holes? Unless you have kept an expense diary I doubt it. This is such a valuable lesson for kids to learn. Have them participate also. How will they react when they have to take their lunches to school? How will your husband react when the time comes that he will have to brown bag it? I reported that I traded for a haircut and fought the temptation to do the fast food dash two nights, the first week. This week it was easier. I just avoided going anywhere, except to the grocery store, where I might be tempted. I did make a trip to the eye doctor but I didn’t order new frames, the old ones will have to do. I did need a new prescription but the frames will just have to hold up another few years. Maybe that’s what I should tell everyone I want for my birthday… a group gift! Right now getting my General Store stocked and getting some extra cash in the till is more important than anything I would want to purchase. Please try a fast of your own and let us know what you discover.

One last tip…in case you missed the comment on Monday’s General Store post, Jeanette reminded us that Easter candy will be on sale cheap next Monday. This would be a great addition to the desserts we are placing in our Store this week. Thanks for the reminder!