Prep planning....

   I got this off of *******....

Where to Stay

Evaluate your current abode; is it urban, suburban, or rural? There is no one single clear-cut definition for any of these, as urban can mean apartment, townhouse, or single family home. It can mean a high- or low-crime city. It can mean reasonable room to store provisions for several months, or a highly space-restricted efficiency (i.e., the sleeper couch serves as the bed every night). How well prepared might the nearest neighbors be? How about the larger community? How about the city itself? Will there be sufficient vaccine distribution arrangements, measures to continue electricity/water/sewage, and contingencies for law enforcement absenteeism? An aid to understanding where can be found in the Decision Support Matrix below. You have to determine the feasibility of any potential location based on the potential for who and what, primarily.


If the urban area you reside in is prepared (or preparing), then provisioning for and riding out a pandemic at home could be entirely feasible. Indeed, you will likely be safer at home when the pandemic hits than on the crowded road in the midst of potential fuel shortages with other pandemic refugees (and opportunists preying upon them). If you have concerns with the security potential of your current residence for any combination of reasons, then consideration of all alternatives is prudent.

Questions to answer:

Do I plan to ride out the pandemic with my immediate family? Extended family? Friends? Other like-minded people? Some combination?
What is the potential of the current location for civil unrest that may jeopardize my (family’s) safety? What is the potential for household, neighborhood, community, and town/city protective measures?
What is the potential for food and water storage in the residence? What is the potential for food and water resupply?
Distancing vs. Stay-in-Place (SIP)

At some point, you will have to determine the approach you will take to isolating yourself from others during the pandemic. The major choices are;

No isolation; continue as normal
“Distancing” (keeping at least 3 feet from anyone in public)
Staying home when sick or to care for children when schools are closed
Staying home altogether when a pandemic wave is in your region
There is no one approach that will fit everyone’s family and work situation; after reading the rest of this book, have a frank discussion with those you plan to ride out the pandemic with and work out an agreement that all can support.