HELP!! Where do I start??

Hi Guys, I am new here and this is my first post. I have been reading all of your posts and I would like some advice.

No-one in my family thinks that I should be worried about BF at all. I would like to start stocking up on supplies but I am finding it difficult to find supplies of mask, suit etc in the UK. Any ideas?

Also what could I use to protect my 1 year old there is no way he would keep a mask on.

Also are you all intending to stay indoors for months? Do you think it would be safe to venture to a supermarket mid pandemic?

Sorry about the number of questions, it just this is the first place I have been able to speak about it without being told I am over reacting.

IMO the only way to protect a toddler is keep them away from others at all costs.  They put their hands and other "stuff" in their mouths as a matter of course and thus a huge infection risk.

There probably won't be grocery stores stocked to go visit mid-point of a pandemic.  On both ends, yes.  The beginning and the end, but I wouldn't plan on the middle and risk my family's wellbeing on the assumption that store stock will be able to be maintained.  Just my opinion though.

SZ

LoopyLou,

  Welcome. You are among friend from all over the world. Take a break and relax.

  Good information is a cure for the jitters. If you think prepping is a good idea, then do so. You are being responsible to yourself, family and community. Research this vast forum for information and research official H5N1 web sites.

  I've read other posts that the UK does not have many official sites with straighforward information. Check www.pandemicflu.gov , www.cdc.gov , in the UK the Department of Health site is a start at www.doh.gov.uk .

 Regarding prepping and personal protective clothing, you'll find good references at this forum. There are several folks from the UK who are regulars here.

 You can't learn everything in 1 day nor is there a reason to try. This virus is killing lots of birds but as of today it has not gone Human to Human (H2H).

Don't let the press cause alot of stress. Confirm shocking stories. Most breaking news is innacurate.

Churchill, Brunel, Darwin, Shakespeare, and Newton all had critics too. . 

Oh yes and the "Who" offered, "No Future Fear"

Glad you came. You'll find no argy-bargy here.

Hi Loopylou,

cosmicpixie from cardiff here (cardiff is quite built up harpman,but we plan to move more rurally this year hopefully).

here are the sites i said i'd tell you about-

www.surviveall.co.uk

family bird flu kits and general emergency stuff

www.cleanroomshop.co.uk

masks,coveralls,gloves,shoe covers etc

www.protectdirect.co.uk

more of the same

www.diysafety.co.uk

more of the same

and for news-

www.avian-bird-flu-news.co.uk

excellent site,updated throughout the day from around the world

www.newsnow.co.uk

this got posted about today,the best news site I've seen,updates constantly from around the world ,there is a particular page for bird flu upddates

loopylou,i doubt the water supply would be off for any really long period of time,but that's just my opinion.I imagine any problems with utilities would be sporadic and be in relation to how many people are off sick,but then they will have back up people to do the job and if things got really bad,the government would install special water hoses throughout the city my partner rckons and we'd have "rations" of water.Still,i have got 6 water butts of ebay,each 55l,i will keep 2 and give others to our family who wont prepare for stuff like that.plus have 20 jerr cans off ebay,each 5l,for 55p each,to store water for drinking,plus juice.There are other discussions specifically about water storage/purifying on the site,i would look for those later on and read through whats already been written

Thanks for all the info cosmicpixie, I will have a look and start ordering some stuff.

harpmandoodle, andypandy says hi

marzin,

i wouldn't jump to any real sense of hope yet given the info that was also on the same discussion thread,talking about how the first "wave" of the 1918 flu also happened to be a "mild" version with low mortality rates,but in the 2nd wave all hell broke loose.And viruses constantly change,so i think it's a bit early to know exactly what we are in for,though of course one hopes it proves less severe than everyone is talking about it becoming.

Hi loopylou.I'm only an ameteur myself you know but tell me a bit more and i will imagine what "i" would do if "i" were "you".Do you or your partner work? if so,in what kind of industry?Me and my partner both work part time from home,so dont have to go out alot in that respect.i have a mum and brother and he has a father,brother and mum,his brother is a hermit anyway so i wont counthim in my equations,but i have bought protective gear with SIX adults in mind and went for the family FFP3 200 kit off survive all which cost 336 pounds.this includes 200 of the best quality disposable masks (FFp3 not FFp2), 400 pairs of latex gloves,6 pairs of goggles,and 4 bottles of sanitizing hand scrub.That works out at roughly 33 masks each and 66 pairs of gloves each.

Given the fact i may want the option to go for short walks in secluded areas,as i just cannot imagine not leaving the house for a whole 6 months,i WILL go mad,i am thinking of getting more masks,as most people on here seem to think masks,gloves and goggles are enough unless you are in close contact to diseased birds or ill people.The goggles are ones you keep and disinfect every time you finish wearing them.

I have ordered 20 child masks for my son who is 2 and a bit.these are £5 each so not cheap.I am thinking of getting another 40 child masks.I can't realistically keep a 2 year old locked up in a house for 6 months straight,it will do some very weird damage to him surely if i did that as he is just too young to be explained things to and will be disturbed enough not being able to see his beloved grandparents.However,your son is 3 so would understand more and be more adaptable,and your other child is a babe so won't know any different,and if i couldn't afford much (the only reason i can is coz my dad died)then i would aim to stay home as much as i can and just purchase as many mask and gloves as i could first an foremost.I do not want to go insane ,which i will do myself if locked up in here like a prison.i will not go anywhere densley populated or very public but i will probably attempt to go on some walks in quieter areas,and pick places which perhaps have military guards to oversee order and peace.I imagine they would have to put people like that on the streets?

I can't find child sized plastic gloves ANYWHERE

So,i plan to order more masks  for myself and partner to bring the total to 60 masks each for us and 60 for our son.Thats around about 2 outings a week for us all.We have  a small garden so wont need masks out there.Someone advised plastic sheeting for the garden which you can wash down after with disinfectant-as bird poop does land on grass,unseen,and may not be wise to let kids roll in the grass if a full blown pandemic breaks out.

I am going to order this week hopefully,and continue to watch news closely.If things start to look even more like a pandemic is in the offing than they already do,i may well buy even more masks ,as my current figures are based on 6 months,but maybe a pandemic would actaully go on longer.

i know there are masks which you can buy that are re-usable,you just change the filters-these may be a better bet if you have to go out alot? i didn't really look into those,maybe should actually as they may be more cost effective.

If you are on any benefits you can apply for a social fund loan and get around 300 quid that you pay back a few quid a week.If you can cut back on any outgoings NOW ,you can save a few quid each week to put towards stuff.You could probably find extra money just by driving less,not eating out too much or having takeways,buying cheaper makeup,not buying many new clothes,cut back on ciggs if you smoke etc.Think of stuff you can sell on ebay to raise funds,i used to do that myself.

But yeah,masks and gloves first and one bottle of industrial grade disinfectant hand scrub.