NYC has gone through with the bag ban

[conuly]

People are soldiering on. For me, of course, absolutely nothing has changed because I already use reusable bags!

Speaking of shopping, since the weather continues cold I'll make a trip down to Pathmark tomorrow and stock up on blintzes. And possibly other stuff. I'm still not terribly worried about the virus, even with recent cases in the USA, but I am concerned that enough panic buying will render me unable to make French toast. I'm grimly aware, of course, that it is precisely this concern that will lead to the crisis we're all trying to avoid, but all the same - gotta get the milk and eggs. (And pasta, I think. What do you all stock up on when heading into weather and illness?)

****************************

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Comments

[archersangel]

toilet paper. which i hear they're buying a lot of in hawaii because of virus concerns.

[conuly]

I order toilet paper in bulk anyway because no way I'm lugging 36 rolls home in my backpack.

[cynthia1960]

It doesn't take coronavirus to get folks in Hawai'i to stockpile toilet paper; strikes on the waterfronts do it every time according to my family on Maui.

[loligo]

What do you all stock up on when heading into weather and illness?

Well, I can list the stuff that I've stocked up on in the past couple days. Our family of four has two vegetarians and a person with food allergies (me), so I get a little nervous about having appropriate food on hand. This weekend we just focused on pantry items -- I still need to clean out and reorganize the fridge and freezer before deciding what to buy in those categories. So in case this breakdown is useful to anyone:

Starches: Rice (three kinds), pasta, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pancake mix

Proteins: Canned tuna, chickpeas, lentils, split peas, almonds, peanut butter, protein bars, refried beans, silken tofu

Other: spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes of various types, canned chilies, coconut milk, curry paste, cereal, almond milk, canned soups

I haven't ever contemplated how much toilet paper our family typically goes through in two weeks... we already have a couple extra rolls in each bathroom, but now peer pressure is making me think I ought to start stockpiling...

[conuly]

Toilet paper at least never goes bad.

[adrian_turtle]

I just ordered groceries for delivery, including a lot of things that are problematic for me to keep around for more than 6 weeks. Not generally, just THESE 6 weeks, because Passover starts in 5.5 weeks. Should I be stocking up on potatoes rather than pasta and flour? Potatoes won't keep that long in this apartment!

[conuly]

That's gotta be frustrating!

[pauamma]

I don't buy more than 8 days in advance, if that. Lack of ability to plan ahead, plus the presence of a supermarket next door, see to it. I'd be screwed if I needed much more. Or maybe would go on short rations. I don't know.

[readerjane]

We stocked up big time for Y2K. After that fizzled, the next kids who came through asking for donations to a local food pantry got more of a donation than they were bargaining for.

[conuly]

You stocked up on things you don't use usually, you mean?

[readerjane]

It was all stuff we would have used eventually, and all non-perishable. But there was just so much of it; it was taking up a lot of space in my son's closet.

[wendelah1]

Because of earthquake preparedness, I always have supplies: right now, without going to the market, I have enough food in my fridge, freezer and pantry to survive for a month, if not longer. Pantry: Canned soup, beans, pasta, cereal, p-nut butter, tomato sauce, tuna, barley, rice, coucous, other grains. Dried beans. Coconut milk. Flour. Condiments galore. Lots of teas. An extra bag of coffee. Lots of honey. Dried fruit. Granola bars. Applesauce. I have a grapefruit tree, plus I get fresh vegetables and fruits delivered every week from one of those farm to table thingies. I suppose that might shut down but I have plenty of frozen vegetables, too, also frozen ground beef, chicken legs, and fish fillets. Frozen butter. Frozen margarine. Frozen bread. Frozen strawberries, peaches and blueberries. I have six large rolls of paper towels, which I normally use sparingly, but would put into the bathrooms in case of illness, and at least a dozen large rolls of toilet paper. I already have filter masks, giant bottles of alcohol hand gel plus several smaller bottles, all in my earthquake supplies. I have hospital grade bleach wipes. Gloves. Unopened bottles of Tylenol, digital thermometers. Etc. Etc.

I've already refilled all of the meds I'm on. My generic antidepressant is made locally (!!) and anyway I still have a six week supply. My husband has already ordered his meds, too.

I should probably get some boxed milk. Nasty stuff for drinking but fine for cereal and cooking. I should get more laundry detergent, and more dish soap. Maybe another dozen eggs, since they'll keep well. Oh, and electrolyte replacement--sports drinks, bottled apple juice, etc. I should go through the pantry, reorganize, and catalog what I have. I haven't done that this year but I've been preoccupied.

[conuly]

Bah, I'm not a fan of sports drinks. If my electrolytes need replacing I'll whip up some ORT and call it a day. Salt, water, sugar = gatorade!

[lightbird]

I'm terribly unprepared. I've got frozen meals in the freezer, but only enough for like 8 days.

Thanks for the push though. I should go shopping tomorrow. Will buy paper products like toilet paper and such, but should probably stock up on food like almonds and/or almond-butter, protein bars, cereal, almond milk, rice, potatoes, frozen veggies and fruits that won't go bad.

I just refilled meds but still, that's only a month's worth.

[wpadmirer]

People here are freaking out over a plastic straw ban. I swear, they're addicted to plastics.

Hope the storm doesn't give you too much trouble!

[conuly]

Remember over the summer some woman died because she collapsed (due to a known disability) and her steel straw went through her eyes? And people kept on talking about it and it's just... I get that disposable straws can be an accessibility issue for disabled people, I really do, but even if another woman with that exact same disability had that exact same thing happen while carrying that exact same drink with that exact same straw, the odds of the straw going through the eye and to the brain and killing her have got to be teensy.

[wpadmirer]

Starbucks switched to these really nice heavy, almost cardboard straws. They work great, and could be reusable for a while if you wanted.

I never bought into the steel straw thing, because honestly, cleaning those would be a bitch. And falling with your drink in your hand could lead to puncture wounds.

I had not heard about those two women, but I have friends with disabilities, and I can see how the steel straws could be more dangerous to them!

[conuly]

Meh, it's not such a hassle to clean them.

[wpadmirer]

That's good to know. I get really careful about things that have a lot of exposure to liquid. In Florida, with our humidity levels, mold is a huge worry with everything.

[conuly]

I don't know about Florida, but we don't have a problem here with our own mugginess issues. Just wash them promptly with the little brush and some soap.

[sixbeforelunch]

It wasn't done with prepping in mind, but I did just buy an entire pound of loose-leaf Assam tea, and 24oz of mint tea, so at least I know I'm set with that.

I've picked up toilet paper and tissues, some pasta, and a ton of canned soup, plus some frozen meals and bread (that has now gone into the freezer). I live alone, and suspect that I could make it 2-3 weeks on what I have in the house, although I wouldn't enjoy it. I am going to try to organize the food stuffs tomorrow so that I can get an idea of where the gaps are. I know I need canned tomatoes and possibly I'm going to get some ultra-pasteurized shelf-stable cream for the tea.

NASA and the naked ladies

[mtbc]

Joe Davis: ha, hilarious with the MIT radar dish.

[neotoma]

I stock up on things that don't require much if anything in the way of cooking -- pasta and sauce, canned soups, eggs, bread-cheese-butter (grilled cheese sandwiches in 5 minutes or less!), granola and other breakfast bars, yogurt, dried fruit if I can find it, chocolate.

Also toilet paper, soap, paper towels, that sort of thing.

[mme-n-b.livejournal.com]

Well, you did ask, so here's what I just stocked up on (3-week supply for 6 people and 2 cats, above and beyond the regular earthquake emergency supply): Salt
Vitamins
Dry beans
Liquid soap
Conditioner
Avocado oil
Olive oil
Rice
Pasta
Dry parmezan (cheap kind that doesn't need to be refrigerated)
Dried tomato
Oatmeal
Boullion cubes
Boxed milk
Rubbing alcohol
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper
Cat food
Dry fruit
Cheerios
Coffee
Batteries
Plastic bags
Detergent
Rubber gloves
Paper towels
Napkins
Plastic wrap
Dishwasher detergent
Kitchen soap
Honey
Canned fruit
Toothpaste
Dayquil/Nyquil
Ibuprofen
Cat Litter

[conuly]

Thanks :)