Originally posted on jessy.io.

March 1st.

There are many controversies on whether we should stock up on things, as some suggested it will cause unnecessary hoarding and public panic. Furthermore, officials do not recommend the usage of PPEs (personal protective equipment like masks and gloves), and advise the public to wash hands and don't touch their face to prevent getting infected. This is largely due to the lack of supplies for hospitals and the actual sick patients, not because these PPEs are not effective (when used properly).

Society also cannot afford a sudden panic and surge of the public purchasing products, as we have a "just-in-time" system, for almost everything - from grocery stores to medical resources.

Objectively speaking, therefore, is having the following items are better than not having them from the individual's perspective, but only buy things you need and try to be considerate of others.

• PPEs, or personal protective equipments, the full gear for hospital workers include (not recommended for average people): protective gowns/coveralls, ASTM level face masks and NIOSH N95 respirators (or other similar standards), gloves, goggles, face shields, and boots
• Allergen air filters (MERV 13+ or MPR 1900 rating, the higher the standards, the less pores and less breathable). The filters should not be made of fiberglass or be poisonous to breathe in - they can be used just as air filters or it's possible to make masks out of them.
• No better time to learn about self-defense tools :)
• Gas
• Some cash at hand (don't go crazy)

Feb 15: Costco shopping (no better time to splurge on food)

• Buy food that's shelf stable
  • We may see food shortages in the coming month not only due to panic hoarding but also shortages in global supply chain of seeds and pesticides for farmers in the Spring
• Buy food that you will normally eat anyway
• Buy in bulk = cheaper, less shopping and less public exposure and chance of cross-contamination
• Hand sanitizer, soap/hand wash (properly wash your hands for 20s and try not to touch your face!), laundry detergent, toilet paper, Clorox wipes, alcohol, gloves, water or water filters (I recommend Berkey water filter)
• Not a bad time to get into meal prep delivery serviced like Hello Fresh and meal replacement powders like Huel
• Buy medicines and vitamins you normally use; avoid going to pharmacies and hospitals further down the line. Wouldn't be a bad idea to grab some now, considering China's slowdown on production and exportation, and India's ban (one of the largest exporter of medicine) on 26 general drugs

Plant a garden + raise some chickens