I think there may be more preppers out there than most people realize. And I may have missed a memo about paper towels.

I sporadically monitor some alt media sites and YouTube channels that fall somewhere along the preparedness/homesteading/prepper/survivalist spectrum. Sure, there are some real kooks out there, but lots of practical advice and DIY tips and hacks. And at times, collectively, a sort of early warning system. About a week before Coronapocolypse Fever swept the nation, a lot of these sources were all saying this coronavirus thing is going to be really big and a bunch of them suggested stocking up on PPE’s and toilet paper while you still can.

I happened to have a bit of extra cash on hand and went on a shopping run and stocked up. The worst that could have happened was that I’d have some extra TP in a downstairs closet. About ten days later, people were getting into fights over toilet paper. That got my attention.

And I still dabble in checking the sites for the occasional early warning. Maybe not often enough, I seem to have missed early talk of a paper towel shortage that’s going on. But about a week ago, I noticed several sites and YouTube channels started to talk about how to do laundry if the grid goes down. Granted, the grid hasn’t gone down, but I’ve notice that several of the items mentioned as useful in such a scenario (borax, washing soda, Fels-Naptha soap) now have empty shelf space where they used to be in stock.

A very unscientific sample size admittedly, but it suggests that there might be quite a few proto-preppers out there.

Coronavirus News, Analysis, Opinion, et cetera:

I get the sense that a lot of Americans think that a second round of lockdowns is not in the cards, but I wouldn’t be so sure. Australia’s restrictions on movement (especially Victoria in general and Melbourne in particular) are quite severe. The UK hasn’t called their new restrictions a lockdown, but they come close to being one in all but name. And Israel heads to a second lockdown as coronavirus cases soar, starting Friday.

A Lesson From the Pandemic on How Our Culture Infects Politics

Dakotas lead the nation in coronavirus growth as both states reject mask rules

Every COVID-19 Death Has Devastated a Family

QAnon spreads across globe, shadowing COVID-19

More workers hit with pay cuts than in last recession, and stagnant wages could linger

America Is Trapped in a Pandemic Spiral: As the U.S. heads toward the winter, the country is going round in circles, making the same conceptual errors that have plagued it since spring.

Here, then, are nine errors of intuition that still hamstring the U.S. pandemic response, and a glimpse at the future if they continue unchecked. The time to break free is now. Our pandemic summer is nearly over. Now come fall, the season of preparation, and winter, the season of survival. The U.S. must reset its mindset to accomplish both.

*Pixabay image (SeaReeds)

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