# 1161
In my last blog, A Personal Threat Assessment, I indicated that I was reasonably well prepared for a pandemic. That prompted a reader to ask the following question.
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Where can I get the most essential products like mask, gloves, etc.? How can I make sure I'm buying good quality products? Also, what kind of prescriptions should I get?
Good questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. Be warned, however, that all I can do is offer personal opinions on this subject.
First, where you elect to buy supplies will depend in large measure on where you live. My readership isn't confined the the United States, or even North America. At last check 4.5% of my visitors are from Asia and nearly 9% are from Europe.
Obviously, I can't suggest everyone run down to Walmart.
Masks and gloves can be purchased from a variety of places. Pharmacies will probably have them, although small stores will probably charge more for them than bigger chains. Home improvement stores, like Home Depot or Lowes, also carry these sorts of supplies.
Medical supply companies that specialize in these sorts of items may be able to undersell even the big box stores.
I've purchased locally, and in some cases, have ordered over the Internet. Recently I purchased 1000 vinyl exam gloves for about $35 from an Internet medical supply house, which is about half of what it would have cost to purchase them off the shelf at a discount store.
Latex or vinyl exam gloves are suitable for most needs. They needn't be sterile. These are to protect the wearer, not for surgery. I've bought 3 or 4 different brands, and frankly, haven't noticed much difference in quality.
Masks are a bit tougher than gloves.
First, there are many different types to choose from.
N95 respirators, which cost roughly a dollar apiece, are generally the most commonly recommended. Since they last only a couple of hours, and are disposable, these can be a big ticket expense. They are also bulky, and storage of a large quantity can be a bother.
Surgical masks are thought to provide very little protection, although they are much cheaper and more compact. These can be bought in bulk for about a nickel apiece.
Others have suggested the half-face respirators with replaceable filter canisters are the way to go.
Recognizing that masks are controversial, and even a properly worn N95 mask may not provide a great deal of protection, I've elected to go with a mixed supply of N95's and surgical masks. Here, more than with gloves, I tend to go with brand names I recognize.
The CDC maintains a listing of NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) approved disposable N95 masks here. Given the costs involved, before selecting a mask to purchase, this is a good place to do a little research.
For what it's worth, I will save my N95 masks for times when I believe I'm face to face with a potentially infected person. For general use, when around healthy appearing people, I'll probably use surgical masks. Most of the time, unless I'm within 10 feet of other people, I'll be going without.
This is a personal decision, and your mileage may vary. I'm just not as concerned as some people seem to be about wearing PPE's when there isn't an obvious point of infection. I certainly don't expect to routinely wear a mask in my home, or my car, or walking down an empty street.
I concede I may regret that decision at some point.
Alcohol gel hand sanitizer can be just about any brand, but to be effective, it should be at least 62% alcohol. Check the label.
Prescription medications can be divided into two categories. First, if you take any essential medications (blood pressure, heart, insulin, etc.) then it would be wise to try to obtain an emergency supply to cover you should there be disruptions in deliveries. Even an extra 30 day supply might prove invaluable during a crisis.
After Hurricane Katrina, many people had difficulty getting their Rx's refilled. In some cases, their drug stores were either gone, or were boarded up, with no one reporting for work.
Beyond that, you might want to consider having certain basic medications on-hand to deal with pandemic influenza. Many people have elected to stockpile their own Tamiflu, for instance, worried about the government's ability to actually deliver the antiviral during a crisis.
Personally, I don't think it's a bad idea, assuming you can get your doctor to write a prescription. Some doctors are very accommodating in this regard, while others simply won't consider it. Here is one of those cases where having a good relationship with your family physician can really pay off.
Having Tamiflu (or, even possibly Amantadine, an older antiviral) on hand could be lifesaving, as could having a good broad spectrum antibiotic. But you need to know when it is appropriate to use these drugs if you intend to have them on hand.
Admittedly, getting a prescription for these medicines will be easier in some countries than in others. In some places, you can walk into a pharmacy and purchase antibiotics and antivirals without a doctor's script.
When preparing for a pandemic, the easiest thing to do is ask yourself what you would do if . . . .
the grocery stores were closed, or the shelves empty for several weeks
the local drugstore was closed, or unable to get restocked for several weeks
your job requires you to be out in public, and with potentially infectious people
When you start asking yourself these questions, among others, you can start to see that having a full pantry, extra prescription meds, and even a supply of masks and gloves makes sense.
As to how much you will need?
Well, we won't know that until after the pandemic is over. A month's supply may be overkill for a mild pandemic, or it might not be nearly enough for a severe one. Your guess is as good as mine.
I've elected to try to have a 60 to 90 day supply of life's essentials. Food, water, medicine, and hygiene supplies.
There are many people who are stocking for a 6 month, or a 12 month event. Some people are even going beyond that. I accept they may be right, and I may be wrong. But I'm comfortable, right now, with a 90 day supply.
Everyone should have, at a minimum, a 2-week supply. A month is better, and two months better still. Sadly, most people don't even have the 2-week minimum recommended by the US government.
Getting prepared doesn't have to cost a fortune.
But being prepared can be priceless.
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