I don't know why people didn't see this coming
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (120121)
United States
April 9, 2020 6:27pm CST
We had a major scare like 15 years ago with H5N1 (aka "bird flu") and that had a 70-80% mortality rate. I stocked up on non-perishables and household supplies back then and my ex laughed at me. Luckily we didn't need them and were able to use them over time before they went bad.
Have people not seen the movies Outbreak or Contagion? Have they ever taken a basic biology class in high school? I mean I took Virology in college but I teach about viruses, immunity, prevention, etc. in my first year high school level biology class.
The news of this virus became more public in January. (the Defense Department briefed Trump on it back in November but that is a whole other issue) It was a new virus. There were no tests. There was no vaccine or therapeutic. There was no research. Um HELLO? NO BRAINER. Things were about to get really serious really quickly.
I started stocking up on supplies (household and food) in early February. I am just one person (and 2 cats) but I did it little by little each week to fill the fridge, freezer, and cabinets. I am plenty stocked up, my parents bring me stuff every few days, and I have gloves and a face mask if I need to go out.
My uncle was complaining on FB this afternoon about the fact that grocery stores were out of almost everything. HELLO?!?!?! This has been going on for at least a month for *most* people finally realizing what was going on. Why did he not start stocking up then?
Too many people didn't take this seriously enough early enough.
13 people like this
8 responses
@Juliaacv (51588)
• Canada
10 Apr 20
We were lining up outside of the grocery stores and finding empty shelves back in January already here. There were no pasta on the shelves, canned goods, paper products, disposable diapers, sanitizer or liquid soap.
Realizing that South America is behind us, I stocked up on coffee today, since it comes from there.
2 people like this
@much2say (56057)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Apr 20
Not that I follow anything on the news that closely, but for some reason with that virus "traveling" to different areas of the world, that was my sign that something fierce could get here. I've always had a habit of stocking up anyway - so in that sense it's worked out well. I know some people back then were saying it was "just a flu" - and those people ended up not being prepared as much as they could have.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
15 Apr 20
The problem was that some people weren't getting the truth from the press, depending on where they were getting their news. It wasn't until the middle of March that Trump took this seriously and even today he's ready to "open the country" by or before May 1 which would be disastrous.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56057)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Apr 20
@anniepa I can't remember when or where I first heard about the virus, but I am sure it was all online from various sources (I'm often cross checking stuff and looking for people's opinions). I remember now that it was said to be prepared for a major disruption in our lives, in the US . . . that was alarming enough for me. This was well before the middle of March and I sure took it seriously. Unfortunately, some still do not take it seriously.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223773)
• Chile
10 Apr 20
I started stocking early too, although I never though it would last so long as what I think it will now. But I don´t have a lot of of places where to place the extra food. My freezer is full, but it isn´t too big. So sometimes I get depressed.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50528)
• United States
10 Apr 20
I’m glad that we live in a rural area so I always stay stocked. The stores are not near us.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
10 Apr 20
People have been lied to so many times, now it's hard to separate, what's true and what isn't. Just like the little boy, who cried 'wolf!' When that predictor was actually coming, nobody listened
It's the same thing we're dealing with, on public television. So much 'crap' is being stirred in, many don't believe the truth
It's the same thing we're dealing with, on public television. So much 'crap' is being stirred in, many don't believe the truth1 person likes this
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
10 Apr 20
It's the supply lines for the manufacturers of the basic things. They've gone to so much 'just-in-time' shipping that it's impossible. If you see flour, and you use it, buy it if you see it. Same thing with butter and eggs. It's crazy. And you're right, no one took it seriously enough. We're heading into a mighty recession once the virus calms down, and everything is going to have to restart.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181642)
• United States
10 Apr 20
Who knew or expected that the whole world would shut down?
