Newfoundland is finally beginning to recover from a massive snowstorm that prompted a state of emergency one week ago. With many roads completely covered and businesses unable to operate, residents were stuck in their homes for several days before the roads were cleared enough to go out..When the grocery stores opened up after four days, hundreds of people lined up around the block to get the food, medicine, and other essential supplies that they needed. Some items were carefully rationed to make sure there was enough for everyone..Meanwhile, Wuhan, China and surrounding communities are now on lockdown to stop the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. As of the time of writing, at least 41 people have died from the virus. With public transportation shut down, millions of people will have limited opportunities to replenish their own food stocks for the foreseeable future.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterEmpty shelves before Hurricane Lane in Honolulu, 2018 (Source: Daniel Ramirez, WikiCommons) .And now, in all likelihood, the disease may have already made its way to Canada. There have been confirmed cases in the United States, and several individuals in Canada are currently being monitored as potential carriers..We all like to think that such disasters will never happen to us, but how many people in Newfoundland and Wuhan thought the same thing? Too many of us think we can wait until a state of emergency is declared to suddenly do something about it. But if everyone else is buying up food and essentials in a panic, you may find the grocery store shelves are empty by the time you show up. The best time to prepare for an emergency is now, before any danger is apparent..Official government websites usually advise that you have the ability to take care of yourself for at least 72-hours in case emergency crews are not able to assist you before that time. The Government of Alberta, for example, advises that everyone prepare at least a 3-day supply of water (4 litres per person per day), 3-day supply of food for all family members and pets, a first-aid kit, flashlight, sanitation supplies, extra batteries, and more. For the full list, click here.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterSnow blowing across a road (Source: Ian Furst, WikiCommons) .Natural disasters have a funny way of bringing out both the best and worst of humanity. In Newfoundland, most people showed great patience and understanding for one another while waiting in long grocery lines. Several volunteered their time to help shovel driveways and walkways for the elderly, and some taxi drivers took people to the grocery store for free. Their spirit of charity is an inspiration. But we may not always be able to count on the kindness of strangers under desperate circumstances..Imagine how people in Wuhan, a city with a population of 11 million, will fare after a week or two of quarantine? What about a month? With limited transportation to bring supplies into the city and restrictions on residents going out into public to replenish their supplies, Wuhan is in a vulnerable situation. There is a real danger for those who have not prepared sufficient supplies to last the entire duration of the lockdown, and I shudder to think what will happen when they begin to run out..An earlier generation of Western Canadians grew at least a portion of their own food, processed that food for long-term storage, and kept a well-stocked pantry to get through hard times. But in today’s age of industrialized plenty, too many of us have gotten used to the convenience of going to the store or restaurants anytime we want, sometimes several times a week. We must consider what would happen if that entire supply chain (the highways, the delivery trucks, the stores themselves) was shut down for several days in a row, as it was in Newfoundland and now in Wuhan. A little bit of foresight could go a long way in mitigating such a crisis.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterIllustration of a pantry from 1892 (Source: WikiCommons) .Now is the time to check if you and your household are ready for an emergency. Massive natural disasters and epidemics may seem like science fiction, but it is the reality for millions of people at this very moment. This week’s headlines are a wake-up call to stock up your pantry and make a 72-hour emergency plan… while you still can.
Newfoundland is finally beginning to recover from a massive snowstorm that prompted a state of emergency one week ago. With many roads completely covered and businesses unable to operate, residents were stuck in their homes for several days before the roads were cleared enough to go out..When the grocery stores opened up after four days, hundreds of people lined up around the block to get the food, medicine, and other essential supplies that they needed. Some items were carefully rationed to make sure there was enough for everyone..Meanwhile, Wuhan, China and surrounding communities are now on lockdown to stop the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. As of the time of writing, at least 41 people have died from the virus. With public transportation shut down, millions of people will have limited opportunities to replenish their own food stocks for the foreseeable future.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterEmpty shelves before Hurricane Lane in Honolulu, 2018 (Source: Daniel Ramirez, WikiCommons) .And now, in all likelihood, the disease may have already made its way to Canada. There have been confirmed cases in the United States, and several individuals in Canada are currently being monitored as potential carriers..We all like to think that such disasters will never happen to us, but how many people in Newfoundland and Wuhan thought the same thing? Too many of us think we can wait until a state of emergency is declared to suddenly do something about it. But if everyone else is buying up food and essentials in a panic, you may find the grocery store shelves are empty by the time you show up. The best time to prepare for an emergency is now, before any danger is apparent..Official government websites usually advise that you have the ability to take care of yourself for at least 72-hours in case emergency crews are not able to assist you before that time. The Government of Alberta, for example, advises that everyone prepare at least a 3-day supply of water (4 litres per person per day), 3-day supply of food for all family members and pets, a first-aid kit, flashlight, sanitation supplies, extra batteries, and more. For the full list, click here.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterSnow blowing across a road (Source: Ian Furst, WikiCommons) .Natural disasters have a funny way of bringing out both the best and worst of humanity. In Newfoundland, most people showed great patience and understanding for one another while waiting in long grocery lines. Several volunteered their time to help shovel driveways and walkways for the elderly, and some taxi drivers took people to the grocery store for free. Their spirit of charity is an inspiration. But we may not always be able to count on the kindness of strangers under desperate circumstances..Imagine how people in Wuhan, a city with a population of 11 million, will fare after a week or two of quarantine? What about a month? With limited transportation to bring supplies into the city and restrictions on residents going out into public to replenish their supplies, Wuhan is in a vulnerable situation. There is a real danger for those who have not prepared sufficient supplies to last the entire duration of the lockdown, and I shudder to think what will happen when they begin to run out..An earlier generation of Western Canadians grew at least a portion of their own food, processed that food for long-term storage, and kept a well-stocked pantry to get through hard times. But in today’s age of industrialized plenty, too many of us have gotten used to the convenience of going to the store or restaurants anytime we want, sometimes several times a week. We must consider what would happen if that entire supply chain (the highways, the delivery trucks, the stores themselves) was shut down for several days in a row, as it was in Newfoundland and now in Wuhan. A little bit of foresight could go a long way in mitigating such a crisis.. FORBES: Be prepared for the next big disasterIllustration of a pantry from 1892 (Source: WikiCommons) .Now is the time to check if you and your household are ready for an emergency. Massive natural disasters and epidemics may seem like science fiction, but it is the reality for millions of people at this very moment. This week’s headlines are a wake-up call to stock up your pantry and make a 72-hour emergency plan… while you still can.