I'm going to drop some actual info, because prepping for a virus is pretty much like prepping for every natural disaster with few differences. If you already live in parts of the country where it's tornado, blizzard, hurricane, ect prone, you should already have at least two weeks of non perishable food and water. I grew up in an area where a blizzard would trap you in the valley for months at a time with no electricity. We had to prep well in advance.
One gallon of water per person per day. If you wish to have water for bathing, you will need to increase your stock by at least two gallons per person, all together, three. The more water, the better, to be honest. You can survive for weeks without food, but a short time without water.
Store water in a dark, cool place. If storing tap water check them every six months. Distilled water will keep for much longer. Have the means to purify water too. You can buy filters and tablets in the camping section.
Canned food is usually still good for one year after the printed best by date. Tomato products are known for botulism so I tend to avoid storing those. Check your cans before eating. If there is a sharp dent, a bulge, or rust, discard the can. Botulism is a terrible way to die. If the food smells or tastes off, discard it. It's not worth the risk.
Foods that will store for a really goddamn time and are great for a stock pile-
-Honey. if it turns into crystals just warm it up and it'll be liquid again.
-Powdered m ilk, eggs, and butter
-Rice and dried beans
-Canned fruit, focus on citrus based like pineapple and oranges so you don't get the scurvy
-Dehydrated fruit, meat, and veggies can be bought and if stored in a dry dark place, will last a long time
-Canned meat. You will need that protein. Don't waste the water it's packed in either. Throw that shit in a soup
-Sugar, preferably raw unprocessed sugar. Can be found in the organic section or the baking isle
-Flour, unbleached. Throw that shit in everything and you can make ghetto ash cakes with it
-Spices, like salt, pepper, onion powder, whatever. You will go insane without spices. Trust me.
-Oatmeal, steel cut. You can get the flavored packets but they don't last as long as just plain ol' oatmeal
-Tang. It was good enough for the astronauts to keep the scurvy away. Teas, instant coffees, hot chocolate, and other drink mixes will bring you comfort and make things less bland.
-Cornmeal. It doesn't store for a long time so thus needs to be rotated out more, but goddamn is it nutritious and delicious
-Dried Pasta so you can throw that shit in soups
-You can also get those Mountain House camping freeze-dried foods, but they are very pricey unless buying in bulk.
-Comfort foods. Chocolate can store and last for a while. Be sure to store something that will give you a pick me up when feeling down.''
Having a little window garden of herbs like chives and basil can be awesome. Nothing beats fresh herbs. Garlic lasts a really long time and put that in lots of food cause it's delicious and boosts the immune system.
Soup tends to keep more nutrients and can be really soothing. For frying you can get those little bottles of extra virgin olive oil, just be sure to use it quickly once you open it. Don't just store MREs, they are designed to plug you up so you won't shit your pants on the battlefield or on a march. Eat those once in a while with plenty of water cause if you just eat nothing by MREs, you will be on the toilet sobbing for days at a time. A lot of preserved foods have sodium in them, keep hydrated to counter act this.
Be sure to have a means of cooking without relying on electricity or a generator. Camp stoves are fine as long as you store extra fuel. Of course have lights and a radio with extra batteries. If power goes out in winter be sure you have means of keeping warm. Nothing beats a nice good wood fire if you have the space to safely start one and not kill yourselves with carbon monoxide.
You will want to make sure you have plenty of house hold supplies, like toilet paper. Check your medicine cabinet and throw away any expired meds and replace them. Anti-diarrhea, pain killers, and disinfectant/bandages should be restocked first. You don't want to die from pooping to death, nor die from a cut on your finger. You can buy disposable body wipes and water-less shampoo/soap to keep clean. Filth breeds disease so keep clean.
If you have pets, be sure to stock enough food for them as well as budget a gallon of water a day.
Have a gun, cause when people get desperate they will try and steal your shit. NEVER TELL ANYONE that you have a stockpile. Keep it hidden if you can.
For viral outbreaks, you will want the typical sanitizers and face masks. Make sure to get goggles for your eyes cause your eyes are a mucus membrane. Plus people are fucking nasty and will sneeze right in your face. Wash hands often for 20 seconds at a time, and for fucks sake stop touching your face with your hands!
That's my advice for that and that's how I didn't freeze and starve to death as a kid!
Everyone in western PA already has a zombie contingency plan. Those are easily adaptable.
Can confirm.
