Anyone unaware of the coronavirus situation taking place in a growing area of the world is obviously living in a cave. On second thought, perhaps that cave is a safer place to live.
Amid the declaration of the coronavirus now being on the level of a pandemic, there are still skeptics who suggest it is a hoax, even false news and are blaming continual media reports as being responsible for the panic buying of bottled water, face masks, hand-sanitizing wipes, non-perishable foodstuffs and bathroom tissue.
So far, as I write this week’s column, I have not seen a dedicated rush to stock up on essentials in the shopping areas supported by our household. That could change quickly as fellow shoppers write their shopping lists to be prepared should the virus appear in our city.
Our freezer is full so unless the power fails us, we will not starve. So what should we put on our shopping list?
It might sound odd but I think a few bags of barbecue briquettes is a priority, just in case the electricity suffers from the sharp teeth of squirrels. We have a one-burner hibachi stored in a garden shed. The hibachi hasn’t been used for years but we surely can master it again so we can prepare our meals outdoors without the fear of blowing ourselves up via lack of expertise in propane contraptions.
Bags of carrots will keep for a long time so carrots go on the list. Add some loaves of bread and a few bags of buns, tubs of margarine, a few jars of peanut butter, tins of soup and pork and beans, Kraft Dinner packages, cans of Spam and salmon and tinned fruits and vegetables.
A friend advised that some packages of powdered milk would be a wise choice because it lasts forever and would be needed to accompany the morning dish of cereal or oatmeal. I’ve seen strawberry-flavoured dry milk powder so while it would not likely go well with Sugar Pops or Corn Flakes, it might be a tasty beverage to relieve the monotony.
From the junk food aisle, we would likely bring home some packages of potato chips, in a variety of flavours. Add in some popcorn, Cheezies, mixed nuts, and a few chocolate bars.
Cough candies, deodorants, tooth paste, shaving cream, shampoo, personal hygiene items and bottles of vitamins will go on what is becoming a lengthy list.
Perhaps a second basket will be required, for we still haven’t estimated the amount of bathroom tissue we might require should we be told to stay home for a long period because of the virus.
We might consider two or three packages of 12 rolls each, three ply, if available.
Is it silly to consider stock-piling this essential item? Perhaps, but why be caught short, especially now that Eaton’s and Sears catalogues are no longer available as substitutes for the tissue.
I suggested in jest in a phone conversation that the three-ply tissue could be separated into single-ply sheets to stretch the supply on hand. The person on the other end of the phone line did not take kindly to my suggestion.
An inventory of our cupboards will be necessary before we head off to make our purchases. But we are taking the pandemic warnings seriously and do not consider any of the updates as hoaxes, nor are we about to blame media reports for causing unnecessary fear. Knowledge is golden.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
