Thoughts on the Pandemic

I hope all people of good will are holding up well during the pandemic. I am well. I chose a country outside of the USA in which to weather this pandemic. I am safe where I am. I work remotely for myself so this has not affected my work or income. I am sad for everyone that is out of work or facing danger by working with the public.

I am deeply concerned about the USA. I have a house in one of the countries currently experiencing extreme infection. Friends that I consider family are there suffering through this crisis. From what I've learned from them, the USA is about to experience a period that will stand as one of the worst disasters in US history. We should expect more Americans to die during the pandemic than all past American wars combined. They will be your mothers, fathers, sister, brothers, children, and/or friends. This is truly serious. Unfortunately, the federal government of the USA is currently lead by an incompetent man that is more concerned with being reelected and more concerned with his stock portfolio than he is with the lives of the American people for whom he is responsible.

I advise Americans to listen to their state governors for direction in this crisis. Choose information from state authorities over the baseless disinformation from the President of the United States. You need to stay at home as much as possible. Obey orders to stay in place. Ignore any orders from Trump to go back to work unless you work in an essential industry such as medical, pharmacological, groceries, medical device production, and maintaining order during the pandemic.

Donald Trump's desire to “reopen America” by Easter, if implemented, will be an unprecedented disaster. If such orders are giving, I strongly encourage a general strike – only not in the streets, but in the safety of your homes. Social distancing is key to slowing down the spread to a level that hospitals can process.

I have spent much time in the former republics of the USSR and my friends in those countries have shared with me their experiences with the collapse of the economy in the wake of the breakup of the USSR. I think their advice is good. If you have a yard or plot of land, take advantage of this spring season and plant vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, corn, and beans will be extremely useful. Learn how to can fruits and vegetables. When the food supply collapses, this will not only help put food on your plate, it will give you something valuable to trade with others for things you need. If you have sufficient land, consider constructing chicken coups and raising chickens, they are a good supply of protein. Also, eggs can be traded for other items.

Be prepared for the loss of utilities if the economic collapse is on the level of a depression. Instead of wasting money on toilet paper (you can always use newspaper instead), save up some candles, batteries, camping stoves and fuel, etc.  If the internet goes down, having a shortwave radio is very helpful for getting foreign news, which is often more reliable than local news.

If the government issues orders that will endanger the lives of Americans in favor of the stock market, resist! Refuse to cooperate! Stay at home and protect your life and the lives of your loved ones.

This is not a drill. It's real. Prepare reasonably, but don't hoard. The ability to make the things you need is more valuable than stocking more than you need.