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So. This is awkward.
Turns out preppers aren't so crazy afterall.
I mean, we ARE crazy, but good crazy, you know. Crazy smart and crazy tough and crazy calm. All the good types of crazy. Since this whole COVID-19 thing happened, we at Chilliprepper Central have been approached by numerous news agencies, bloggers, schools, friends and family to chat about what to do in this really unexpected situation. And at first, back in January, the reporters wanted to know what all of the crazy people were doing. Were we hoarding toilet paper? (No) Do we have a bunker? (No) Have we stocked up on chocolate and alcohol? (Maybe) And then as the situation developed, it stopped being crazy, and just started making good sense. |
Suddenly we weren't the crazy people, we were the voice of reason and calm in the chaos and the panic.
Here's the truth - Leaders don't panic.
One of the reasons we don't panic is because we know that we are leaders.
We are leaders in our community, leaders in our business, leaders in our schools, leaders in our home. Part of being a leader is taking responsibility for others, and having the forethought to think about, and prepare, systems into the future. Even if it makes you seem a little crazy.
We don't panic, we pivot. We take what happens and we change and adapt and grow.
Infact, the whole point of prepping is that we DON'T NEED TO PANIC. Panicking is what people do who are scared, desperate and powerless. If there is any universal truth to life, it is that whatever happens, life will go on and it doesn't matter whether it's a cyclone, a bushfire, aliens or a Zombie Virus - we've got this! You've got this!!
We are leaders in our community, leaders in our business, leaders in our schools, leaders in our home. Part of being a leader is taking responsibility for others, and having the forethought to think about, and prepare, systems into the future. Even if it makes you seem a little crazy.
We don't panic, we pivot. We take what happens and we change and adapt and grow.
Infact, the whole point of prepping is that we DON'T NEED TO PANIC. Panicking is what people do who are scared, desperate and powerless. If there is any universal truth to life, it is that whatever happens, life will go on and it doesn't matter whether it's a cyclone, a bushfire, aliens or a Zombie Virus - we've got this! You've got this!!
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1. COVID-19 is just a virus
The great thing about COVID-19 is that it is a virus - and viruses are great! Here's 3 reasons viruses make awesome enemies:
1. Viruses are weak and feeble. You can literally destroy them with soap and water and they only survive outside the body for a few minutes. 2. We can immunise against viruses While we don't have a cure yet, we probably will soon. 3. Viruses are just protein strands. They're not alive like bacteria, which means they aren't out to get us. Being scared of a virus is like being scared of the sun (because it causes cancer) or scared of cherry pips (because they contain cyanide). You don't live in fear of these things, you just take reasonable steps to avoid them. |
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2. This virus is spread by coughing
The fact that COVID-19 is a virus spread by coughing means that it is a straight forward easy enemy to avoid.
It's not spread via mosquitoes (like Malaria) and it's not a bacteria that hangs around for months (like the Black Plague). Really, it's just a short-lived protein strand that is mainly spread through people coughing on your face. The real problem is that culturally, Australians don't know how to avoid spreading coughs. It's painful but true. All this drama, all these lock downs, all the rules and regulations and bans - are not because the virus is impossible to contain. It's because people don't know how to self-distance and cough into their elbows, and we're too embarrassed to wear a face mask or self-isolate. It's reassuring to know that we are not dealing with a Zombie Virus, we are just dealing with a major inconvenience. |
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3. It's all in your head
The reality, is that the worse thing that has happened for most healthy people is that we have been asked to stay home.
That's it. Now I get it, solitary confinement is a legitimate form of torture. But it's not forever and it's just for now. When the government first declared a Global Viral Pandemic, I did the maths and I took my kids out of school. Not because I was worried they would get the virus, but just because its one less thing to worry about. Home is safe. Don't view staying home as a punishment, view it as a privilege, and if your home isn't a sanctuary, spend these weeks making it one. |
This won't last forever.
Despite all the fearful headlines declaring that this is around to stay forever, rest assured, this is just another blip in history.
Sure, it's painful and sad and full of grief. It's weird and strange and full of uncertainty. It's messy and awkward and lonely.
But it's temporary.
Everything is.
So our advice during these unprecedented times is don't panic. You've got this, and we'll help get you through.
Sure, it's painful and sad and full of grief. It's weird and strange and full of uncertainty. It's messy and awkward and lonely.
But it's temporary.
Everything is.
So our advice during these unprecedented times is don't panic. You've got this, and we'll help get you through.