I think the utilities will all be back on line between waves, but I don't think consumer goods will all be readily available. And prices will be out of sight.
Don't count on gasoline being available between waves.
Don't count on anything going back to normal in the short span of time between waves of death.
Which means you might need a bicycle...and a bike trailer...and a good lock for both.
And if you can afford it, buy 2 bikes.
The church rummage sales have used bikes cheap...$10-$20.
I bought 4 old bikes this summer and 1 used bike trailer. (It hauls 125 lbs.)
And an old rusty bike will be less likely to be stolen, and it will get you where you are going just the same.
And be sure to have extra tires and tubes and a pump for the bike, reflectors and a light if you are going out at night, and a basket,and lubricating oil, and bike tools, & a helmet. And an instruction booklet on how to keep a bike in repair. (It might get a lot more use than we think.)
Taking a friend or 2 along is best, so one or 2 can watch the bikes while the other is shopping.
And ponchos are needed for biking in rainy weather...and wool hunting socks if the weather is cold. And waterproof boots and clothing if walking or biking in the rain.
I have an old folding grocery cart in the event I am left without any wheels.
I am slowly accumulating these items...
I am an experienced gardener. I plan on growing mostly root crops, as foragers will most likely raid gardens and pick the beans, tomatoes, squash, etc. But I doubt they will bring a shovel and do any digging..
And I will not plant in rows. I will scatter the plants all together, which will make it look like a weed infestation, more than a well planned garden. So I hope this discourages some thieves. If you are visible from the road, finish your gardening before 7 AM. This is when a lot of folks get up.
And I will pick tomatoes as soon as they get a little yellow on them, as they will ripen indoors. My neighbor had all her red tomatoes stolen this year, 1 by 1, by another neighbor & her daughter.
Grow beets. You can eat the greens. They are very nutritious & good in soups.
I have a large supply of seeds from last year, and plan on buying many packages for giving to the neighbors, should we get a pandemic soon.
I don't think seeds will be available. Seeds 1 or 2 years old will germinate, not all, but most. Lock up your shovels & gardening equipment indoors. They will be stolen.
Most old folks can garden very well, but you might have to turn over the soil and do some planting for them.
And if you can, buy food and other consumer goods NOW.
Food and other supplies will be very expensive after each wave, especially if the un-prepped now start hoarding. I fugure prices will go up as much as 500% during a pandemic. And most items will not be available. Rationing might be the norm.
And there may not be supplies of everything, such as shoes, clothing, batteries, or any other imported item you really need more of. Many of our items are imported, and their reappearance on store shelves is dependant on overseas factories getting back in business again. This may be impossible for many in a short span of time. And some ports may not be operational.
So buy now.
Find out where all the pick-your-own farms are in your area, and get your canning supplies (and books) now.
http://www.pickyourown.org/
(There are a lot more farms than are listed in these websites)
If you have neglected your fruit trees, buy fruit tree spray and fertilizer for them, and get them back into production.
And plant trees, berries, etc. now. It just may be that this pandemic may not get started for a while, which allow your plants to get into production in time.
http://www.starkbros.com/index.jsp
And have a yard sale now. Luxury items will have very little value during and after a pandemic. Turn those unwanted items into cash for preps.
- but there's so much covered already- I think you've all nailed much of what we need to consider. Great job!
