Way OT: what permanent life changes are YOU making now bc of COVID-19?
Not talking about the obvious near-term responsibilities of social distancing, etc to flatten the curve. I'm talking about stepping back and reassessing what you can do better. What selfish practice(s) should I re-think, as I try to love my neighbor rather than just myself? What can I do to be more prepared to be independent of the daily suck on the collective immediacy of our societal network for my mere existence, and thereby less of a contributor to the panic next time?
I'll start:
1) Building the garden I've long procrastinated about that can at least in part provide for my family and several others in need around us, if needed ... and if not needed, can help those generally in need. It's going to cost me about a grand, and the use of my children as conscripted labor while they're out of school. Makes healthy eating readily available, cheap and yummy ... for us and/or others around us.
2) Encouraging one small, commonsense bit of green living: investing in a Berkey water filtration system. Gravity fed, so very safe in a power crisis. Super effective in taking out pathogens, etc. Very 'green' compared to bottled water, and even compared to a Britta. A little bit of money up front ($300 or so), but incredibly cost-effective over time. Very easy to use. We've had one for ten years and it is a no-brainer, but very few people have heard about them or seriously considered them.
While it's understandable that we want to spend time blaming what part of the system broke down, etc, we can each immediately make permanent changes to impact our families and our communities. We can't all move Up North with XM, nor do I believe we should gut the workings of our largely urban/suburban civilization by wholesale changes, but we can all do this a bit smarter ... and we might share some good ideas with one another here.
So what are YOU doing?
Working more diligently to maintain a healthy immune system and reduce systemic inflammation. The virus doesn’t kill you, your own body’s response — cytokines, to be specific — are what ultimately does you in. In my conversations with a very close friend who is a gifted naturopath, and another who is a microbiologist, so many people (even in the developed world) are woefully deficient in the proper vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids required for healthy immune system function.
Selenium is perhaps the most important mineral. Along with all the vitamins, as well as the essential amino acid L-Lysine. Populations low in these are hit the hardest. Zinc, Folate, Iron are important as well.
I've been taking L-Lysine off and on for the last 4 months or so. I had shingles about 7 years ago. Thankfully they weren't painful; just extremely itchy. However at times of stress they threaten to come back. I get the beginnings of the same spine-deep itching that I had before. The Lysine beats it back into submission. I probably need to get the vaccination, but I know a couple people who have gotten it and it was 4-5 days of murder.
Shingrix is a not a live vaccine & has been available for a couple of years. 2 doses, at least 2 months apart. Just got the 1st dose a moth ago & experienced minor soreness at the injection site for a couple days.
I got chicken pox at the age of 30, so I couldn’t wait to get Shingrix when I hit 60. I hope healthcare providers are loosening up the age requirement given how nasty shingles can be. About 50% of people have a strong reaction to it and I was one of them. Felt like I had the flu for a day or so, but no issues with the second injection. So, if you plan on getting shingrix, plan for a day or two of feeling crappy after the first injection.
I eat a lot of Steak so I have the Jimmy Harbaugh seal of approval!
We already make / can / shoot / freeze / dry as much of our own food as we can. Last night was homemade beef soup with venison instead of beef, from homemade broth, homegrown taters. Most of the other veggies were from the store because my wife wanted them fresh. I think tonight is something with wild turkey breasts.
The one thing I realized is that I don't have nearly enough ammunition as I'd like to have.
Pay attention to the market. For about two months before I heard that Corona broke out in China I was hearing things about the market being overvalued (P/E ratio was at historic highs) and completely ignored it. Had someone suggest taking money out after the first crash and I went with the advice of "don't touch your 401k or your face" instead. I ended up taking a bunch of money out last Friday and saved a good portion of a years salary. I was going to take out more, but I didn't discuss it with my wife and she made me not take some out (losing a good portion of a years salary). 2008 worked out o.k. but I could have retired had I listened to my instincts at all back then.
Inverse ETF's allow us all to be our own hedge fund managers. Except it's more like being an owner that employs a manager to handle all the day to day activities.
After the first week of insanity, I exchanged all assets in my SEP brokerage account to a money market fund, except for the 1 inverse ETF I own. The gains have been proportionate to the market.
You have to be very careful with leveraged funds though, they are not for the long term.
97 deaths in two months is not going to make me change my habits. We have an average of 102 people die every single day in auto accidents, but everyone is still texting and driving like complete assholes.
I understand the virus is serious, but the number of US deaths do not equate to the hysteria that is taking place.
I agree with you but most people just reply with "give it time".....maybe, maybe not. I guess we'll see after two weeks.
I currently live a continent and an ocean away from my parents. So I'm thinking about changing that.
This post brought to you by Berkey Water Filtrations Systems.
Berkey - When you want a big jug of warm water on your counter.
LoL - I was waiting for this comment! No, I do not have any ties to them ... just a satisfied customer.
I’m going to assess keeping a bit more stocks of daily needs stuff. We’ve been empty nesters for a few years and haven’t needed many reserves with just the two of us. We cook a lot so empty shelves of pasta sauce doesn’t strike fear in our hearts. We’ll just need to do longer term (like two weeks) meal planning.
March 18th, 2020 at 12:56 AM ^
There is a quiet lull in the waters right now. The first fear has passed by and things seemingly went back to "normal" even though we are on an unprecedented self quarantine nationally. Just like a frog in water that is brought to a boil, we are being lulled back to sleep as things move forward.
The system is being slow crashed so that those in global power can try to keep things under as much control as possible. Once the next larger wave of fear comes, violence will break out in parts of the country and elsewhere that the now self-quarantine will become a hard lock down - and make no mistake, Trump will lock it down with authority here, that he is more than ready and willing to use. Two weeks of food isn't going to be enough and this storm isn't blowing over by April. Please consider doing more to help yourselves while there is still time to make those changes for your wellbeing.
I have zero fear about any of this because I've seen the writing in the Book. This stuff was written 2,500 years ago. Keep your eyes on the nation of Israel and Damascus, Syria. The fulfillment of Isaiah 17 (the destruction of Damascus) and the ensuing fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 & 39 (Russia and the pan-Islamic nations, sans Saudi Arabia, attacking Israel) may very well come before the end of Spring. Three elections in one year and still no government in Israel is as weak as they will ever be. The time is ripe for all of this to come to pass.
Finally, beware of a coming Fall time of year peace treaty with Israel and many nations that will ensue shortly after these two events happen. What we are seeing now will never compare to what will be after that. There is Hope and a Way for whosoever, but few will ever chose It. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. Choose well.
Adding a couple Mossberg 500s, another 1911, and an M1 Garand to my buy list.
And stocking up on some additional rounds.
Other than that, sound as a pound.
going forward, I'm drinking White Claws
Continuing to buy only American made products .... national security issue.
Support our leadership and different only constructive opinions. Call out identity politicans. Tell the truth. Honor Gods laws then the American constitution. Love it, support, or leave it.
I baked my first sourdough with a starter from a co-worker on self-isolation day 1. I think that may become a standard part of my life for the foreseeable future. Dang good bread.
The country is paralyzed with fear so that makes me appreciate my own mortality. Therefore, I am going to connect with my kids, hang out with my wife and play with my girlfriend far more often.....I think I have the verbs in the right order here.
March 18th, 2020 at 10:01 AM ^
Cool... I'll hang out with your wife when you're playing with your GF.
Buying a bidet.
No Changes. I plan to stay the self indulgent, lazy , do nothing but have fun retired guy.
Finding out how much being a plasma donor pays.
October 8th, 2020 at 11:27 AM ^
Good day! Oh, that is really great that you understood this. I agree with you and as for me, I made a capital renovation in my house. As for your thought about investing, it is very interesting, but I believe that it is enough just live carefully, not to create tons of trash and to use a home water filter that will give you an opportunity not to buy water. I decided about it when I was reading this detailed guide about such filtres. Thanks for your post, Bro