Will the prepper community become much more mainstream?

[I_Like_Turtles]

I predict it will! Just a few minutes ago I was re-arranging the cupboards to better organize the growing rows of SPAM, Vienna Sausage, canned fruit, and dried noodles along with calculating how long my father and I could go without going to the store.

Anyone here a pepper? Anyone wish they were one?

Do you think the pandemic will lead to more people prepping?

[dustnchips]

I wish people would quit prepping until this is over. If they would there would be plenty for all. Preppers prepare when times are normal by aquireing things a little at a time. Hoarders go out and try to buy everything in sight to keep others from getting their share. WAKE UP PEOPLE, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN, IT IS JUST HOARDERS BUYING WAY BEYOND THEIR NEEDS.

[I_Like_Turtles]

I wish people would quit prepping until this is over. If they would there would be plenty for all. Preppers prepare when times are normal by aquireing things a little at a time. Hoarders go out and try to buy everything in sight to keep others from getting their share. WAKE UP PEOPLE, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN, IT IS JUST HOARDERS BUYING WAY BEYOND THEIR NEEDS.

Well then they aren't "prepping" then are they? That definition would indicate they are "hoarding." :cool: People hoard because of ignorance and fear but they force others to stock up also or be without when stocks are depleted, such as we are seeing with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. That however will end, as stores and online outlets are finally doing the rationing they should have from the beginning.

Now the rationing may not be that accountable as only a photo ID check and logbook of purchases against address would prevent repeat buying by family members or that individual later in the day. I think Amazon is preventing it unless the person has multiple accounts. Out of curiosity I tested Amazon and the website would not allow a repeat purchase that day from my account. The local Krogers went to a rationing system (without ID check although the Kroger card might have caught it) quickly but not until the shelf was initially vacuumed of toilet paper. Today Krogers had signs out for most items that were rationed.

So anyone else? Do you think the prepping movement will become more mainstream? Will this pandemic leave a lasting impression on people like the Great Depression did on so many?

[DavidR]

People hoard because they fear we are being lied to and those who assure us that the supply chain will continue to function cannot guarantee it. It only takes a small number of hoarders to create a panic.

An example of being lied to: masks are useless so don’t buy masks. Well, we didn’t really mean that so everyone please start wearing masks.

[DavidR]

As far as the prepper movement becoming more mainstream? It depends. Some people will invariably be more prepared in the future but if we end up with no shortages other than toilet paper, once this is behind us, people will see no reason to remain prepared.

It's that way with hurricane preparation. The longer we go between storms the less prepared we are. After the 2004 and 2005 seasons where we had three hurricanes in Palm Beach County I religiously kept 20 gallons of gas on hand during storm season for my generator. I haven't been as diligent about that in recent years and before Irma in 2017(?) I was lucky to get 10 gallons when the madness began.

[Bawanna]

Things are already vastly improving here, I know a guy that's the meat manager at a Costco and he says sales are crazy but the shelves are no longer empty.
I haven't been in a store in a couple years probably but wife said most places had a limit, 1 package of this or that, my daughter could only buy 1 jar of spagetti sauce. But things around here are better already.
I think David nailed it, folks will stay a little better stocked, not prepper stocked but more on hand at least for awhile and then like history they will forget and be caught with their pants down next time.

[Armybrat]

We usually have a couple of months worth of supplies on hand all the time anyway, but am no prepper.

[jeepster09]

Well on the bright side of all....I am liking gas prices here!

[Bawanna]

I've often said if nobody bought gas for 2 or 3 days prices would hit the basement, I don't know exactly why the prices are down but maybe a surplus.
Our prices are no where near that low still 250 or 275 as I recall I usually don't even look, piss's me off. But much better than 450 or 475 like is has been or more.

I recall working at a service station in high school, all leaded then, unleaded was a brand new thing for Mazda rotories only. Checked oil, washed windows looked over tires etc 28 cents a gallon for regular and 32 cents for premium. And people drove off mad cause we were ripping them off. Boss was a tight wad, always 4 or 5 cents higher than anywhere else.

[DavidR]

Regular is well under $2 in South Florida. The Saudis were flooding the market before demand fell off from the virus. Perfect storm.

[Armybrat]

It’s an oil & gas war between the Russians & the Saudis, originally intended to destroy the US shale industry. This virus lockdown just finished it off.
Very hard time for The oil producing states. Y’all can thank that gottdamn KGB thug Putin.

[I_Like_Turtles]

It’s an oil & gas war between the Russians & the Saudis, originally intended to destroy the US shale industry. This virus lockdown just finished it off.
Very hard time for The oil producing states. Y’all can thank that gottdamn KGB thug Putin.

I don't think the US oil and gas industry will be harmed long-term as it's too important an industry. I also don't think the proxi war fought in Yemen is part of grand scheme but it could be. I do think Putin is another Stalin and he'll die in office, not retire from it.

America has simply been very weak for a very long time and its people have put dollars over national security. We'll see how it all plays out. In the meantime, I will enjoy cheaper gasoline when I fill up this week.

[JohnR]

Who remembers the '70s Dr. Pepper commercial?

"I'm a prepper, he's a prepper, she's a prepper, we're a prepper, wouldn't you like to be a prepper too?"

[yqtszhj]

Who remembers the '70s Dr. Pepper commercial?

"I'm a prepper, he's a prepper, she's a prepper, we're a prepper, wouldn't you like to be a prepper too?"

Hey, I remember that.

[340pd]

Common sense vs. prepping.
Having been in the paper industry, we always have a couple months supply of paper products. Add a freezer full of food, a 6000W generator, and oh ya, a firearm or two. Nothing serious, just to satisfy immediate needs.

[I_Like_Turtles]

I am continuing to build up a stock of long-term food while continuing to eat fresh foods. I buy what I can online to keep me from having to go to the store. I practice washing of all plastic products and quarantine cardboard/paper products for 3 days before allowing that into the cupboard.

I think we'll see more home gardens and more greenhouses out of this also.

I like the Dr. Pepper commercial. Funny.