I'm seeing a lot of talk about PREPPING for social unrest next week. Are you prepping?

[Grasswire2]

Many people are stocking up on essentials, anticipating civil unrest no matter which way the election goes.

I am getting some batteries, making sure I have meds, and trying to think of a way to heat up a can of soup if electricity goes off.

[Sherman A1]

1. I try to stay prepared

And keep decent stocks on hand.

[comradebillyboy]

2. I'm not worried here in Albuquerque....

[duhneece]

18. I'm worried south of you

Alamogordo has so many supporters of “...the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat..”

[redstatebluegirl]

3. We have been keeping the pantry full since the Covid stuff started.

I make sure I have 60 days of meds, we have some extra cash, extra pet food etc. We could live easily for 60 days on what we have without having to go out. We would have to do without milk and other perishables, but we would be ok.

I would not say we are prepping for social unrest exactly, but we are being cautious.

[Grasswire2]

16. I laid in some powdered milk early in the pandemic, and I don't dislike it.

I expected to hate drinking it.

But it isn't bad at all, in a pinch.

[Totally Tunsie]

54. Parmalat has a 6-month shelf life.

Available in Fat Free, 1%, Lactose Free, and Whole Milk. These "shelf stable" milks (not to be confused with "stable genius) are a huge hit in European countries, although slower to catch on here.

Stays fresh longer! Here at Parmalat, we heat our milk at higher temperatures than regular pasteurized milk. This way, our milk stays fresh longer, and doesn't need to be refrigerated until opened. Bringing you quality milk since 1961. Did you know? Parmalat milk doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's opened, so you can keep one in the pantry. We heat our milk at an Ultra High Temperature (UHT) to keep it fresh longer. Tastes just like real milk, because it is real milk! Grade A milk. Questions or comments? 1-877-522-8254.

[womanofthehills]

88. Milk freezes well

I live in the country so I usually always keep some in the freezer. SeeIng some NM people on this thread. I moved from Albuquerque to the middle of the state. Near a very small town. Nothing will be happening out where I am.

[Kaleva]

4. I'm prepared for extended times of no electricity, water or essential services

but I've been that way for awhile and not because of possible unrest during and after the election. I was this way before COVID-19 was even heard of.

[Claustrum]

5. How is that different from preparing for COVID?

My house has been stocked since February.

[hlthe2b]

6. Between tornadoes, blizzards and COVID-19, I have loss of power handled, though it would be COLD!

I live in a fairly sane community so, I would hope to not see any craziness. That said, there are pockets of White Nationalist/NeoNazi and other extremeists throughout the west and Colorado is no exception. I do keep an eye on what SPLC has to say on them.

[madwivoter]

7. Mostly mental prep

Preparing for a long week, hoping it's decided on Tuesday.

We did our grocery run a little early, stocked up on cat food for the king of the house so he'll be all set in case we feel like we need to stay hunkered down for a while. We've been 'sheltered in place' for about 95% of the time since March, so nothing new there. Got batteries, candles, and a propane tank for our coleman camp stove in case we lose electricity.

We also grabbed some wine and a decent bottle of bubbly (the same kind we were fortunate enough to pop open in 2008).

[MoonlitKnight]

8. Might need some Vodka

But I have plenty of beer, wine, rum.... and Champagne.

[peggysue2]

27. Yes, that's all the prep I'm prepared to do

Wine, spiced rum and washing my 'break the glass ceiling' glasses for the election night results.

[CentralMass]

9. No.

[Tanuki]

10. No, I don't anticipate that kind of disruption. In any event I have plenty of everything I would

need in the "plague pantry" I have been keeping stocked since the pandemic began.

[Buckeyeblue]

11. No. I think it's a lot of noise.

[MagickMuffin]

12. Years ago we had our gas turned off due to a leak

We didn't have the funds to fix it, so, we went months without gas.

We have a gas stove. So, we used a bunsen burner and an electric wok.

Now I realize you mentioned the electricity going out, if you have a camping stove that would be helpful. I also get out my ice chests to put my food in so it does go bad.

Keep safe and Stay SANE!

[voteearlyvoteoften]

13. I ordered a pussy hat off eBay.

In case I need to go to DC in January.

[Rice4VP]

14. I live in the bluest part of Virginia and I

WFH. I’m not worried

[HipChick]

76. Me neither..

May hit up Costco and grab some chicken wings, burgers etc to grill up election night though...

[Hoyt]

15. No. And I live in a rube area.

[Amishman]

17. I live surrounded by trees and fields.

Deer don't wear MAGA hats. Deer are great neighbors.

[SWBTATTReg]

29. Deer are indeed great neighbors, as long as they don't nibble on the fruit trees, etc. too!

Sounds like you're in a slice of heaven where you're at, nice!

[MissB]

19. Nah. I'm always stocked up anyway

So it’s all good. It’s not like I go anywhere day to day anyway.

[CentralMass]

20. It looks like Portland is preparing.

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/elections/officials-prepare-for-possibility-of-post-election-destruction-and-violence/283-7e70ca72-8b2b-4b4b-a7f0-8b0e19e33202

[Siwsan]

21. I'm not worried about electric power outages. I am worried about Michigan's domestic terrorists

I hate driving - especially during Winter - so I usually stock up on non perishables, this time of the year, anyway. But I'm adding to my 'stash'.

I live in a very Blue district, and wonder if a trump* loss will draw the vermin in to our part of the county. I plan to be prepared to stay put until I know what's happening so when I leave the precinct I'll pick up some organic milk, and a few other perishables to get me through the following couple of weeks.

[Demsrule86]

22. No, I have confidence...this is just fear mongering.

[stillcool]

23. Trying to prep my mind for what might be...

but that's been a life-long endeavor. Never works.

[gypsonian]

24. Yes prep

Yes, you should prep for shortages in the next 4-6 weeks.

Listen to this guy.

I've been prepping for unrest since 2016 but will pick up a few things this weekend, paper towels, toilet paper, bottled water, and canned food. Not a lot but just a little to augment what I already have.

Just in case.

Peace,

DA

[Lars39]

38. Welcome to DU, gypsonian!

Beau’s great.

[gypsonian]

63. Thanks!

Thanks!

[panader0]

40. Welcome to DU!

[gypsonian]

64. Thank you

I am quite left-wing so I hadn't visited here in years but thought this year warranted it. lol

Thanks for the welcome!
DA

[peggysue2]

25. No!

Fear is the only weapon these weasels have left. Don't give into it, keep pushing forward and VOTE!

The VOTE is truly our superpower. The Trumpsters know this, feel in their gut and are grasping for straws.

We vote. He loses. He leaves.

Then the real work begins.

[Jirel]

35. Good thinking!

Got some quicklime and an alibi?

[dameatball]

28. I still have months worth of dried foods with 20-25 year shelf life that will probably last longer

than I will. As long as I can keep the well and septic running and the meds arriving I should be okay. Heck, I even have about four months of cat litter.

[BainsBane]

30. OMG

I hadn't even thought of stocking up.

[apcalc]

31. Prepping for another march. Damn right.

[kansasobama]

32. If Biden wins Florida, right wing social unrest will fizzle out

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

33. I think I have a few boxes of C-Rations in the basement somewhere.

And beer, and cigars. I'm ready.

I can even give some supplies away: I quit smoking, so cigars are available.

But, if shit meets fan, I'm lighting up.

[Jirel]

34. NOPE.

The only thing that is going to cause problems is all out civil war. While there is a miniscule chance that some boogaloo Nazis may try it and affect anything much beyond their immediate radius, the actual chance of serious conflict, power outages, etc. is near zero. In the vanishingly unlikely event that it happens, I won't be home heating up soup, but in the middle of that battle. So, no worries.

[doc03]

36. I am in a small community in Ohio nothing ever happens here. Biggest current news

the restaurant/bar has new owners and they remodeling it and paving the parking lot.

[GoCubsGo]

37. It's not "civil unrest" that I'm prepping for.

I think the "unrest" thing is overblown, however, I am making sure I have enough to allow me to hunker down for a month or so, when the pandemic really hits the fan, and it's unsafe to grocery shop. I'm already seeing empty shelves at the grocery store. I always try to take advantage of sales, etc., to keep a small stockpile in my pantry and freezer, in case of inclement weather. I always keep some bottled water on hand, because the infrastructure in my town is so shitty, and occasionally, a water line breaks, requiring a "boil water" order. I do need to stock up on batteries, but only because I don't have any on hand for a normal emergency.

As for heating up soup, a can of Sterno or a camp stove comes in handy. I have a small "Smokey Joe" Weber Kettle that works in a pinch. Usually, when the power goes out, it's due to ice storms, which in case, I just heat stuff up in the fireplace. Usually, I just keep around stuff that is fine to eat cold, like flavored tuna pouches.

[Grasswire2]

52. how can you heat a can of soup with a can of sterno?

Seriously asking.

And can you use sterno in the house?

[GoCubsGo]

53. Yes, you can use it inside.

Caterers use it all the time to keep their chafing dishes hot. Like everything with an open flame, you just have to be careful. As for heating a can of soup, you can buy stoves specifically made for use with Sterno. They are widely available, and come in many forms and prices. Or, you can rig up something, such as this, which looks to be made from a coffee can or a tomato can:

[Grasswire2]

56. thanks!

very useful also to boil water for coffee, if necessary

[GoCubsGo]

61. You're welcome, and thanks for the reminder.

I need to stock up on instant coffee and cocoa. Luckily, I have a gas water heater, so I still have hot water when the power goes out. I can still have hot coffee if I use instant.

[Kaleva]

83. One advantage of LP gas is that one can still cook if power goes out.

[2naSalit]

39. Going to the store to grab a few

extra essentials just in case, it's winter so I'm already mostly stocked up anyway. When you live 35 miles from town, you stock up on thing as a way of life.

[Caliman73]

41. We have supplies for earthquake.

Been double checking to make sure nothing is way expired. We live in a place that is unlikely to see any major unrest, but yes we are monitoring and getting ready just in case.

[NightWatcher]

43. I gotta go to the weed store and grocery store for Halloween fun

I'll just get double everything.

[tavernier]

45. Most of the dozens of ppl I talk to at work

have politics somewhere just below Polynesian belly dancing on their interest-ometer. There will be no social Armageddon.

[Totally Tunsie]

46. Here are some soups to eat cold in a pinch:

Last edited Thu Oct 29, 2020, 05:19 PM - Edit history (1)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51RWQR4HJSL._PIbundle-12,TopRight,0,0_AA500SH20_.jpg

https://www.markys.com/images/shop/product/9850/061516-gazpacho-salmorego-500-ml-17-oz--m30530-original.webp


I'm not expecting civil unrest in our area, but I'm well-stocked for COVID isolation, which can carry me through, no matter what. I keep the gas tank filled, cooked ahead so freezer is stocked with ready-to-eats, always have at least $500 cash on hand (some in $1s and $5s for delivery tip money), 1-2 months of meds, water and vodka in supply, and will have my acrylic nails refreshed tomorrow (good for a month). Have plenty of downsizing projects and reading to keep me busy.

[Klaralven]

47. I still have 5 pounds of rice and 10 pounds of pasta from the last time.

[Mariana]

48. I'm just doing my usual prepping for winter, so far.

Today it's raining and cold and I'm canning chili. Yum.

I have a propane camp stove for power outages. It's about 30 years old and still works like new. It is great for the morale when we lose electricity in the wintertime to be able to have hot meals and drinks.

[Midnight Writer]

49. I've got my soup cans stacked by the door, and a pile under my bed.

But what I really like is those little cat food cans. I can throw those better than a baseball.

[Grasswire2]

51. hahah!

Progresso cans are a little too big for THAT, yes. Campbells are just the right size.

I'll keep that in mind.

[phylny]

50. No.

I feel safe and can stay home for the foreseeable future.

[smirkymonkey]

55. No, but that does remind me that I need to order some groceries.

I'm running low on everything.

[Statistical]

57. Camp stove running on disposable propane bottle is a good backup cooking source.

You don't need some fancy ultra lightweight backpacker stove that runs on butane or kerosene. Just a cheapo propane camping stove works fine.



Good for hurricane prep kit if you live in a hurricane area as well.

[Grasswire2]

60. good old coleman stove

But it's more than I will ever need for making coffee and heating soup.

[maxsolomon]

58. I prepped some champagne for Tuesday night.

The idea that there will be widespread rioting that affects power, fuel and food supplies is absurd.

America doesn't do unrest like that. To scattered, physically and mentally.

He's going to lose and that will be the end of it.

[GoCubsGo]

62. I have a bottle of Prosecco waiting for a special occasion.

Hoping I'll be able to crack it open Tuesday night.

I agree about the violence. There might be a few scattered assholes, but nothing widespread, or to a point where it affects the power grid. Of course, there's always Russian ratfuckery...

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

59. No, what would I do anyhow?

I'm planning on working and helping my kid with remote school again.

[Turin_C3PO]

65. I'm stocked fairly well.

But I don’t expect there to be widespread disturbances. Most people, especially Trumpets, are not brave/stupid enough to risk their job, family, etc. to fight and/or die for Donald Trump. I do expect there to be some scattered right wing terrorists attacks, which will be terrible but not enough to affect the power grid or our country‘s overall stability.

[hunter]

67. The gun toting flag waving Trump supporters you see around...

... will be sneaking out of town in the middle of the night to dump their red hats and Trump signs in distant back road ditches.

"Nope, you must be mistaking me for someone else," they'll say. "I NEVER supported Trump."

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

68. Always prepped.

I'm retired, and have all kinds of practical, nifty camping gadgets.

If Trump doesn't lock the borders down right away, in order to prevent us from leaving the country....

....hasta la vista, baby!

[cwydro]

69. Get a Coleman stove, but remember use it outside, not inside.

I’m not worried about unrest though.

[Grasswire2]

71. I found a little tabletop hibachi on amazon that can use sterno.

I think that might be a good option. Space is limited. I'm having to stack victuals under my desk and in a tub on the porch. Haha.

[cwydro]

80. Excellent!

I lived in hurricane land for so many years, I became adept at any sort of measure to make coffee.

Coffee always first lol. Then I could get on with the rest.

[Kaleva]

82. I have a gas stove and use LP gas.

Using a log lighter, I can use the burners on the stove top to cook if need be.

[moonscape]

85. I'm bad. On the rare

occasions I’ve needed to use a Coleman during a power outage, I've used it indoors. But briefly! And carefully! Is that really frighteningly terrible? Please say no ...

[NutmegYankee]

90. No.

Unlike internal combustion Engines, a gas stove is very clean and produces negligible CO gas. In normal cooking, the amount won’t even register on a CO detector. I’ve tested this with a hand held CO gas detector.

The danger is running the gas appliance for long periods of time in a sealed up room - as the oxygen level drops CO production increases. Many “ventless” heating appliances are designed to shutdown if they detect low O2.

Basic rule is never run these while sleeping and crack a window for safety.

[moonscape]

91. Whew, thanks! n/t

[littleredhen]

70. I bought a bidet attachment...

Best idea ever. No more being worried about paper products running out at the store, lol.

I have been prepping since this started as in being more prepared to have food shortages. Nothing last minute, just kept buying canned products and dried beans to keep on hand. The beans and rice are each sealed in a ziplock bag in case one goes bad so they won't all go. We will eat them eventually.

[Meowmee]

73. How do you like the bidet?

I have been thinking about it but I am worried about it splashing water all over etc.

[littleredhen]

81. We LOVE it.

Once we tried it we suddenly realized we had been uncivilized heathens before with an unclean booty, lol.

Seriously, it's great. You are covering the seat, so no splashing across the room and it hits the target My husband did try it out empty the first time when he was putting it on and it shot straight onto my shirt about 6 feet away.

I got the Luxe Neo185 on Amazon with 2 nozzles at slightly different angles for right at $44 and it took my husband about 10 minutes to put it on. My son got the Luxe Neo 120... same brand, but only 1 nozzle for less than $32. Both have a shield to keep the nozzles clean and a cleaning setting. Seriously will not go without this. We still blot the water off, but it is a HUGE savings on paper products

[Meowmee]

95. Thanks!

I am going to look those up... it has to be self cleaning too. I will have to get a plumber because I am hopeless at that but we need a new faucet as well anyway. That is great you like it so much, lol on the cleanliness I think I will like it too hopefully... Some of them are very advanced I noticed with lights, heated seats and auto shut lids etc.

[Kaleva]

84. Here's a post I made back in March

Thanks to COVID-19, I now have a couple of bidets in the home

[littleredhen]

87. Hilarious!

You probably saved a lot of trees with that post. I think it's my best prepper choice though.

[Meowmee]

72. No

I am still stocked up for us due to the pandemic and right now I am dealing with multiple family & repair issues, teaching online, and feeling pretty ill from the flu shot. And I still have to vote on Tuesday. I hope there will be nothing major of course, really I don’t expect it.

[cmf]

74. Been prepping before Covid

I live in earthquake country, so we've always been good at keeping 2+ weeks of supplies on hand in case the big one hits. My town is pretty wealthy and monoculture, so I don't expect a lot of unrest in my immediate neighborhood regardless of which way the election swings. However if it does hit the fan, either with the election or Covid, I'll be prepared.

For heating up soup - we have an old fondue set that uses denatured alcohol for heat. Has worked great for us during power outages. If you get a chance to get your hands on one of these, I highly recommend!

[Grasswire2]

79. I looked for a fondue pot!

The new ones are evidently considered trendy, and seemed expensive. I remember the old reliable ones from the 60s, I guess, that were in thrift shops as discards. Not now.

I found a little tabletop hibachi on amazon and it uses sterno.

But I will continue to look for a vintage fondue pot when out and about.

[essme]

86. Fondue pot

We have one from the seventies that I use to cook on when the power goes out. But! You can also buy an old fashioned percolator to go on the stand. Little camping pots and pans fit on it also.

Before a storm, I always go ahead and do laundry, run the dishwasher- and make things that can easily heat up: split pea soup, scrambled tofu, etc.

For cheap lighting, I pull off the tops of the solar lights in the yard. I bring them in about sundown and they light up the house pretty well-

[Grasswire2]

89. GENIUS

I never thought of solar yard lights for this. I wonder if they have them at the dollar store.

Got any more hints?

[essme]

96. Oh yes, they have them at the dollar tree!

The dollar tree also has little "candles." I get the tall ones that run off a "C" battery. These I put on the stairs- and in the bathrooms.

We also have a solar charger for our phones, and I am trying to find one for our laptops. They work on hotspots too. Companies sell wind up and solar radios--- we have one, and it's so much fun finding the classic rock channel!

[Grasswire2]

97. An uncle sent me a portable generator about the size of a car battery...

....and a USB chargeable lantern.

I haven't figured out how to use the generator yet, and need to do so.

[cbdo2007]

75. I am down to my last 80 rolls of toilet paper. Then will have to use paper towels.

[roamer65]

78. It is Dump that should be prepping.

The WH aid gonna be surrounded by protesters if he pulls any crap.

[pfitz59]

92. Bought some joints at the pot shop

Going to the liquor store tomorrow

[avebury]

93. I think one thing that Oklahomans will

get behind no matter what political party they belong to is do not mess with our electricity. Hundreds of thousands lost it during the ice storm. As people are brought back on line, no one would take kindly to losing it again.

Other then that, I am pretty well prepared. I really hope it remains calm because I'm don't have the option to stay home next week. I have jury duty starting on Monday.

For the weekend, it is all about storm cleanup. I was lucky enough to get some great help, hopefully more today so that is going well.

[greytdemocrat]

94. No

Not other than the usual supplies
I have on hand like bottled water.