Decoding#040: Understanding the Unprecedented Times

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Navneet

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Hey reader,

2020 is a special year. We may have different views about it but it is special. Few of my friends want it to just get over, or if they can restart it, so they can get over it and never talk about it again. Some think of it as a learning. Some people also believe that it is a mirror to us, humans, of what all good and bad we have been doing to the planet.

But in my view, I feel very grateful for the year 2020. We may agree or disagree, but this year has taught us already a lot. We have seen the wildfires (and then forgot it), we are facing a pandemic (and will someday forget about it too), frequent earthquakes, cyclones, gas leaks, chemical spills, fires, pests attack, protests and agitations, economic slowdown, and what not., and all this within 6 months. We have seen people losing their loved ones and also communities winning through all of this as well. But in all these, we can not deny the fact that we came out of our normal comfort zone, and created a new normal routine all by default. This is what the evolution is, we evolved from one way of life into another without actually knowing it and we will again evolve when the things get better. This is what makes us great creatures and different from any other living being. So, I am grateful to 2020 for making us realise that we are mutable. No matter how much we say about ourselves that we can’t change our lifestyle, but if time will come, we will adapt the changes with time.

Also, 2020 is special, because it has actually shown us the mirror, and have raised the very fundamental question, how prepared are we in the wake of an unprecedented event? Though indeed, we can’t be prepared for everything, it should not stop us from even trying what we can really do. Preparation is one part, and another part is about Actions during the event. How we act and react to the event and news around it is something that we should be actually concerned of.

Patience is the key, in any situation, we all know it, but we need to learn how to experience it. Talking about the latest example from the pandemic only, we all have seen that the cases have risen up at different pace at different intervals of time, and comparisons between different environments like lockdown-unlock, etc. We all acknowledged and appreciated the work done by healthcare workers, doctors, staff, police and everyone. But we should also acknowledge that the Government officials, the bureaucracy, and to the smallest level like the drivers of the Govt officials., they all also have taken the risk and duly discharged their duties. Just like a doctor can not save each and every life, and later other doctors can discuss and debate about what all things he could have done or not done, similarly, the Governments can not do everything with the perfection. There will be few faults, few drawbacks, loss of lives, but for Govt. all the media and political parties and activists will come at the front to debate, counter and criticise Govt. decisions. We should be a little calm, patient and for a break, be thankful to the Government as well, for all of their actions, and taking the risk to save the billions of life. So, here is my thanks to each and every Government official who has been working tirelessly. Thank You <3 <3 <3

During all these events that (fortunately or unfortunately) happened through this year, one day I had this thought that how can we actually face these events? What is the preparation that we should do? So, in this blog, I am going to talk and share about the much-needed preparation and readiness to face-off any unprecedented event.

At first, I thought it would be mainly around the basic guidelines. But when I explored a little, I found the basic isn’t just too basic, and also it’s not just the event but also about the before and the aftermath. This includes a list of things to be prepared of that I am going to talk about, like the Emergency Kit (No its not a basic first aid box), groceries stock, parallel income sources, control over expenses, and many more. Adding to it, I will be sharing some information about a variety of incidents (be it natural or manmade). It may miss a few important things, so feel free to add your views and suggestions. Just a note for you, my primary goal of especially this blog, is to create it like an SOS plan (trying to) for any event, which means a single point of source for everything. Be it any event, one can find something for it here. The reason behind it is, in most of these events, one will be always short of time. And in that short time, it is better to access one page, rather than redirecting here or there. So, I have tried to collect information about different events like the checklist or guidelines and have attached here. You can click and download them anytime.

1. Most Importantly – Emergency Kit

Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry (sort of duffle bag) emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:
  1. Water: 3-4 Ltrs. per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  2. Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  3. Flashlight
  4. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  5. Extra batteries
  6. Deluxe family first aid kit
  7. Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
  8. Multi-purpose tool
  9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  10. Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, bank passbook/chequebook, identity cards)
  11. Cell phone with chargers and power banks
  12. Family and emergency contact information
  13. Extra cash
  14. Emergency blanket
  15. Map(s) of the area

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

  1. Whistle
  2. N95 or surgical masks
  3. Matches
  4. Rain gear (Raincoats/umbrella)
  5. Towels
  6. Work gloves (Rubber gloves and shoes)
  7. Tools/supplies for securing your home
  8. Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
  9. Plastic sheeting
  10. Duct tape
  11. Scissors
  12. Household liquid bleach
  13. Entertainment items (magazines, books, artbook with pens/pencils)
  14. Blankets or sleeping bags[Source]

A checklist: ready_emergency-supply-kit-checklist

2. Groceries Stock

One thing, that was very common, and hence I believe it as a part of human nature, is panic stocking. Earlier, we use to watch in the news that whenever the Petrol(Gasoline) is getting a hike, and in the following minutes, we can see huge lines at the petrol pump. Similar things happened in Pandemic. Lockdown was the only solution for the Govt. across the globe to prepare for the pandemic, and with that came the problem of panic buying of groceries. At first, I thought that it is impatience. But then, news came that few who are called as the smartest minds on the planet were keeping the groceries stockpiled up for months years before the pandemic arrived [Source].

It’s very important to have the proper diet to stay healthy with proper exercise (physically and mentally) and that couldn’t happen with an empty stomach. When the future is uncertain, no one knows how long will the lockdown remain. My mother use to tell how my grandfather use to teach her, to keep the groceries to keep the groceries stock ready for up to 3 months of your family needs. Again, we can not control the unprecedented events, but we can try to be prepared.

3. Parallel Income

With each unfortunate and unprecedented event, one thing that will always come along is the recession. Be it a war, earthquakes, tsunami, pandemics, or any such event. Professions will be affected. Source of income will be impacted. These events will come and go, but the following economic impact will stay longer. Hence, to be prepared for it is the utmost thing. One of the ways to prepare for it is, to find out a parallel source of income. If possible, something that is not dependent on any organisation. It can be freelancing, or group project or even a local shop, but having a parallel source of income will not only help in tough days but will also allow feeling secure in normal life.

4. Infodemic

As I mentioned in my one of the previous blogs: Decoding#035: Understanding Continuity, too much of anything is always dangerous, so is the information about the pandemic/unprecedented times. Too much information or too much of news updates is what the world calls infodemic. We need to avoid this infodemic as much as we avoid pandemic. Watching the news for 20-30 minutes is sufficient in a day, so avoid too much watching of news and too many health updates.

Well, that’s about what can you do right now, but whenever a natural or man-made calamity occurs, it doesn’t always give us that much of the time to react. So, it all comes to those millisecond decisions. Now, next what we are going to talk about is what can you do to make those millisecond decisions correct, i.e. what are those do’s and don’ts in different types of events. For few, I have added text, and for others, you can find a link to document which can give you all the necessary information in time of urgency. You can keep a copy of all these documents in your emergency kit.
[If you want to download, you can simply click on them (say, Earthquake) and it will open the document for you. If you want, you can share your email on Contact Us, and I can share a copy of all over Email]

  • Medical Emergency (Heart Attack, Drown Cases, etc):
    1. Check the immediate area for signs of danger and remove or control it (if safe to do so) to avoid further risk to the casualty and yourself.
    2. Do not move a casualty unless they are exposed to a life-threatening situation.
    3. If required, contact the ambulance service. If you are unsure if an ambulance is required, call Emergency Number of your country (112 for India, 911 for the US) and they will advise you.
    4. Remain with the casualty and administer first aid (if trained to do so) until assistance arrives.
    5. Follow the instructions of relevant Emergency Services personnel or First Aid personnel.
    6. Remember DRS ABCD of first aid:

I hope that the information shared above is useful. Please feel free to share your views and suggestions or if you would like to add something.

– Navneet

What’s your thought about it?

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