I had a typical prepping conversation...

with the nurse who was here today to treat my legs.  I asked her if she had heard anything new about the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Her response was that it was nothing to worry about.  So, because I just couldn't help myself, I asked her what would she do if it is real and if it spread and if quarantines were put into effect.  Could she feed her family for a minimum of two weeks on what she had in her pantry?  She said it didn't matter because she could just get whatever she needed at the store.  So I asked her what would she do if quarantines kept the delivery trucks out of the quarantine areas.  And her answer was sadly typical - "Oh, that will never happen here."

I have had similar conversations over the years.  I am done.

What prompted my conversation with the nurse was an email I received today from my best source of information.  The following was published by the American Trucking Association.  There could be any number of reasons for the trucks to stop running, but right now the threat of the virus spreading, quarantines being put into effect and trucks being kept out of the quarantined areas is what is on the minds of many.  Here is what I found in my friend's email.

"When Trucks Stop, America Stops
A Timeline Showing the Deterioration of Major Industries Following a Truck Stopage

The first 24 hours:
*Delivery of medical supplies to the affected area will cease.
*Hospitals will run out of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters within hours.
*Radiopharmaceuticals will deteriorate and become unusable.
*Service Stations will begin to run out of fuel.
*Manufacturers using just-in-time manufacturing will develop component shortages.
*U.S. mail and other package delivery will cease.

Within one day:
*Food shortages will begin to develop.
*Automobile fuel availability and delivery will dwindle, leading to sky-rocketing prices and long lines at the gas pumps.
*Without manufacturing components and trucks for product delivery, assembly lines will shut down putting thousands out of work.

Within two to three days:
*Food shortages will escalate, especially in the face of hoarding and consumer panic.
*Supplies of essentials - such as bottled water, powdered milk, and canned meat - at major retailers will disappear.
*ATM's will run out of cash and banks will be unable to process transactions.
*Service stations will completely run out of fuel for autos and trucks.
*Garbage will start piling up in urban and suburban areas.
*Container ships will sit idle in ports and rail transport will be disrupted, eventually coming to a standstill.

Within a week:
*Automobile travel will cease due to the lack of fuel.  Without autos and busses, many people will not be able to get to work, shop for groceries, or access medical care.

Within two weeks:
*The nation's clean water supply will begin to run dry.

Within four weeks:
*The nation will exhaust its clean water supply and water will be safe for drinking only after boiling.  As a result gastrointestinal illness will increase, further taxing an already weakened health care system.

This timeline presents only the primary effects of a freeze on truck travel.  Secondary effects must be considered as well, such as inability to maintain tellecommunications service, reduced law enforcement, increased crime, increased illness and injury, higher death rates, and likely, civil unrest."

The full report can be viewed Here.

I'm not saying this virus is going to turn into a pandemic.  But what if....