Preppers

I really have no idea what Biden plans to announce, but it's been hinted that it involves "mandates" and will affect the unvaccinated. Here are some things you can do today to prepare for any eventuality, and go to bed with peace of mind.

• Secure your housing situation. Living in an apartment isn't ideal. If you don't own your own home, ensure you have a back-up plan with a friend or family member who does and will let you stay there for an extended period. In a worst-case scenario, prepare to live in your car or in a tent.

• Have enough food for at least two weeks. This is security against losing your job, or if grocery stores begin to only accept vaccinated customers. Buy large bags of cheap calories such as rice and beans. Goya beans are recommended, but feel free to opt for a less expensive option if you can find it. Look up other examples of non-perishables you might like and stock up on some (e.g. pasta, rolled oats, brown sugar, potatoes, onions).

• Stock up on other essentials. Water (keep at least 4 gallons just in case), toilet paper, fuel for cooking or lighters, soap. You may also want to buy a water filter such as a Life Straw or one made for hiking/camping. Don't throw away bottles or buckets from now on; they may be useful for water storage or rainwater catchment. Buying seeds may also be a good idea.

• Have cash on hand. Go to the ATM and withdraw a few hundred dollars as an emergency fund. It's okay to spend cash, but don't dip into this fund without withdrawing more cash to cover it (if possible). This is in case credit cards start denying service.

• Fill your car(s) with gas. It's also a good idea to have another form of transportation on hand just in case, like a bike.

• Look up businesses in your area that provide essential services but aren't major chains. Large brand-name chains are more susceptible to implementing harsh mandates. Look into smaller mom-and-pop stores (including farmer's markets, food stalls, etc) that may provide food, employment, or other services without requiring proof of vaccination. Keep their addresses somewhere on paper.

• Consider your location and how you might leave it if necessary. If you live on a rural homestead, this may not be a concern. If you live in a city, however, you should have a plan for getting out and moving to a more amenable area.

• Start saving important information; don't depend on the Internet. If you see a useful page, click on your browser's menu bar, and then "Save Page". This will download the HTML file to your hard drive, and you can access the information whenever you like, even if the page is taken down. You may also consider buying a hard-copy guide with prepping and survival information; some stores sell these as magazines. (Though if you are deeply concerned about privacy you may want to forego this or use cash)

• Reach out to friends, family, and others who may be on the same wavelength as you. This doesn't have to be anything crazy; just establish friendly contact. If you're friendly enough that you know each other's addresses, you can reach out in case something goes wrong. If you don't know each other's addresses, agree on a central location to meet at on a certain date and time.