There’s a lot of hope in the air right now, with summer sun and state-by-state reopenings lifting the national mood. But many public health experts believe we’re only in the second inning of a nine-inning game. It’s way too early to call this one.
Personally, I’m hoping for the best, but I’m not counting on things getting better. In fact, when people ask me how to prepare for what’s next, my advice is always the same: expect the worst, and plan accordingly. The pandemic has already brought us stress, uncertainty, shortages, and tension—so why not prepare for it to get even worse?
**Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst**
I don’t think we should rush into big changes just yet. There’s a good chance we’ll have most of the summer—and maybe part of the fall—before the next wave hits. But it’s smart to take stock of where you are now and what you’d need if things turn worse. Then, make a realistic plan to address those needs.
In my own case, here’s how I’m preparing:
- **Food**: I keep our food stores well stocked and am adding small livestock to our property. We're waiting for pigs that won’t arrive until December, but that’s okay—we’re not in a hurry. My kids are interested in rabbits, and we might add some meat rabbits soon. We’re also growing more of our own food.
- **Water**: We use well water and are planning to install a large storage tank near the well house. This will give us a backup water source if power goes out. Eventually, this will be easier than relying on a pond or creek.
- **Power**: We haven’t invested in solar before, but I’ll start looking into it this summer. Our land gives us space for an off-roof installation, which is cheaper and easier to maintain.
- **Education**: Since schools closed after spring break, we’ve been in emergency mode. Before the new school year starts, I’ll create a homeschool curriculum in case the situation changes again.
Yes, this list makes us look like full-blown preppers—but we’re okay with that.
Do I expect all of this to be necessary? I sure hope not. But I remember that week in November when I bought N95 masks just because they were on our list. A few days later, I felt like a nut putting them in my office so my wife wouldn’t see them. That’s the story of this pandemic for many of us: things that seemed crazy at the time turned out to be smart.
My dream is that my kids will go to college and tell their friends about how their dad went full doomer during the virus and ended up with pigs and a giant Water Tank. But hope isn’t a plan. I’d rather have these things and not need them than need them and not have them.
**Use the reopening to get your supplies in order**
Most of the steps I’m taking require open stores and a functioning economy. Right now, both are available, so I’m making the most of it. If I’ve used up anything in the last three months, I’m replacing it. If there are critical items I don’t have, I’m sourcing them now.
I’m also thinking about assets or commitments I might want to let go of before things get worse. Now’s the time to pass them on to someone who’s more optimistic.
**Don’t expect government to improve**
This isn’t the place to talk politics or blame any specific party or leader. Every government—from China to the U.S.—has made mistakes in its response. And those weaknesses won’t be fixed quickly enough to matter during this crisis. You’ll have to live with whatever system you have for the duration of this pandemic.
**Find the good in the new normal and double down**
Some parts of life under lockdown are actually working better for us. We’ve reconnected with people online, and we’re being more intentional about staying in touch. We’re also socializing more carefully, but more frequently than before. We’ve started homeschooling, and while we love our school, we’re making the most of it. We’re driving less, cooking more from scratch, and trying to live more intentionally. Even raising livestock, something we never thought we’d do, feels like a natural next step now.
**Conclusion: Plan, but don’t predict**
I don’t know what comes next, and I don’t need to. What matters is preparing now. The increased uncertainty means I’m leaning more toward “extreme†prepping than I would have before. Reality has gotten more unpredictable, and things we once thought unlikely have already happened.
So, I’m choosing to be surprised if things get better. That feels safer than being caught off guard if they get worse.
*Last week, in an interview for PBS’s “The Open Mind†podcast, I shared some advice I’ve been giving to friends, family, and media about how to prepare for the next phase of the pandemic. This is an expanded version of my personal perspective on what to do next.*
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