There’s a lot of hope in the air right now, fueled by warm summer days and the gradual return to normalcy across states. But many public health experts and epidemiologists are reminding us that we're still in the early innings of a long game. It's far too soon to think we've seen the worst or that things will just keep getting better.
Personally, I'm hoping for the best, but I'm not counting on it. When people ask me how to prepare for what's coming next, I always say: expect the challenges you've faced so far—stress from isolation, uncertainty, food shortages, water advisories, tension over mask policies, political divides, and strained relationships—to get much worse. Be ready for that.
**Hope for the best, but plan for the worst**
I don't recommend rushing into big changes just yet. There's a good chance we'll have most of the summer—and maybe even part of the fall—before the next wave hits (if there is one). But it's smart to take stock of where you are now and think about what you'd need if things do turn for the worse. Then, build a plan around those needs.
In my own case, this means preparing for the long haul:
- **Food**: I’m keeping our food stores well stocked and planning to add small livestock to our property. We’re waiting for pigs to arrive in December, and we’ve started raising rabbits. We’re also growing more of our own food and learning new skills.
- **Water**: We use well water, and I’m looking to install a large storage tank as a backup in case of power outages. This will be easier to manage than our current setup with a pond and creek.
- **Power**: While I haven’t invested in solar energy yet, I’ll start exploring options soon. Our land gives us space for a ground-mounted system, which is more cost-effective and easier to maintain.
- **Education**: With schools in limbo, I’m preparing a homeschooling curriculum for my kids in case they can’t return to school.
Yes, this looks like the “doomer†lifestyle, but I’m okay with that. I don’t expect to need all this, but I’d rather have it and not need it than the other way around.
I remember when I bought N95 masks just because they were on my list, and then felt silly unboxing them and hiding them from my wife. That moment felt nuts at the time—but it turned out to be smart.
This pandemic has been full of moments like that. What seemed extreme at first often proved to be wise.
My hope is that my kids will look back and laugh about how their dad turned into a prepper during the pandemic. But hope isn’t a plan. Better safe than sorry.
**Use the reopening to get your supplies in order**
Now is the time to stock up. Most of these preparations require access to stores and a functioning economy, and I’m taking advantage of that while I can.
If I’m missing something critical, I’m sourcing it now. If I’ve used anything in the last three months, I’m replacing it. And if I have any commitments I want to let go of before things get worse, now is the time to pass them along to someone more optimistic.
**Don’t expect government to improve quickly**
I won’t spend time blaming politicians or parties here. Everyone has made mistakes, and those weaknesses won’t be fixed in time to help us through this crisis. Whatever flaws exist in your government’s system, you’ll have to live with them for the duration.
**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 friends via Zoom, cut down on unnecessary driving, and learned to cook more from scratch. We’re also experimenting with homeschooling and raising animals—things we wouldn’t have tried otherwise.
We’re being intentional about keeping what works and improving it. This period has forced us to rethink our habits, and we’re embracing the change.
**Conclusion: Plan, but don’t predict**
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I don’t need one to start preparing. The uncertainty in every aspect of life is exactly why I’m pushing my prepping further than ever before. Things we once thought unlikely are now happening, and reality has gotten more extreme.
I can’t control whether things improve or worsen, but I can decide which outcome surprises me. Right now, I’m setting myself up to be surprised if things get better—not the other way around.
For more on practical prepping, check out *The Sane Prepper Mantra: Common sense rules for prepping*.
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