Hello fiends!
Aton Edwards is the Executive Director of the International Preparation Network, which was founded in the early 1990s. He has devoted his life to teaching people the skills they need to survive a changing world. Aton wrote Preparedness Now! for our Process Self-Reliance imprint. He is currently working on Afroprep NOW! 7 Steps to Surviving Climate Change, Disasters, and Racists in a World that’s Trying to Kill You, which is slated for publication in Fall of 2020.
Aton and I discuss the coronavirus and covid-19 and the reality of what we can to protect ourselves and our families.
If you're part of the Feral Family—and if you're reading/listening to this, then we consider you consider you part of the Family—you are familiar with both Adam's interest in historic back-to-land movements as well as modern preparedness skills. And by now, you've heard that I'm both a Stoic and the Master Food Preserver for my region; this means I'm well-versed in how to both preserve food and prevent pathogenic infestation. That being said, a few additional items I want to share with you.
Our Self-Reliance Series is rooted in the idea that experts share their practical and useable skills. They are not "prepper-porn" books filled with deluxe bomb shelters and wasted resources. Preparedness Now! by Aton and Preservation—The Art and Science of Canning, Fermentation, and Dehydration by me are about a mindset and skillset that can be used to add value to your life every day as well as build resilience in tough situations. Preparing for the future is something that should be done all the time and not when the "bad thing" happens.
The second item I want to stress, and I know that Feral folks aren't indulging in the weak-minded panic thinking that has currently taken hold in the United States, is that things like new pathogens and weather-related disasters are increasing. And will continue to grow. This is not the time to isolate yourself mentally. Build your intellectual and psychological strength. Nurture the relationships that are important to you. Build your tribe. The great myth of preparedness and survival is that it is a singular endeavor; it is not. I'll say it again—build your tribe.
You can purchase Aton's book, Preparedness NOW! here: https://bookshop.org/books/7010890/9781934170090
and my book, Preservation here: https://bookshop.org/books/7010907/9781934170694
Ryan Holiday is a Stoic enthusiast and has written many popular books interpreting Stoic philosophy. Here is a list of excellent (Stoic-influenced) suggestions for thriving during the current crisis.
Practice social distancing: as much as possible, stay away from people outside of your family. Avoid social events and public gatherings, work from home if possible. If you have employees, do what you can so they can do the same. And implement common-sense measures so that your employees and customers are safe: reduce face-to-face interactions as much as possible, grant generous sick leave, and limit the number of customers at a single time.
Cancel or postpone events if you have them. Make them remote-access, if possible. Do not prioritize your convenience or entertainment over the potential spread of the virus.
Practice safety measures: wash your hands as much as possible, especially before you eat. Don’t touch your face, and cough into a tissue or your elbow. Don’t shake hands with people, press buttons with knuckles or elbows, and avoid uncooked food.
Help others who are in more precarious situations. If you know your neighbor is elderly and planning to make a grocery run, see if you can help them get what they need without leaving their house.
Hold off on visiting elderly friends or family members. Yes, you’re worried about them. Yes, you miss them. But you put them and their community at risk by stopping at their old folks home or visiting their house. Even if you feel healthy, even if the person you’re visiting seems to be in good health, the safest option i
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