TSiWRXI really like threads like these because it's thought-provoking. I honestly don't think I've read one post here that's of-substance (i.e. not a reply-to kind of post ) that I didn't find at least something I liked, agreed with, or, alternatively, something that I just haven't thought of or, perhaps even more importantly, could stand to think-of from a different perspective.
So, everyone - thank you, and keep them coming!
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For me, the most realistic "SHTF" is one of natural disaster. Where I live in NE-Ohio, our primary risk is tornadoes, and for our family specifically, and perhaps also that "once in a lifetime" snow-event (such as the 2011 snowstorm that shut down metro-Chicago - I learned a lot from this XDTalk member's wife's experience: https://www.xdtalk.com/threads/lessons-learned-wife-stranded-for-14-hours.167580/).
To me, this type of scenario also includes what's happening in various areas in China, now, of which perhaps the BBC has most impressed me with the breadth and depth of their coverage:
The lack of food and medical resources is a reality that can follow any such natural disaster or government-imposed quarantine order, and I think it is worth everyone's while to be prepared for this very realistic possibility - if not eventuality - regardless of whether they then decide to go deeper down the "prepping" rabbit hole.
Even in just my relatively short and God-blessed time on this earth of 45 years, I've now lived through several events that, while not disasters, certainly could be called emergencies, and it is towards these ends that I "prep" the way I do, which, even the "polite society" of academia, more and more people are starting to realize the importance of (and not just pay lip service to). The more we are self-reliant and are able to take stress off the system, the better we will all be, in such an event.
And towards that end, I hope to engender the same desire towards self-reliance in my child, by helping her understand that we are not prepping for these events out of fear. Rather, it is by being prepared (be it for self-defense or for survival - or just more comfortable living - during a natural disaster) that we are able to free ourselves of that fear.
I look back on that Chicago snowstorm thread on XDTalk and am able to say to myself that yes, I've prepared my wife and myself for that possibility.
I look at the news coming out of the BBC about Wuhan and other Chinese cities under quarantine, and again, I can say that we are ready for that, too.
I look at this thread so far, and it shows me what I haven't thought of - and it gives me direction for the future.
You never cease to impress with your talent of breaking down a subject. You've brought a lot of great points that should make everyone think.