Preparing to shelter in place, again?

The lockdowns of COVID 19 seem so long ago, and yet so recent

I am writing this email as passengers from the  cruise ship where the hantavirus was first identified, are being repatriated. It feels like a bit like deja vu but time will tell if that is just me, sensationalized news that leads to nothing, or something similar to what we saw 6 years ago. Regardless I was thinking of what living through another pandemic would look like - and how/if lockdowns would change.

2 weeks of isolation without food 

I was in Mexico when then prime minister Justin Trudeau called all Canadians abroad to return to so-called Canada. I had left about 1 week earlier on what was meant to be a three month ish backpacking trip across central america and I had emptied my pantry before I left. So when I returned it was straight to self isolation with no food. I was grateful for the apartment Facebook group a neighbour had set up a few years ago and I was able to restock the next day with help from the group. I got 2 weeks worth of groceries, and then some.

Enough food for sheltering in place

Currently, the most recommended duration for sheltering in place is 14 days. But some experts recommend having up to 90 days if possible. I now always keep about 90 cans on hand, and a box of ramen. Cans are handy if water is unavailable. Ramen is light and easy to store. I have been buying the cans slowly but surely anytime I see beef stew or beans on sale for $1, and my sister bought me a box of Ramen from Costco with her membership.

Start small

If this feels like a big investment either financially, space-wise, or planning energy - you can start with a 72hr kit if you haven't already got one, and expand from there. 

Let's do it together.

Join me for Pack It: DIY 72-Hour Emergency Kit on May 21—a trauma-informed, interactive online workshop where you build your kit using items you already own. No shopping required.

We'll talk about what preparedness looks like when your body has unique needs. When you're disabled, low-income, neurodivergent, or living in a small space. When official lists don't account for your physical, cultural, or household needs.

Pack It: DIY 72-Hour Emergency KitWorkshop

Is the first workshop in my Inclusive Community Preparedness Series. We'll build our kits together using items we already own, while also talking about our context — because preparedness looks different for all of us.

📅 Date: Wednesday May 21, 2026

🕕 Time: 6:00pm–7:30pm PT

💻 Location: Online

💰 Cost: $5–$25 CAD (2 for 1 discount - so bring a friend!)

🔗 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pack-it-diy-72-hour-emergency-kit-tickets-1987791234091?aff=oddtdtcreator