Coronavirus: Doomsday preppers are sharing YouTube videos about navigating Covid-19

Many preppers include reminders for individuals to follow CDC’s safety guidelines

Doomsday preppers are offering advice to those concerned over the spread of coronavirus, including what items to stockpile and how to keep yourself from being infected.

Preppers, often referred to as survivalists, are a group of people who actively prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks or health emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, people have begun turning to preppers – and their YouTube channels – as a way of gaining insight into survival mode.

According to preppers, this is what people need to know if they want to successfully navigate coronavirus.

Practise social distancing and be mindful of the impact news has on mental health

In daily life, those considered preppers are often seen in a mocking light, with the majority of people viewing their preparedness and precautions as over-the-top.

However, in reality, many preppers follow useful and rational advice, often reiterated from global health organisations.

In one video, uploaded by City Prepping titled: “Coronavirus: why things are about to get worse,” which has been viewed more than 198,000 times since it was uploaded on 19 March, prepper Kris explains that people need to be wary of how the news impacts their mental health.

“This weighs heavily on me when I scroll through the news. Everything is just doom, doom, doom,” he said, before reassuring his viewers that by following safety protocols such as social distancing “we will be able to get through this”.

Don’t worry about running out of food – yet

As fears over the pandemic grew, people around the world began panic-buying food. In many stores, the shelves are still empty. However, according to Kris, people should not worry – as the supply chains are still functioning.

“I don’t think that’s gonna be an issue, there will be food,” he says, explaining that he has gotten numerous messages from followers concerned about the shortages. “I believe it is coming in, I don’t see any signs that indicate otherwise.

“I’m personally not worried about it.”

Get your BBQ grill or portable stove ready

In addition to general preparedness techniques, preppers are often sharing more detail-oriented advice.

According to Cliff, who runs the YouTube channel The Urban Prepper, the first thing those who want to prepare should do is get their grill ready “like it’s the start of summer” – which includes ensuring you have at least three standard propane tanks – as it is a useful method of cooking.

Make sure you have a working freezer

Cliff also wants people to know that freezing food is useful when preparing for an emergency as it offers an alternative to only purchasing perishable food items.

Create a contagion kit

According to the YouTube channel Sensible Prepper, people should have a “contagion kit” to be able to “keep yourself healthy and well in the face of the threat” whether it is coronavirus or another illness.

First explaining that practises such as hand-washing, social distancing and not touching your face are the most effective measures, the Sensible Prepper says contagion kits should include things such as gloves, hand sanitiser, baby wipes, anti-bacterial wipes, cleaning sprays Pine Sol and Lysol, dishwashing detergent, vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D-3, vitamin A or a good multivitamin, painkillers, and nasal spray.