QOTD #49: What Would You Do?

If the world was cetainly going to fall into a massive war on a certain date, what would you do with a week of certain peace?

 

I guess that would depend on the details I knew. Are we talking a nuclear holocaust that would absolutely impact me directly right away? Something like WWII where there is a massive amount of fighting, but it is all somewhere else so the real direct impact would be in rationing and morale?

I mean, realistically, Middle America isn't going to be invaded any time soon. And for it to be bombed or missiles fired here, I'd think the only response would be nuclear, and last second preparation for that would basically be useless...

So I guess my simple/general answer would be to stock up on a few more staples (we keep a decent emergency supply of most things on hand) and try to get a generator and as much fuel as I could. We have a brand new side of beef and a ton of other meat in the freezer that would be nice to not waste. Especially if rationing or deprivation is about to occur.

 

If war is inevitable and getting out of town isn't an option, I guess the only rational thing for me to do would be to help family prepare. My parents have a place out in the country, that's probably the best bet in terms of survivability. Nice big plot of land, closest neighbour is a couple kilometres away, the house is set back and not visible from the road. We could get the biggest generator we can find out there, as much fuel as possible, if the weather's amenable help dig up the back yard and turn it into a vegetable garden, canning supplies, whatever else I can come up with in a week.

The trouble with all of this is that if civil society collapses I lose my medication supply. I've only ever got 4 weeks of it on hand at most, and that only remains usable if it stays chilled which might be a challenge in a post-apocalyptic wonderland. Once I run out I've got a few weeks while it works its way out of my system entirely and then my body fucking me over becomes an inevitability. My ability to survive without modern medicine would be severely limited.

That's the trouble with these doomsday scenarios. They're fun to think about if you're healthy but for those of us who aren't there's really only one possible outcome, and that kind of takes the romance out of it.

 

Funny.
I wasn't even thinking prep.
I live my life as prepped as I feel comfortable. Mormon upbringing and all.
I was thinking making the most of time with family and friends, having long phone conversations that I've been putting off... Visiting a national park or two. Things of that sort.

 

Depends on the extent and context of the war

are there nukes involved?
is the primary action here or somewhere else? (we've had world wars before centralized elsewhere)

If there's nukes (again, where, the speed of escalation and to what extent)
If it was quick, considering I live and work near one of the primary targets, I'd kiss my ass goodbye

if it was limited, maybe I'd relocate near family in OKC

Biowarfare...then much of the US is screwed, if it spreads (how far and how quick??)
Even survivalists would be hard pressed to deal with this.

if it was conventional, then I'd probably wait it out.
if there was a quick invasion, the I'd likely go fight with the underground

Conventional, it's unlikely the US would be overwhelmed or attacked directly that often...there's an inherent advantage to having 2 oceans covering your flanks.
Perhaps non-nuke missiles or artillery, then it would be like the Brits in WWII...get to shelter.

there are world wars and there are world wars.

Most massive wars would be in Europe, Middle East or Asia.
I'd think we'd more likely have deal with the environmental consequences and how far & fast they spread.

 

My parents are too far away to go visit within a week. Seattle would likely be nuts, so forget it.

More than likely, I'd stay put (my town always survives the Apocalypse, just check fiction ), or bug out to Grandma's house in the boonies. LP generator and fireplace were just installed!

 

Ah, Dies The Fire and The Protector's War, et al.