Having lived in earthquake territory, then hurricane territory, and overseas in general, our family has always had a “bug out bag” at the ready. This is a sturdy bag that holds some essentials for living in any viable situation for 72 hours: first aid, change of socks, bottled water, basic nonperishable snacks, flashlight, changes of clothes, copies of passports/important documents, cell phone chargers, basic tool kit, camping bowls, and utensils — you get the idea.
From the M*A*S*H episode “Bug Out”
Even though the worst we’ve ever come to needing it was during Hurricane Irma in 2017, it’s stayed as a staple of our lives. The hardest part about a bug out bag is keeping clothes for our kids inside that fit them as the months pass.
That’s why as news trickled into the Safe & Sane in Beijing groups about various compounds in Shunyi going into a three-day lockdown, and in some cases not being able to get food delivery, I started to think of starting a “Bug in bag,” just to be safe.
What is a bug in bag, do you ask? It’s everything nonperishable you would need in the event a Covid-19 infection is found in your compound, with a neighbor, or anywhere else you’ve been, and you find yourself having to stay at home for three days minimum until everyone is tested.
Oh yeah, with your kids and doing e-learning as well. And you and/or a partner might be working from home, too. You know, the usual.
This venture is less of a “bag” and more of a “shelf on the pantry we don’t use unless needed.” Here are some thoughts on what to include, just in case:
- Oatmeal
- Snack bars
- Raisins
- Powdered milk
- Coffee beans
- Teabags
- Frozen fruit
- Frozen veggies
- Pasta and favorite sauces
- Ingredients for cookies
- medicine
It isn’t only about food though. If we retreat back to staying at home in order to tamp down any incoming infections, how can we keep the kiddos involved in enriching activities in between video game binges and e-learning? Last week, I wrote about how to prepare your home for both working and learning at home, but is there any way to stock up on inexpensive activities to keep it interesting for the kids — and you — at home together.
Some ideas that might need a Taobao “trip”:
- art paper on a roll so they can create a mural
- a new board game to teach them
- a new card game like UNO, or a regular deck of cards
- a new puzzle
- dry erase activity books
- books about travel or places outside of Beijing
- jump rope or another physical activity for them to master
- magic tricks to learn
- modeling clay
- a new LEGO set
- whiteboard for daily schedules
If your district is locked down for any amount of time, be prepared. Just like the pantry shelf, the above activities will need their own hidden shelf in a closet or stored in a box, so that you can dole them out as needed. Just take some time for thoughtful stocking up and the short time you need to stay home won’t feel nearly as bad. And if you have friends in Shunyi, maybe see if they need any help getting this to their compound.
KEEP READING: Updates: The Latest in Beijing Family News
Photos: Pexels
