So what should you do, you need supplies but places are getting swamped. Well you have two choices. The first is try ordering online. Yes, I know, still has risks associated however when ordering groceries online they will usually prepare the delivery after shelves have been restocked either late at night or early in the morning when the vans are being prepared, it increases the likelihood of you acquiring all you ordered. Yes, some items may still come up short but that will remain a risk for the duration. The second method is going out of your usual area to more rural or suburban locations for supplies. In such cases yes there is a chance for higher prices but also a higher chance of acquisition of materials therefore the trade off is worth it. This goes not only for food but other essentials also. Speaking of lets do a quick check list of things that will be helpful in the event of self isolation.

- Food and water, obviously
- Medical supplies, if on prescription medicines request at least an extra month on top of your regular supply if possible, if not possible look at alternatives
- Vitamins and supplements to maintain both a healthy immune system and to maintain a good general standard of health
- Basic emergency supplies such as torches, heaters, portable gas cookers, things like this. While events requiring them are highly unlikely such equipment is always good to have as back up

So let's start with food. An average human can comfortably survive on 2500 calories a day and can be rationed down to 1200-1500 if not having to be active. Now for the sake of simplicity lets multiply 2500 by 30, that gives us 75,000 for just over a single month. Now times that by however many in your household, if just yourself great, if you have a family then multiply again. Say I have three people I need to care for, I need 300,000 calories for a month total. But what of water, an average human needs 2.5 liters a day, that's 75 a person for thirty days, for my example that'd be 300 liters drinking water. That's quite an amount isn't it? Now luckily despite all the ludicrous issues with my dour little island one of the few perks it has is an excellent and fairly solid water system, at least in my area. It's not perfect no and it could have issues if understaffed but the likelihood of problems is far lower here but in rural areas or in certain states in the US this is a significant issue that you most certainly should pay attention to. Now there is no need to panic though as filling these calories and water needs can be easier than you think. The key is simple, operate on a dollar/pound/euro to calorie budget. What do I mean by this? Well, 1kg of Economy Rice, the cheapest white rice available in the UK is something like 50p or 45p in the UK, that is around 58 cents/.50 euro. That 1kg bag contains around 3000 calories cooked. 15 kg of it would be 45,000 calories at £6.75p. That is not too bad at all now is it. However, rice alone is pretty bad, you need salt, protein in the form of beans and canned meat and so forth and so forth. You need to look at and figure out the best bang for your buck as it were as well as check you can safely and easily store these items. You need to assess and think ahead of what you'll need, what can be stored for long periods all the while operating in whatever budget you have available. Do not forget the importance of the simple things either such as herbs, sweet treats and the like in order to help break up the potential tedium if you have to use these supplies long term.