I live in a small community that can be easily sealed from intrusion at the two entrances. However, someone in search of water or a meal may be willing and able to do harm to get in. Our personal conduct will have to change from full acceptance to wariness, as well. A community watch needs to be established; and the phrase “Well “Armed Militia” will take on a more local and personal meaning. Pets will need strict supervision, because not only do they need to be fed, but they can, in desperate times, become targets for food. Worse will be those folks who are moving to be with other family, elsewhere, may have no room and no choice but to set some pets free to fend for themselves. House pets are not truly capable of it, and aside from being targets, can become feral.
The worst thing we may have to face are outlaws who have organized into powerful groups. These new-reality gangs, may organize in military fashion, and a self-sustaining neighborhood will become a target. As a target, any group pulling together for all, must organize a squad of their own to protect the group. There are police in my neighborhood, and they might be good for patrol, but it’s the hunters who will have to take on the lion’s share of the protection. In dire circumstances, there will be no expectation of firetrucks nor ambulance assists. The community would need to organize and find out if there are any folks staying put who have medical experience – from EMT’s to Nurses, to PA’s. I don’t expect a lot of doctors near me, but there are a lot of hospitals and medical centers, so PA’s and Nurses are available.
The better your community is at organizing its periodic meetings, the better prepared the community can be. In some cases, those not staying may be able to lend their homes to the group to help the community to keep safe, set up first aid in one or two of them – mini hospitals, if needed, and provide upkeep and protection until they owners return. Again-the need for medical professionals is hard to assess.
Lin Cava 