Krystal, a 31-year-old mother of five from Utah, is known online as the 'Doomsday Queen' and has amassed a following of over 400,000 by sharing her extensive preparations for apocalyptic scenarios. She has enough food stored to sustain her family for at least five years, along with a solar generator, body armor, water filtration systems, and freezers full of meat. Her upbringing in a family of preppers instilled these habits from an early age.
In light of the recent hantavirus outbreak, Krystal emphasizes the importance of being ready for emergencies that could cut off access to fresh food, medicine, or power. 'It's very important to have a backup,' she told the Daily Mail, comparing prepping to car insurance. She has already stocked up on gloves, masks, and medication, and cancelled flights in favour of driving to avoid airports.
Preppers Adapt to New Threats
Carrie Smith and her husband Colton, known as @housewifeprepper with over 1.6 million followers, began preparing after a Chinese spy balloon crossed the US in February 2023. They now store food buckets with 25-year shelf lives, gas masks, portable power stations, and bathtub water storage. 'Natural disasters, job loss, you name it, there's always a reason to be prepared,' Carrie said. They have also increased their supply of N95 filters and rubber gloves due to the hantavirus risk.
Key Items for Emergency Kits
Krystal recommends stocking up on medications for respiratory infections, such as prednisone and albuterol, citing shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also advises having ample food, water, and educational materials like books. 'We have a perfect storm right now,' she warned, pointing to fuel issues and global supply chain problems.
Carrie and Colton stress that preparation doesn't have to be expensive. 'Doing a little every day versus a lot in just one day is a better way to attack this,' Colton said. They suggest buying a few filters each week and gradually building supplies. 'It took us years to build what we have,' Carrie added, noting that even $5 per paycheck can make a difference.
Hantavirus Outbreak Details
The outbreak began on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which left Argentina on April 1. The Andes virus strain, capable of human-to-human transmission, has caused 11 cases (eight confirmed, one inconclusive, two probable) and three deaths. The first victim was a Dutch man who fell ill on April 6 and died five days later. His wife died in South Africa, and a German woman died onboard on May 2. Eighteen Americans were evacuated and are in federal quarantine.
Health officials believe the virus originated from a birdwatching tour at a landfill in Argentina. Despite fears of a pandemic, CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya told CNN, 'This is not COVID... we shouldn't be panicking when the evidence doesn't warrant it.'
