"The First 100 Things to Disappear"

I've seen the lists for the "First 100 Items to Disappear" in a crisis all over the internet prepping sites.  You probably have, too.  What I didn't realize until I started working on this post is that most of those lists are exactly the same.  (For reference, I pasted a few of them in at the end of this post.)  That was a little surprising.

But the real eye-opener was the fact that few of the items on the ubiquitous "First 100 Items to Disappear"  lists were actually among the first 50 items that became difficult to source in the COVID crisis (listed below).  I bolded the items that actually made other top 100 lists. Also, not all items  became hard to get at the same time in different parts of the country.  Apparently, canning lids are harder to get online and in agricultural areas than they are in suburban stores.

Now, what is the point of posting this list?  It is NOT to cause anyone to panic purchase items they don't yet have.  The purpose is to demonstrate that somebody else's lists and quantities aren't necessarily going to work out for your situation.  It's to illustrate the importance of being prepared for all crises.  It's a fact that pandemics happen and should always be prepared for, just like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, etc.  It's a fact that other events will happen that cause us to use the supplies we have prepared.  Most of our supplies are useful regardless of what happens--masks work for pandemics, fires, dust, dirty clean-up jobs, etc.  Nitrile gloves are nice for pandemics and dirty jobs, perhaps layered with work gloves for some situations.  Rubbing alcohol has numerous uses.

But do you need baby diapers?  Lots of lists suggest the need for bicycles and supplies to maintain them.  Those just aren't going to work where I am.  I've never seen a cockroach in any of my homes and I'm a good distance away from neighbors.  I just don't think I need to focus on any resources there.  People in areas that are warm year-round probably can pass on wool mittens and hats. 

The items on the following list of what actually disappeared in this pandemic aren't necessarily in order, though I have attempted to arrange them somewhat chronologically in the order they disappeared/became difficult to source.

The First 50 Items that Actually Disappeared in the Current Crisis

1. Toilet paper
2. Paper towels
3. Tissues
4. Napkins
5. Hand sanitizer, and ingredients that can be used to make it at home. 
6. Disinfectant wipes
7. Lysol spray
8. Bleach
9. All cleaning products
10. Hydrogen peroxide
11. Alcohol, 70%
12. Masks
13. Nitrile gloves
14. Beans
15. Yeast
16. Flour
17. Rice
18. Bottled water (lots of lists included water filters)
19. Zinc (anything with zinc in it)
20. Dog food
21. Pasta of any type, including ramen
22. Canned vegetables and fruit
23. Canned soup
24. Fresh meat, cured meat, canned meat
25. Bread
26. Spaghetti Sauce
27. Cheese
28. Eggs
29. Fresh milk
30. Canned chili
31. Dried elderberries/Sambucol
32. Elastic
33. Thermometers
34. Vitamins
35. Grain mills
36. Freeze-dried foods
37. Baking powder and baking soda
38. Sugar
39. Peanut butter
40. Chicks
41. Hair dye
42. Canned biscuits/dough
43. Vegetable seeds
44. Freezers
45. Free 2-day shipping 
46. Mac n cheese
47. Ammo
48. Canning lids
49. Frozen TV dinners
50. Butter
51. Soap
52. Sewing machines
53. Nails and screws
54. Lumber
55. Aluminum
56. Plastics
57.  Coins
58.  Appliances

So what did I miss on my list here?  Please put it in the comments below.  Hydroxychloroquine should be in the list somewhere.  All Day Chemist quit shipping it pretty early on.  I think most everything else on the list can be obtained now, except for freezers, though in some areas there are still limits on the amount that can be purchased.

(Update 12 July 2020.  I just added items 52-57.  My sister-in-law said she couldn't find sewing machines anywhere.  One morning she got on Walmart's site and found they had seven, so she added one to her cart.  When she refreshed the page, there were only two left, so she added another one for her daughter whose machine had just died.  I've read about shortages in lumber, nails and screws, aluminum and plastics.  My daughter-in-law said she saw a store sign requesting exact change only.  Interesting times we're in.)

Now, what becomes difficult to obtain when an earthquake strikes?  What about an economic collapse?  Say Kim Jong-Il starts getting trigger-happy again?  There is always a run on potassium iodide tablets when this happens, but what else?  What if there is a different pandemic?  Pneumonic plague would make life very interesting.  How about a major famine?  Or what if difficulties in the meat supply chain continue to spread?  War with China?  How do any of these possibilities affect your ability to procure specific items that you need?  Think about this carefully and plan accordingly.

The following lists come from all over the internet.  (Lists of items cannot be copyrighted.  So I can copy anyone else's.  You all can copy mine and post them anywhere.  You can even claim them as your own.  I'm not complaining.  They're just lists.  It's the way things are.)


1. Generators
2. Water Filters and Purifiers.
3. Portable Toilets.
4. Seasoned Firewood.
5. Lamp Oil, Lamps, Wicks.
6. Coleman Fuel.
7. Weapons. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots
8. Kitchen Tools. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey /Syrups / white and brown sugar
10. Rice – Beans – Wheat.
11. Vegetable Oil
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid
13. Water Containers Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane)
15. Grain Grinder
16. Propane Cylinders
17. Survival Guide Book
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc.
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer
21. Cookstoves
22. Vitamins and other supplements
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products
25. Thermal Underwear
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty
28. Gasoline Containers
29. Garbage Bags
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, and Paper Towels
31. Milk – Powdered & Condensed
32. Garden Seeds
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish
36. Fire Extinguishers
37. First Aid Kits
38. Batteries
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks
48. Garbage cans – Plastic
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, etc.
50. Cast Iron Cookware
51. Fishing supplies and tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles and wicks
56. Laundry Detergent
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & and sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, and so forth.
61. Bleach
62. Canning Supplies
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles – Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice, Puzzles
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, umbrellas, etc.
73. Shaving supplies
74. Hand Pumps & siphons
75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillon/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses and glasses repair kits
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix, Beef Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc.
85. Lumber
86. Wagons & carts
87. Cots & Inflatable Mattresses
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screw, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee, instant and regular
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors
95. Paraffin Wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens


Emergency Items That Disappear First
1. Generators
2. Water
3. Water Filters/Purifiers
4. Portable Toilet
5. Seasoned Firewood.
6. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps
7. Coleman Fuel
8. Charcoal and Lighter fluid
9. Family Protection
10. Cooking utensils
11. Honey/sugar/syrups
12. Rice/beans/ wheat
13. Vegetable oil
14. Water containers
15. Propane Heaters and all accessories that go with it
16. Fishing accessories
17. Lighting sources short term and long term
18. Batteries
19. Basin to do laundry in/washboards, etc
20. Cookstoves
21. Vitamins
22. Thermal underwear
23. Tools (bow saw, axes, hatchets, wedges
24. Aluminum Foil
25. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder
26. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty
28. Gasoline containers
29. Garbage bags
30. Toilet paper, paper towels, hygiene items
31. Milk
32. Work gloves, Workboots, Work Clothes
33. Seeds
34. Clothespins/line/hangers
35. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
36. Canned Goods
37. Fire Extinguishers or Baking Soda
38. First Aid Kits
39. Batteries
40. Spices, Vinegar and Baking Supplies, Yeast, Salt
41. Dog Food
42. Matches
43. Notebooks, pencils
44. Ice chests
45. Flashlights, torches, light sticks
46. Plastic Containers
47. Cast iron cookware
48. Fishing Supplies
49. Repellent sprays, creams
50. Duct Tape
51. Garbage cans Plastic
52. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
53. Shaving supplies
54. Cast iron cookware
55. Fishing supplies/tools
56. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
57. Duct Tape Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
58. Candles
59. Laundry Detergent
60. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
61. Garden tools & supplies
62. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
63. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
64. Bleach
65. Canning supplies
66. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
67. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
68. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
69. Carbon Monoxide Alarm
70. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
71. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
72. Paper plates/cups/utensils
73. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap
74. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
75. Hand pumps & siphons
76. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillon/gravy/soup base
77. Reading glasses
78. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
79. Survival-in-a-Can
80. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
81. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
82. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit
 83. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
84. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
85. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc.
86. Lumber
87. Wagons & carts
88. Cots & Inflatable mattress
89. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
90. Lantern Hangers
91. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
92. Teas
93. Coffee
94. Cigarettes
95. Wine/Liquors
96. Paraffin wax
97. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
98. Atomizers
99. Hats & cotton neckerchief
100. Goats/chickens

1. Generators
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps
6. Coleman Fuel
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats and Slingshots
8. Hand-Can openers and hand egg beaters, whisks
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugars
10. Rice – Beans – Wheat
11. Vegetable oil
12. Charcoal and Lighter fluid
13. Water containers
14. Mini Heater head (Propane)
15. Grain Grinder
16. Propane Cylinders
17. Michael Hyatt’s Y2K Survival Guide
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc.
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula/ointments/aspirin, etc
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer
21. Cookstoves
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products
25. Thermal underwear
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets and Wedges
27. Aluminum foil Reg. and Heavy. Duty
28. Gasoline containers
29. Garbage bags
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towel
31. Milk – Powdered and Condensed
32. Garden seeds
33. Clothespins/line/hangers
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish
36. Fire extinguishers
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries
39. Garlic, spices and vinegar, baking supplies
40. BIG DOGS
41. Flour, yeast and salt
42. Matches
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils/solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests
45. Workboots, belts, Levis and durable shirts
46. Flashlights/Light Sticks and torches, “No.76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries and Scrapbooks
48. Garbage cans Plastic
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams
53. Duct tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry detergent
57. Backpacks and Duffle bags
58. Garden tools and supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics and sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach
62. Canning supplies
63. Knives and Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.
65. Sleeping bags and blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm
67. Board Games Cards, Dice
68. d-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps and cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils
71. Baby Wipes, oils, waterless and Anti-bacterial soap

72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies
74. Hand pumps and siphons
75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillons/gravy/soup base
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. BSA – New 1998 – Boy Scout Handbook
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc.
85. Lumber
86. Wagons and carts
87. Cots and Inflatable Mattresses
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts and bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers
99. Hats and cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens

1. Water Bottles
2. Water Filters
3. Matches
4. Diapers
5. Baby Wipes
6. Diaper Rash Ointment
7. Toilet Paper
8. Kleenex
9. Menstrual Supplies
10. Monistat
11. Cranberry Vitamins
12. Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
13. Haircare Supplies
14. Canned Food
15. Frozen Food
16. Dog Food
17. Flashlights
18. Batteries
19. Coffee
20. Alcohol
21. Charcoal
22. Gasoline Containers
23. Coleman Fuel
24. Coleman Stoves/Cooking Stoves
25. Propane Canisters
26. Hand Can Openers
27. Honey/Sugar/White and Brown
28. Yeast
29. Wheat
30. Wheat Grinder
31. Large silver bowl to make bread
32. Pancake Mix
33. Baking Supplies
34. Spices
35. Wash Buckets/Washing Supplies
36. Vitamins
37. Aluminum Foil
38. Garbage Bags
39. Baggies
40. Paper Towels
41. Laundry Soap
42. Hand Soap
43. Kitchen Sink Soap
44. Ajax/Comet
45. Sink Scrubber
46. Instant Milk
47. Clothespins/Clotheslines
48. Fire Extinguishers
49. Insulated Ice Chests
50. Duct Tape
51. Cast Iron Pans
52. Cast Iron Pan Scrubber
53. Tarps/Tents/Shelters
54. Sleeping Bags
55. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
56. Candles
57. Garden Tools
58. Scissors and Sewing Supplies
59. Bleach
60. Mousetraps/Ant Traps/Roach Spray
61. Board Games/Card Games
62. Paper Plates/Paper Bowls/Paper Cups
63. Plastic Silverware
64. Shaving Cream/Shavers
65. Hand Pumps
66. Bicycle tires/pumps
67. Reading Glasses
68. First Aid Supplies
69. Medical Handbook
70. Wool Socks
71. Wool Blankets
72. Scarves/Mittens/Warm Gloves
73. Popcorn
74. Peanut Butter and Jam
75. Macaroni and Cheese
76. Nuts
77. Underwear
78. Wagons
79. Cots and Inflatable Mattresses
80. Candles
81. Vegetable Oil
82. Chocolate
83. Handkerchiefs
84. Solar battery charger
85. Pliers and wire
86. Hand Crank Radio
87. Prescriptions
88. Cash, small bills and coins
89. Shoe Laces
90. Dutch Ovens
91. Lip Gloss/Chapstick
92. Essential Oils
93. Vicks VapoRub
94. Steel Wool
95. Sandpaper
96. Lumber
97. Hand-crank tools
98. Food
99. Bread
100. Crackers