Prepper meets microbiologist on the trail

Case study in differences:
P = prepper
MB = microbiologist

P: fascinated by the longevity potential of many foods. Especially if stored in cool, dry conditions.
MB: cites people getting sick after salad has sat on the table for six hours.

P: Interested in coconut oil
MB: Believes in vegetable oil? Or was it corn oil?

P: Thinks properly canned food may be consumable for 10 years.
MB: Recommends 2-3 years maximum.

P: Been drinking natural water for 52 years as long as livestock are not around. No problems and loves the taste of cool and natural high altitude water. Note: Do not ever drink untreated water below livestock such as sheep or cattle. Giardia is bad news.
MB: Concerned that a few pika's may have contaminated the water at 12,000'. P (thinking): Possible? Of course. So are many other risks. Best to stay in bed? Why take chances?

P: Frozen beef jerky has still been good ten years after purchase.
MB: Why freeze it? It is dried out. Some hamburger has e coli.

P: Smoked oysters are delicious every once in a while.
MB: Filter feeders filter a lot of "stuff".
P: Algae also consumed nutrients in water and is widely recommended. Sold as spirulina. A lot of stuff is good for you if you don't overdo it.
MB: I don't eat algae.

The chance meeting was fascinating and I enjoyed it. Mulling it over, I concluded that preppers are more concerned with staying alive with enough food than the germs that seem to keep the MB worrying late at night.

Things could get dirty in a SHTF scenario involving 90% fatalities in first year. MB probably has a clean refrigerator. P has a lot of food.

We all know that microbes can be lethal. Well, prepare yourself for a lot of microbes if the SHTF.

To be fair, the MB had many valid points. Many of us should worry more about germs and such. But the MB isn't going to get very far with ten days worth of food, electrolyte tablets (for hiking) and some chlorine tablets. Then again, he is in much better "prepper shape" than most.

If the SHTF, I'm betting more on the prepper.

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Prepper meets microbiologist on the trail