Madonna decided to go online and tell the world that coronavirus was the “great equaliser”, likening her experience of physical distancing in her mansion to that of everyone else, cramped up in their ordinary homes.

Then David Geffen wished everyone well from aboard his massive superyacht, where he’s been hiding out since the pandemic took hold. The public did not take kindly to this, and he has since deleted his Instagram account.

You might be noticing a trend here. Despite Madonna and Geffen’s attempts to connect with the world, coronavirus is not the great equaliser that they’re making it out to be.

If you’re rich, you are far better equipped to deal with it, from where and how you physically distance yourself through to the supplies and healthcare needed to stay healthy.

This is no more evident than in the fact that the luxury bunker industry is doing very well at the moment.

Forbes explains:

They are among the most famous names in the world, from tech billionaires and celebrities to doctors and lawyers, and countless corporate titans. All of them have one thing in common: outrageous underground bunkers with luxury amenities, including swimming pools, bowling alleys, and gun ranges.

The ‘preppers’ are smiling, and now bunker owners are, too.

The coronavirus pandemic has sent bunker owners into a frenzy as they stock up their underground dwellings in preparation for a six-month lockdown. Oddly, it’s not so much the virus that has them worried – it’s civil unrest.

Forbes spoke to Gary Lynch, from Rising S Bunkers, one of the leading manufacturers of luxury bunkers.

Before we go into what he has to say, take a tour of one of the company’s creations:

Yes, that is bigger than your house.

Over to Lynch, who says that requests for custom bunkers have risen by 2 000% in recent times.

“Sadly, the need for an underground bunker has once again risen,” says Lynch.

“While we specialize in building these types of products I would much rather build something else, but because we truly believe in the need for them, we won’t as long as there is a market.

One bunker enthusiast also weighed in on what it’s like to own one. Terry is 45 years old, with three children and a large 500-square-foot underground dwelling near his property.

Below, you can also enjoy some photos of bunkers, with added elements like car storage and bowling alleys.

The obscure building above the bunker features an escape hatch below to its expansive 3 bedrooms, two bath space.

With two master bedrooms, a kid’s room, and two bathrooms, the space is larger than many homes.

Terry didn’t build his bunker in preparation for nuclear war. He was more concerned about civil unrest and people coming for his stuff.

…”now we see the possibility of what we had always planned for.

It’s a whole different story when people are fighting over food and toilet paper. I don’t think it is the virus that will destroy the world; I think it is what comes after.”

His bunker is stocked up to keep his family safe for six months if necessary. The family has used it for overnight stays to practice.

We have hidden solar power in case the grid goes out. We have Internet underground cable running into it, so it’s like a home away from home.”

“We converted one of the rooms into storage,” Terry says. “We have enough food and water to last exactly six months. We do a lot of our own canning and have a lot of beans and rice and put them in Mylar bags.

It’s a lot cheaper than buying pre-made products, and you can make a lot more of it on your own.

There are entertainment rooms, weapons rooms, and hidden cameras. Terry has also rehearsed an escape plan with the family in case the bunker is infiltrated.

Once you are inside the safe house, it offers one more layer of protection for the bunker entrance.

 The bunker’s hatch lies behind a false wall. This false wall is made from 1/4″ plate steel (like all of the other interior walls), and its dual purpose is undetectable to the naked eye.

This wall will open to the bunker entrance once you release the hidden locking mechanism. Once you are inside the hidden “hatch-room,” the door can be locked from the inside as well using two sliding dead-bolts.”

For more on the types of bunkers out there, read this.

Unfortunately, most of us will have to battle it out above ground.

[source:forbes]