Pandemic Flu!

[Turtle]

___The flu pandemic of 1918 killed 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 people worldwide and by many accounts the world is overdue for another such disaster. Today in the mail my county sent me (and every county household) a warning advisory on preparing for just such an event.
___The letter suggested county officials are taking action, but listed none and went on about the dangers and how to prepare; they included an enclosure sheet from CDC with a checklist of supplies and recommended actions.
___Sounds like they expect hospitals to fill so fast it's really every family for themself. Here's a dandy link to get you to think:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
___How much do you know about pandemics? Do you plan to prepare?

[Mercedes Benzene]

Honestly I do not believe we have to worry about another pandemic on the scale of the 1918 event you mentioned.
Technology has improved trememdously, and I think that if we act now, we can properly prepare for such an event.
I'm not worried, and I don't plan to do anything about it to prepare.

In case anyone is interested, here's what the government is doing to prepare:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab1.html

^^^same website that Turtle posted, just more specific!^^^

[Jay-qu]

I dont know much about them at all.. but I thought we where past that now should be interesting to see what happens. Perhaps if the bird flu virus morphed to been able to transmit human to human it could prove to be a pandemic.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

I dont know much about them at all.. but I thought we where past that now

Given the increase in numbers and frequency of world wide travelers, we have never faced a greater danger from a pandemic. By all means read up.

Originally Posted by MercedesB

Honestly I do not believe we have to worry about another pandemic on the scale of the 1918 event you mentioned.
Technology has improved trememdously, and I think that if we act now, we can properly prepare for such an event.
I'm not worried, and I don't plan to do anything about it to prepare.

No worry, but again we have considerable reason for concern. Not only do we have the spreading mechanism ramped up, but the Spanish flu emerged from nowhere. While the bird flu may not escalate to a pandemic, it is the unknown virus that is the greatest threat.
___No plans to prepare?! Why do anything at all to prepare for a longer life then? Why not stop brushing your teeth, going to school, stuffing your pie hole, bathing your buns!? I am not surprised by your comment in general, but specifically dissappointed. From previous discussions on preparedness you are amoing the 75% that expect those 25% of us who have prepared to take care of you.
___That alone is reason for concern.

[moosegal]

Just tiptoeing through.
This is a great read but unfortunately it doesn't answer the questions I have in the back of my mind. With all the solar activity, I have wondered if it would have any effect on germ and virus development.

After I get to ten post I'll come back and post the link to the site.

[Jay-qu]

ok. In the extreme case to prepare I would make sure that my house was airtight, or at least maintains a positive pressure so that no outside contaminants can make it indoors. Ideally I would grow hydroponic foods, and live off that and other stored supplements, minimising my exposure to the outside.
But if my area was not under direct threat, I would make sure I avoided public areas, toilets, gatherings, any contact with strangers.

[moosegal]

Back. Here's the link.

http://www.nasca.org.uk/Strange_Maps/virus/virus.html

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by moosegal

Just tiptoeing through.
This is a great read but unfortunately it doesn't answer the questions I have in the back of my mind. With all the solar activity, I have wondered if it would have any effect on germ and virus development.

It is not a question of if, but how, when ,where, & other such qualifiers. Inasmuch as viruses appear suddenly & without previous study, the question of Solar influence is a non sequitur.

Originally Posted by JQ

ok. In the extreme case to prepare I would make sure that my house was airtight, or at least maintains a positive pressure so that no outside contaminants can make it indoors. Ideally I would grow hydroponic foods, and live off that and other stored supplements, minimising my exposure to the outside.

Do you joke me? You seem to allow preparing is a good idea, but then give an unrealistic plan as if to joke it off. A pandemic is an extreme case and it is a likely scenario. What concerns me the most is the majority of people's plan is to take advantage of the preparations of others.
Take some self responsibility & put together a disaster kit for pandemic or any unexpected disaster. Add a few things every month for the next 6 months and then you have prepared. Why would you not?

[Jay-qu]

What makes you think I was joking?

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

What makes you think I was joking?

I've had the flu & I'm not thinking clearly , or I find youngsters like to make the joke of me without my knowledge. At my age, that includes about everyone.
At any rate, I suggest you check out the links I gave for a practical list of supplies & measures for preparing for a pandemic or other disaster. Suddenly growing your own food in your house is not on any of them; no kidding!