Thinking Ahead: Should Smallpox Become Reality, What Do We Do?

[ChemistCat]

There is a sizeable, cautious, but not hysterical contingent on FR that believes we may have been exposed to smallpox at some time in the last week. It's not something we know is happening. It's something we think is a reasonable scenario in light of other events. I'm starting this thread as a place to discuss what preparations our nation and communities do NOT seem to be making, and what our personal plans of action are if this CONTAGIOUS bioattack vector eclipses anthrax.

[ChemistCat]

My personal plan, subject to modification, will be implemented upon the first diagnosis of smallpox anywhere in CONUS. It's a simple plan based on cutting the odds of being exposed. We'll hole up with our food storage and our books, videos, and music. I will finally have my chance to see what the homeschooling crowd enjoys. Any contact with outsiders will be curtailed, including my medical appointments. I do not expect my government to be prepared for this if it is already in play; I won't be holding my breath for effective vaccination to be available to the masses, either. I don't intend to panic, because isolation WILL work unless we're so unfortunate as to be one of the first or second waves exposed. The odds are pretty low of that being a problem. However, the "just go buy a car" crowd could really get a lot of people killed. If this happens, I'm afraid that people won't take it seriously enough.

I would really like to see the nation's colleges and high schools developing plans for distance/home-based education of students if this particular emergency develops. Merely slowing the mobility of our society would inhibit the spread of even the most virulent strains of biowar viruses.

I might add that if this happens to us, I want the terrorists repaid with interest.

[Jewels1091]

Every single manufacturer of the smallpox vacine is making it now. There will be enough for the entire nation by next summer. Until then they have about 100 million doses. I don't think we have anything to worry about right now. I had 2 or 3 of them when I was a kid, none of them 'took', I never got the scar like everyone else did.

[cajungirl]

I think if it happens, the feds are ready to do what they did at the last outbreak in 1977. They come in an vaccinate an entire population, stop all travel in and out, vaccinate anyone who has been in the area and quarantine. I for one plan if there is a single case to stay home, not answer the door, get my grandsons here as well as my daughter. Anyone who leaves the house other than to get vaccine won't be let back in. I am very serious. Then you just hunker down for a couple of months and wait it out. I do believe there are enough vaccine, 10 mill, to deal with epidemics. Would hate to see it tested.

[harrier13]

Why haven't you done that for the flu?

It kills 20,000 people a year.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

One must assume that the Federal Government will handle Smallpox as they handle any other highly dangerous and deadly disease. Take for example a current disease (epidemic???). The government has passed laws not allowing doctors to test paitents for the disease. Rather than contain the disease they suggest people go ahead and do the very act that will spread it but "be careful." And, The government is spending gazillions of dollars to cure the non-curable disease rather than spend virtually nothing to stop the spread of the disease. Of course you all know that the disease is AIDS.

As for Smallpox I'll simply wear my gas mask everywhere in public. Will that do the trick or does it enter through miscelaneous other orifices???

[harrier13]

Those houses that were built in the 50's with bomb shelters have in increased in property value.

[Gimlet]

Do I sense some wishful thinking? Hey...a smallpox epidemic would be a terrible thing and unfortunately we have not invested in public health systems to help deal and contain it.Living off the grid in a remote area may help...for a while. But it can get you too. Best to take it on the chin as a nation and try to deal with it head on. You say you will want revenge...who will deliver it to whom and with whose resouces?

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Sounds like a plan to me... Have fun!!!

[Riley]

I have read a lot about Smallpox in the last week or so, including a nasty article posted here titled, 'The Demon in the Freezer'.

Since then, I have visited the website for the CDC, which (somewhat surprisingly) has a great deal of well organised, pertinent information. Among the things that I found out there, was that Smallpox only has about a 30% mortality rate.

Having said that, I think that your isolation idea is not bad, should there be a general outbreak that overwhelms the medical resources regionally or nationally. I have considered doing either that, or an extended camping trip- depending on how things play out locally. (I live in California- there's no guarantee that the Governor won't do something stunningly stupid in response to such a scenario, like try to herd people together.)

[AD from SpringBay]

No kidding.

I think the people who (may possibly) have smallpox should become politically active and fight for their special rights. Then, hollywood can all wear pink ribbons for the people who (may possibly) have smallpox. Then, we will enact laws that make it illegal to not hire the diseased. I can see it now.

[Governor StrangeReno]

Check your genealogy you might be in luck both my parents were told they were immune to it.

[Lion's Cub]

Here are a couple of related articles for anyone interested.

Model health law empowers states : Drugs, quarantine could be forced

A NEW SMALLPOX VACCINE FROM ABORTIONS? SMALLPOX VACCINE TO USE FETAL CELLS

[harrier13]

Now hold on there.I think WNBA player would be more accurate than female gymnast.

[ChemistCat]

Flu doesn't kill one out of three who get it (although there have been flu epidemics almost that deadly--1918 comes to mind.) Nor does flu permanantly disfigure a beautiful young lady or boy who gets it as smallpox does. I've seen photos of people who couldn't close their eyes because of smallpox scars.

And flu outbreaks follow a predictable and natural spread pattern. That's why they track it by state and county. Flu has not, as far as I know, been spread "deliberately" at any time, although I think corporations and schools that force people to congregate with others when ill ought to be criminally liable for that.

But if you look back through my older posts on FR you'll see that I am a serious advocate for flu preparedness, also. Watch people in any public restroom. They go in the stall, they do their thing, they come out, they leave, usually rubbing their eyes or otherwise touching their faces with whatever virus they've unconsciously trolled for. Depending on location and education level, 1/4-2/3 of us do not wash hands, and those who do usually touch the doorknob on the way out (thereby making their handwashing rather moot.)


I don't want to have to try to figure out how to take care of someone sick with this. I generally have a clue about flu (and as an at-risk adult, I get my flu shot, so I'll be well if I have to take care of a child with flu.)

[MadelineZapeezda]

My husband's 2 aunts had smallpox in the 1930's and survived. They are both still alive and well. They came from a family of 8 children, the other 6 never getting the disease. The family was immediately quarintined. The parents had been immigrants to this country and were already vaccinated. The other children were vaccinated by the board of health within an hour of the doctor visit. This bit of information may offer you some relief.

[MindBender26]

There is an interesting description of smallpox prevention in the new biography on John Adams. Great new book on a great patriot, in all the stores. Author is McCullough or something like that. (My copy loaned out)

Section describes smallpox epidemics sweeping Amercian Army under Washington, then stationed outside Boston. Blacks, many of whom were Freemen in Massachusetts had a very early African form of vaccination against smallpox. Whites, including Mrs. Adams, were attracted to treatment, as they saw benefits that few Blacks got disease and most cases were rather mild.

Process was simple. Insert limited ammount of pus from pox from patient recovering well in final stages of disease into incision on arm of person to be vaccinated.

Because original patient's immune system had killed most of disease, person vaccinated got only a weak form of disease, and many got no symptoms of disease at all, except for first few days of discomfort, such as we get from flu shot.

Mrs. Adams had this done for all kids, including future president, John Quincy Adams, and all survived after varying degrees of disease. Some were very sick, but nothing like full smallpox that was often fatal. John Adams was very much againstidea, but away in Philladelphia at Congress and couldn't prevent her from doing it... but greatly appreciated result when he saw none of his children lost to the disease.

Certainly this portion of a history book is no reason to go infect yourself with smallpox pus (yuk) but something to consider and investigate.

PS, I'm covered. Vaccinated twice for RVN and few years ago for Africa.

If Smallpox spread here, nuc all enemy in ME. Start with Kabala stone.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

If I found out I only had a short time to live I just may use a bit of my remaining strength to punch out a journalist.

[Jaidyn]

I'm old enough to remember when the fears were justified. I remember seeing signs on certain doors quarenteeing the households. I remember when my parents were distressed because they thought I contracted polio. People went on about their lives but were cautious. They leaned on each other and no one complained. We have to be here for each other now and fight the enemy as one. We will make it and be all the better for it.