Posted on 04/26/2009 6:02:07 AM PDT by Blueflag
As a recovering scientist, I think it might be prudent, seriously, for FReepers to think about their plans and preparedness should the current swine flu become epidemic and or pandemic.
Request: FReepers please post your thoughts and wisdom to help your fellow FReepers be prudent without freaking out.
Rationale: This virus, compared to the H5N1 "bird flu" virus (hype) *has* demonstrated a very capable human-to-human vector and an ability to rapidly disable and kill a human host. Similar to the influenza of the early 1900s, it is particularly able to infect and kill folks 20 - 45, the age group most likely able and responsible for aiding and defending other family members. The carriers are spreading it via (air) travel and proximal and direct contact with other humans. Don't have data yet on incubation/duration/recovery times for the infected.
Scenarios:
(1) survive in place. What should a family or other social unit do to prepare to survive a 30 - 45 day window where they MUST isolate themselves from others and generally accepted social services and social order are absent, disrupted or in chaos.
(2) evacuate to an isolated place and structure, i.e., a vacation or farm home away from city/suburban metros. Again, what should a family or other social unit do to prepare to survive a 30 - 45 day window where they MUST isolate themselves from others and generally accepted social services and social order are absent, disrupted or in chaos. AND since they might have to pack X number of people into Y number of vehicles with Z amount of cubic feet of trunk space/ roof rack, how might you kit the stuff for travel?
(3) Surviving and thriving in the aftermath. How should FReepers prepare physically, emotionally and socially for the aftermath of even a mildly disruptive epdemic?
Also, if you have links to prior FReeper articles on the subject, post those.
Good websites you believe in? Post those.
Be practical. Be helpful. Be prepared.
ping
Many FReepers made their “bug-out” kits after 9/11. Most of the same rules apply here.
surgical face mask (not the types you mow your lawn with),
rubber gloves,
antibiotic soap (don't use until flu in your area or you will become immune to it)
antibiotic (actually anti-viral) spray (lysol?),
anti-viral medications (tamiflu),
and "quarantine gear" in case one member of your family gets it (bed sheets, extra trash bag, extra linens, ....stuff you will throw away when the symptoms disappear).
Basically, you can "what if" all day....just having a plan and some simple solutions to your "wargaming" scenarios will give you peace of mind.
I am the health and safety officer for my company here in Tokyo. Beginning tomorrow I am going to recommend strongly that everyone wear face masks everywhere outside the home, and try to make it mandatory in the office.
Additionally, I am going to get an ear-type thermometer and ensure that everyone gets their temperature checked when arriving at the office. Persons who feel they may have been exposed will be encouraged to telework to the greatest extent possible.
For Tokyoites, I see the daily commute as the biggest exposure risk because Tokyo trains are crowded beyond belief and a single infected person could conceivably infect half a crowded train car with devastating consequences.
On a more personal note, I have on hand, 60 liters of bottled water, more than 10 kilos of rice, an assortment of high protein foods including canned fish, refried beans, and a well stocked pantry filled with the usual stuff so if I have to stay at home and telework, I can do that too.
I would say just have enough food water and sanitary and cleaning supplies to lockdown for an extended time period. Probably a month or so would be good. If you could avoid crowds for that period of time you may escape it.
Great idea. However, I recommend a temporal thermometer as they are more accurate and less intrusive.
Tell your kids and their friends/parents not to eat finger foods but to get school lunches that have been cooked and are to be eaten with utensiles. Pack a lunch if not eaten with hands. And don’t share drinks. Stress they must wash their hands frequently and immediately upon coming home. If someone isn’t feeling well, to stop kissing, hugging, and handholding.
I don’t know how long a virus can live without a host but I wouldn’t buy fresh produce right now. And no eating out either.
I think the key s to figure out how to be self sufficient with no government services of any kind for at least 3 months. That includes security, limited or no access to medical providers, and utilities like electric and municipal water
I have started downloading some files in case there is no internet access. Here is one with a lot of medical perspective:
http://fluwikie.com/uploads/Consequences/NewGuideOct7b.pdf
Master site
http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu/resources/emergency/emergency_pandemic.html
I intend to stockpile 6 months of pet food, 3 months of water and food, and have on hand materials and instructions for purifying water, making fire, and caching and storing and preserving food.
I have begun studying herbal medicine and have ordered some stuff. Here is one site I used:
http://www.med-owl.com/health/H5N1-Virus-Therapy.html
I've also looked up how to make homemade masks- not as good as the high end professional stuff but cheap and good to know for an extended emergency,
My original plan was to travel to a rural area, but I think if you do that you will have to move quickly, the government will use its domestic military branch to block the roads and bridges and tunnels and enforce community quarantines (shades of “Outbreak”). I do have a good set of maps in my car showing all the secondary roads in my region.
I already pay my bills online and have my pay deposited electronically so will do the best I can to keep up without mail delivery ... figure everyone will be in the same boat there.
Should I really hold back on my anti-bacterial hand wash? Will it be counter productive? (kill off good germs, etc..)
Been reading a lot about homeopathic alternatives-Vitamins-multi,C and D in higher doses. Gut health is key-a good pro-biotic, fish oil, and coconut oil are (perhaps) good ideas.
I also love my Netti pot! No, I'm not smoking anything!
The above being used-something still kicked my arse a few weeks ago. Coughing, complete congestion-ughh, it was the worst...
Millions of people get the flu every year. Some of them die from the flu, every year. In Countries where health care is minimal, flu can and is fatal to many people with weakened systems, every year.
The media is having a slow news week, so what better to fill the airwaves with than rumors of an impending “epidemic” or “pandemic” to scare people into paying attention to something other than the full scale assault on their Freedom and their bank accounts by the DemocRats??
There is a very good chance that you might contract the flu, even the “swine flu”, but there is no reason to panic, or to promote panic. Chances are good that this latest variant of influenza is not going to kill you, especially if you are in reasonably good health and just live your life like you normally do.
It’s also not time to retreat to the bomb shelter and hide, but if you do be sure and take plenty of tin foil with you to augment the emergency rabbit ears...
sheesh!
I do agree with you to an extent. If this does become something big-yes, most healthy people will not die, etc. The concern is the amount of potential sick calls and school absences, as well as panic runs to hospitals. The economy does not really need more of a drag on it. Who needs businesses and schools full of sick people?
Don't get me wrong. All of this is surely a big IF...but just what IF?
BEST DANG ADVICE POSTED YET! Ahem...calm down folks. It ain’t the Black Death. The MSM has spent the last 48 hrs. whipping up the hysteria. As said. “Slow news week.”
Someone on another thread posted this link regarding the use of Vitamin D to prevent flu:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/51913.php
Stock up on Tamiflu. Have surgical masks and wear them when you MUST go out in public. Have plenty of germ killing hand cleaner and use it every time you touch something that someone else may have touched. Try to avoid cash money.
If you have kids in schools and it begins to look to you like it is dangerous to send them in with the herd, make arrangements for and tell school officials, you will be home schooling your children. You do not have to wait for the officials to cancel school and you may have to make financial sacrifices for a year to protect them if this thing is spreading.
Can FR dub this the “Mexican flu?” It emphasizes the dangers of open borders and illegal immigration.
Past flu pandemics:
1918 Spanish flu
1957 Asian flu
1968 Hong Kong flu
Any idea whether having had a flu shot this winter would
offer any protection?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.