Posted on 07/29/2005 7:06:04 PM PDT by Judith Anne
This thread is for specific questions and answers about preparing for Avian Flu in the US. News articles and discussion about the Avian Flu can be found here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1399613/posts
Everyone who was on the Avian Flu Surveillance Project ping list will be on this ping list. If you want on or off this list, please let me or Dog Gone know. Thanks.
It's a shame the same effect could not have prevent the 3rd Reich in 1939, Japan in 41 too.
To think this year's hurricane season does not technical conclude until November. A TV weatherman stated the water temperature in large portions of Gulf of Mexico is 85 degrees. It's like a giant self-heated whirlpool.
Fill up the gas tank now since it looks like another round of energy price hikes. Oil, Gasoline Rise as Hurricane Rita Shuts Gulf of Mexico Rigs
Since real Fall weather (cooler) takes a lot longer to reach Gulf coastal areas hopefully that will lessen any forms of flu outbreak.
In another week or so the regular flu shot shall be available.
I'm laying in a supply of some of the things you mention. We are really in for it.
I intend to get that regular flu shot. No way am I going to face Bird Flu when weakened.
The ones laughing about the subject now will be the worst to panic. While on the other hand we understand now and are taking the necessary precautions, the best we can.
Pleas add me the the ping list.
Thanks.
That is a very well taken point.
PaMom
We're going to die, but in the meantime, could you ping me?
For background, read the book "The Great Influenza".
Pretty interesting stuff.
add me too. thanks.
Please sign me up for the ping listing.
Hi, everyone.
It's been a long time since I've been able to tend to my lists and pings, and I'm not sure it's something I'll ever be able to completely catch up on. I just have a few thoughts I'd like to share, with apologies to anyone who may have been accidently left off this list:
1. Now that the media, worldwide, are starting to pay a lot of attention to Avian Flu, there will surely be a lot of rumors and bad information. Here's a link Mother Abigail gave me last night on another thread, that will help us know when the shit hits the fan:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/case-count/avflucount.html
My recommendation: Read for curiosity all the rumors and scary articles. Then, just check the CIDRAP link to decide if you want to worry or not.
2. We can all order Tamiflu, Amantadine, and other antivirals ON LINE. They're a bit expensive. My recommendation is, don't pay for anything until you have a firm commitment for a delivery date. After all, you don't want to be waiting until next summer to get yours. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor for a prescription for it, and tell him you want it on hand. Most doctors will understand and give it to you. When you get it filled at the pharmacy TELL THE PHARMACIST YOU WANT THE LONGEST EXPIRATION DATE YOU CAN GET for your prescription, and find out what the expiration date is.
Then, don't take the antiviral UNTIL and UNLESS Avian Flu is in your state.
3. Look for herbal antivirals: Sambucol is non-prescription, has shown research effectiveness against ordinary influenza, and is available online. Take this according to directions anytime you want. Lay in a good supply. Most effective herbal antivirals have an elderberry base. Ricola makes a cough drop with elderberry concentrate. I'm going to get some of that along with my homemade elderberry syrup, because I come into contact with the public. Other herbs effective against viruses include turmeric. You can easily find more information online, and if you do, please share it here. Remember: we are looking for ANTIVIRALS! Thanks. ;-D
3. Find out what your local health department and emergency management rules and laws are. You may or may not choose to abide by them. If you choose not to, you will need an alternate location. Find one.
4. Stock up on stuff you can't live without. Food, drinking water, etc. Remember: New Orleans had NO IDEA it would be totally destroyed two months ago. I personally have some very very nice bottles of expensive alcohol that I plan to trade for whatever I need (meanwhile, it makes a pretty home bar!), should the time come, in addition to a freezer full of food, a generator, and extra gasoline. ;-D Even if you don't smoke, a couple cartons of cigarettes would be a good idea. You can always trade them.
4. Get a way to communicate if there's no electricity: one of those hand crank short wave thingies. (On my to do list).
5. Any other suggestions? Being armed and having ammunition go without saying. In the boonies, you can feed and protect yourself...
One more teeny tiny thing to prepare:
DON'T TELL ANYONE!
Because you are all FReepers, and I love you, I'm going to just say this one time:
Suppose you have enough Tamiflu for yourself and your aged parent. Suppose the lady next door with four children comes over with big weeping eyes and begs you for it.
JUST KEEP YOUR PREPARATIONS TO YOURSELF!
That's a really good idea, and I recommend it to everyone.
Unlike soemthing like an earthquake, or even a tornado - we have ample warning here so all I can suggest, in addition to your above mentioned, prepare as if there is a Cat5 hurricane or a major blizzard bearing down upon you and evacuation is NOT an option.
One more comment:
Suppose there IS no Avian Flu pandemic. Suppose the world dodges the bullet this year, in time for an effective vaccine to be developed and everyone vaccinated...(Suppose pigs fly...)
What have you wasted? What have you lost, through preparation? Nothing...if you get the ordinary flu, well, you already have Tamiflu or whatever. If you get laid off, you have enough toilet paper, food and water to get you through the next month or so with minimal shopping. If gasoline gets expensive, you have a bunch of stuff you don't need to buy, you can pay for your gas.
Preparation ALWAYS makes sense.
Preparation means you don't have to worry. Preparation is the antithesis of panic. If you don't have car insurance, that's when you'll have an accident, if you do, you won't. Isn't that the way it always is?
Thanks. ;-D
Did you see NOVA last night? The family profiled had 3 who tested positive. The young man (18?) nearly died and has some permanent repercussions. The young girl (10?) recovered fully. The grandfather (80) was completely asymptomatic.
......but this time I really mean it.....
It was an avian flu.
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