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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...