Preparing for pandemic: know how to bury your dead

Reuters ^ | Wed Feb 15, 2006 | Andrew Stern

[little jeremiah]

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - When burying a body in the backyard, don't put it too close to the septic system. That was one piece of advice offered on Wednesday to a business conference on preparing for a potentially lethal bird flu andemic.

Preparations for a global flu pandemic, which many experts believe is overdue, have begun but the grisly details are horrific and the number of sick could quickly overwhelm the health care system.

Needed supplies of even common medical supplies such as surgical masks and gloves are in doubt, not to mention the syringes needed for an as-yet undeveloped vaccine and costly mechanical ventilators.

[little jeremiah]

But what does it say about home cremations?

[steve86]

I am not paying as much attention to this as I was a while ago, since winter's nearing its end.

Yes, but that's when the birds come home to roost.

[little jeremiah]

But it's still high tech and costly, compared to home cremation. I've got all kinds of brush piles that need to be burned anyway.

[little jeremiah]

I always appreciate being alerted to relevant articles! I got N95 masks from Gempler's a while ago and if the H5N1 does hit us hard, I intend to do my best to not get it along with anyone else I can help. I don't think my purposes on earth are finished yet.

And if nothing happens, masks are always useful for painting and other jobs.

[ansel12]

"
I am not paying as much attention to this as I was a while ago, since winter's nearing its end. But I want to remain alert and stay informed. The world is a dangerous place and bad things do happen. Being a pollyanna is not my style, nor is digging a giant hole, climbing in and pulling it in after me."

Preparation for one emergency is almost the same as for any emergency. My advice is, when a situation, whatever it is, Y2K, 9-11, Katrina, bird flu, a housing bust, triggers your interest in preparation, then run with it. Every person should have at least six weeks of everything, just rotate your supplies and when one threat comes and goes fine, but when a new threat is starting to be discussed, use that as a reminder to do a fresh inventory and updater on your previous preparations.

[little jeremiah]

I totally agree. And you can always use stuff if nothing happens.

[RipSawyer]

I'd rather be put on the compost pile before that.>>>>>>>>>

I have said the same thing to my wife!

[Publius]

That book that Bush read this summer looks interesting.

"The Stand"?

[Semi Civil Servant]

But what does it say about home cremations?

Not covered, either. But outdoor grills are OK. I guess I'll need to get a ruling, should the need arise.

[jiggyboy]

Best lead sentence ever!

[kms61]

Barry also wrote a book about the great flood of 1927. I hope his writing this book isn't an omen for history repeating itself again.

[mugs99]

Preparations for a global flu pandemic, which many experts believe is overdue, have begun but the grisly details are horrific and the number of sick could quickly overwhelm the health care system.

When the "AIDS Pandemic" broke in 1980, they told us that mankind would be on the verge of extinction from AIDS by the year 2000.

Where are the bodies?
.

[Razz Barry]

"Where are the bodies?"

Your tax dollars are keeping them alive.

If we do have a flu pandemic HIV/AIDS patients will be the first to receive any vaccine available. The old, the sick, politicians, health care workers and children will be first served, leaving those who keep things running to die. At least that's how the story in my head goes.

[squibs]

I love that movie.
Never read the book.
Watch it several times a year (thinking - what if?).

[Hank Rearden]

I think I see the makings of Bush's next trillion-dollar burden on taxpaying Americans.

[blam]

"Can't get it if one isn't around people who have it. Not counting bird poop from the sky, of course.

I haven't figured that on out yet. I have four outside dogs too.

[engrpat]

Read the book! It is a supper read.

[little jeremiah]

And AIDS is a lot harder to catch than the flu, avian or regular. Meaning if/or when avian flu goes H2H.

[mugs99]

Good point, but I don't think bird flu will be dangerous when it goes H2H. I could be wrong!
.

[mugs99]

At least that's how the story in my head goes

I think you're probably right.
.