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To: RottiBiz
If there's an outbreak in my area, she won't leave the house until the CDC has vaccinations on the ground, which will probably be within 48 hours of a confirmed case.

You are absolutely right! The only defense against smallpox, other than vaccination, is isolation. Think: Quarantine.

But, remember, you have to isolate EVERYONE in your household until the vaccinations are made available. The previously vaccinated members of the family could still bring the virus home on their clothing, etc. and infect your daughter. No work, no visitors, no mail, no new supplies (food, water). Nothing comes in from outside the home. No contact with the outside world whatsoever.

It would only be for a few days at most and the only sure way to keep your daughter safe.

I'm a nurse, with an unvaccinated son, and this is exactly what I intend to do if a smallpox outbreak occurs in my area.

Congratulations! You've figured it out. Most people have no idea WHY anyone would want to have a few days of food, water, etc. stored at home. A bunch of kooks, they tell us.

The big problem, however, is this: How are we going to know soon enough that there is a smallpox outbreak so that this can become a reliable strategy? The problem is that the public health authorities are unlikely to know for sure until quite a few people have already become infected, and there will be unidientified contageous people out there continuing to infect others even after they have made a firm diagnosis. There is also no certainty that the government is going to be quick to announce this. They will know that most people will be as underprepared as the government itself, and will be greatly concerned about mass panic. Also, while YOU will want to be hidden away out of infection's range, THEY will want you to be at work, preferably oblivious to the danger, at least until they have gotten their own ducks in a row (and their own and their own kids behinds vaccinated).

93 posted on 10/27/2001 1:55:23 PM PDT by Stefan Stackhouse
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To: Stefan Stackhouse
The big problem, however, is this: How are we going to know soon enough that there is a smallpox outbreak so that this can become a reliable strategy?

Seeing as how smallpox has been eradicated, the appearance of even ONE case will let you know.

97 posted on 10/27/2001 2:03:51 PM PDT by TomB
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To: Stefan Stackhouse
The big problem, however, is this: How are we going to know soon enough that there is a smallpox outbreak so that this can become a reliable strategy?

My plan is (hopefully never to be used) following the first announcement of ONE CASE on your local news, it's time for lockdown quarantine. You stay home, use whatever you have at home to eat and drink (the water supply should be OK but I'll still use bottled or stored water) and listen to your local radio and local TV station for instructions. The health department will set up mass vaccinations and at that time you leave your quarantined home and go for your first vaccination or your booster.

This should give you 100% protection from the virus UNLESS someone in your household had already been infected. If someone in your family had already been infected and should become ill, that person would have to be separated from the rest of the family and one of the previously vaccinated persons would go with that person to another part of the house and stay there until the vaccinations become available.

It's doable, folks. Just remember: Isolation, isolation, isolation! No co-mingling. Forget the job, school, everything, until you get your vaccination and you'll be OK.

Remember, smallpox is not contagious before the rash breaks out and the patient is feeling very sick before the rash appears so you should be able to isolate him before he or she infects the rest of the family.

138 posted on 10/27/2001 4:32:10 PM PDT by RottiBiz
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