We often think our lives are so secure and things are going to always be the same, but it could all so easily disappear with the next viral mutation or careless diagnosis.

Last week I saw a news show (I think it was on ABC) concerning how to deal with natural disasters. One of the potential natural threats they discussed was Avian Flu, a particularly nasty disease. I've been thinking about it on and off every since.

Related story
Prompt response

Its quite a lot to consider if the virus does make the jump from birds to humans since it doesn't look like we or the rest of the world are ready to deal with another flu pandemic (like in 1918 link ). Imagine The Stand coming to a neighborhood near you!

In my case, there's a good chance my wife and son wouldn't survive. My son might make it, but my wife has had a string of lung problems and during the course of the TV show we were watching we casually said to each other that she was gone if it broke out. Funny we were so casual about it, but it really got me thinking about how it would change my life, let alone the world's.

How would society change if we saw a mortality rate of 50% sweep the world? Imagine children and the elderly being wiped out. Teens survive only to be orphaned. Wives become widows. Dogs and cats living together! Mass HYSTERIA!

So how would you deal with such an event? Did a hole and wait for death? Head for the hills? Join the Red Cross or the Army?

Heavy stuff.

Last edited: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 6:15:56 AM

Sorry to say Rabban but the world is not ready for an epidemic from the avian flu. A population explotion of avian flu would be disastrous. Governments do not carry enough vaccines.

I was listening to talk back radio here in Australia, and the quantity of vaccines available would ensure that politions live another day, while we all fall one by one.

On a scary note, a world run by politicians.... Hmmm makes you wonder who would (a) tell the truth (b) do back breaking labour, and (c) see the above.

Shame with the amount of money in the world, an avian flu epidemic would be like Cyclone Katrina. The world watches but noone is interested in acting promptly.

SSMe

I am not going outside...I am not going outside...I am not going outside...

@ SSM - That's pretty much the conclusion. So I'm just wondering how folks feel about the world that will come as a result.

*sudders* :S

MOMEY HE WONT STOP SCARING ME!!!(and im serious you scared my ass right outta my bottom)

:[ :[ :[ :[ :S :S :S :S :( :( :( :(

Since reading this thread, I started trying to find other articles/blogs etc. To learn more about it and what measures I can take to "CYA" (but mine). It looks like this tamiflu is part of the arsenal...it looks like it's available for sale now? If it's not too pricey (and if I can?), I'm might start buying some doses.

Sounds like masks with N95 rating are what are being prescribed as well. If we do end up having to ride it out in our homes, time to start buying some canned goods, bottled water...

I've always wondered at what point do you start preparing for tragedies like this? I mean, do I need to buy a shotgun and shells as well for people who try to take my tamiflu? I realize some of these may seem extreme, but based on what I've been reading, it sounds like we can only count on WHO and good ole' Uncle Sam for so much.

Tamiflu was mentioned on the TV show I was watching, but like Prof said, there ain't enough of it. I think they're trying to get more made (just in case), but every nation is looking to increase their stockpiles so it may be awhile before we see it in stores. The N95 masks sounds like a *really* good idea, at least to keep from getting sick, but the Prof is also correct in thinking about a little external self protection too. I guess those families with bomb shelters are in the best position since they're already preparing for such an event and yes, we're going to have to be willing to defend ourselves from those "grasshoppers" out there who didn't prepare and think they're entitled to what you've stored up for your family.

Its really hard to think about and prepare for an event on this sort of scale, especially if you're unable to realize that those support systems we're all so used to having around for services and help just won't be there. Then there are those loons who are sick and think you don't deserve to live even if you're naturally immune. If we think the first few days after Katrina were bad, consider the same situation spreading across America with half of those exposed to the flu dying.

Talk about your "new world order". :S

Just a thing to toss in: The Mayans predicted the apocalypse for 2012. I kid you not. :S Yeah, "new world order" sounds about right.

Avian Flu = Media Scare Tactic.

"Oh my god! ABC predicted the end! I better watch them more."

Yup^ they take advantage of these things...

I'm not denying it's existance, but the media tends to milk things like this. Remember those killer bees? Funny, funny stuff.

And Y2K. It was fun watching the nutjobs run for cover.

The bees are there in Houston and stuff... There just isn't a lot of them.

Last edited: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 3:23:50 PM

More recent stories.

Indonesia says bird flu outbreak an epidemic
PBS Wide Angle

OK, yes, the media can exploit any story. For some reason this story is popping up more and more in the media, but then that's not a reason to ignore the message. I'm sure it would make a lot of us feel better if we could just say it was media hype, but then that's just a "bury my head in the sand" tactic.

During last night's coverage on Wide Angle, they discussed a situation where a family had a personal outbreak with a son, daughter and grandfather catching the virus from sharing an infected duck. The daughter recovered nicely and the son has permanant lung damage, but the grandfather never showed any symptoms. He was the scary one since the virus lives on in him. He's giving it an opportunity to adapt to humans while remaining a carrier. Someday it could jump from him, ready to take on the world.

So that raises an ethical question. Should we kill the grandfather?

Predator!

Anyone heard of the west nile virus?
spread by mosquitos