Woodstock suggested starting a new thread and I know the new policy also is to keep them short, so…
I thought reversion to the old name format a good idea and asked, aloud, if there was any objection. No replies? Okay!
Woodstock:
I had a hasty look at the Shelter in Place thread about high rises and blocks. Complex indeed, as so many different neighbourhoods, sizes of buildings, individual circumstances!
I’ll chew on that overnight and re-read tomorrow. Also the comments were through Yank eyes (how else should they be?) and may not accurately reflect our social conditions….
Nikolai: yes indeed. i do get a bit annoyed at the view that because thats how it is in the US thats how it is everywhere. Most Wikians seems to realise its not, but the vocal minority really get under my ocker skin!
Nikolai: Now we are all in trouble . . . Woodstock said the ocker word!!
oh dear. must’ve forgotten my prozac today ;)
We’ll all be a little ockerish if PF51 occurs, won’t we?
I had a look at that thread too Woodstock, and I think things are quite different over here - if only because our apartments/units/flats/townhouses tend to be much larger than American ones, and the blocks of apartments/units/flats/townhouses tend to be smaller. (I’m including all of those as an NZ friend recently didn’t recognise one of them - though I can’t remember which one!)
Check out the recent WHO item http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25263165.htm i reckon stage 4 is not too far away - read the last paragraph
clark – at 20:40
Led Torches in Australia (some last 100s of hours on a set of batteries):
http://www.ledshoponline.com/24_led-flashlight.htm
I think they would know where to get solar panels local.
I must have missed Clark at 20:40 - most camping/outdoors or army surplus places carry a range of LED torches. Hey, I even got one from Crazy Clarks a while back (and it even works!)
Hey NPB, when the WHO say stage 4 I’m going to assume it’s stage 5 :-)
ugh…i just hate to think we cant trust the WHO folks. I like to think of the UN as the good guys…
BF confirmed in Bali. http://abcasiapacific.com/news/stories/asiapacific_stories_1624302.htm
NS 1:
G’day, mate! Nice light touch, you have. Just the thought of what we’ll all be if PF51 occurs makes me cross-eyed now. It’s all enough to drive a bloke bonkers, I reckon.
You take care of yourself, you hear?
Towards the end of the previous thread, there was a fellow kiwi asking about solar panels for power supply. If you search the web using google (NZ pages only) and “solar panels”, there are several NZ suppliers listed.
Also the story about Bali and the infected ducks smuggled from Java, here is a report on Promed but it does not mention they were smuggled, as the news story I read 9and cannot find) did. The link http://tinyurl.com/pl2dl
have a good day
Please, any comments on our national ‘Pandemic Plan’ in regard to keeping electricity, water, etc going here? I read it, but some time ago and there’s so much else!
My impression is our numnber-one priority is keeping all of the utilities functioning and allocating antivirals to workers in such key industries as well as healthcare, police, etc…
Heavy concerns on other threads—and consensus seems to be a total collapse of such services in a quite short time due to absenteeism and social breakdown.
“Gas Water Power” and “Social Unrest” especially anxious. I can’t believe it, but what do I know?
i hate to say it but i think Tony Abbot is pretty well informed about the possible consequences. I actually think they’re doing a reasonable job of preparing even if they seem to be adverse to getting the general populace to do the same
Nikolai,
I saw your comments on one of the water threads and thought you might find this interesting.
http://www.pwgazette.com/gravity.htm
Parts should all be available down there with no problems, add a couple of small plastic tubs and something to carry water in and you have a compact, inexpensive water system. You might want to a carbon filter to clean up the taste and pull chemicals out of the water as well. This is a way to make almost any water drinkable, only other thing I do is add bleach after filtering.
Corky52:
Many thanks. I live in western Sydney, not far from the start of the Nepean River below Warragamba Dam, so am interested in possible emergency water from that nearby source!
Tony Abbott actually went _way_ up in my estimation when I found out he is a volunteer fire fighter!
See “Islands” and rejoice (tongue in cheek) that we are where we are. I think we have as good a chance down here as just about any habitable geographical location.
Anybody considering emmigrating?
I caught something about an article in our ‘Daily Telegraph’ on impact of a flu pandemic. Has anyone seen something just in this last day or two? A communications collapse?
didnt see that one Nikolai but will see what i can find
Everything is old-hat to some, startling new revelation to others, so here goes:
I just realised the implications, and read “Swimming Pool as Source of Drinking Water” thread.
What a source of emergency water—and would be refilled at intervals when electricity, water available in the suburb.
Community and private pools would constitute a LOT of water! Even if everyone couldn’t get there, the many who could would take enormous pressure off the supply system.
does anyone know where in Oz we can buy Mylar bags?
Nikolai---Sydney – at 03:5
Water to put out unintended fires.
Nikolai---Sydney – at 03:52 Pool water
Water to put out unintended fires.
Centella - currently country fire brigades will use pool water (if there’s no water source close) to fill their tankers - they can pump it out of pools. Generally they then replace it afterwards, when the fire threat is over.
has anyone seen noted any news about BF at all in our papers? It seems to have fallen completely off the radar here…
W’S:
I think we need that vaunted ‘over the horizon radar’ now.
There’s certainly enough infected birds to track in our near northern neighbour…
I feel no sense of rising awareness in media or my contacts. I’m surrounded by four million unprepared neighbours. No way do I, persoanlly, feel as many as 40 000 are preparing. No way.
That would be…..ONE PERCENT of the population of Sydney.
I agree, the media here in Aus has been extrem quiet and our govt very quiet compared to US, UK and NZ who seem very very prepared in terms of health communication to citizens. When will ours start?? actually you would have thought with the Kovco dramas we might have seen it as a great media diversion- hmm what a day and lets see…..
Evening all! I haven’t been seeing anything in the media, nor am I aware of 1% of the population of the west coast prepping for anything either. I had thought that after the Commonwealth Games there might be some more news, but apparently not.
I agree Nikola - I thought there would be enough news from Indonesia alone to fill our presses.
Hi folks. The attached link is to an article (column feature really) in a local newspaper, written by a legal advisor to remind employers of their obligations. The provision of a safe workplace is open for interpretation and many are of the view that any infectious illness comes into the category.
You may (or may not) find it interesting - the key factors are employment and health and safety law cannot be ignored. Is this being considered or discussed across the ditch?
AnnieB:
Wow! Yet again we raise the chorus of praise for NZ’s great awareness and participation. And I have just come off reading main wiki posts and laments. Well, Australia has its work cut out, I don’t have to worry about the US problems. I just pray for them this thing doesn’t go pandemic. The widespread consensus seems to be of massive disorder, complete failure of utility supplies, and breakdown of government—including insurrection if the government attempts to enforce workers in critical infrastructure actually working.
‘You pays yer money, ya takes yer choice.’ as they say.
Just a word to the wise: My dr (a very level headed person) says she is “cr*pping herself” regarding the information she is getting from government sources here in Oz regarding the flu…
Woodstock:
You’re falling into my bad habits! I know what I mean, but do the readers?
Your doctor is 1) upset at the poor and lacking info from the government? 2) upset at the alarming nature of such info?
I’m not playing games, I really want to know!
All:
I encountered this below on a distant thread, posted by author ‘Prepper Australis’ and for the accuracy of which I cannot vouch. (Wiki rule: no link, etc, caution in reliance.)
I quote Prepper Australis:
“For what it’s worth, and I know that it’s not the topic of this particular thread, but I have medico friends in Adelaide (a gp and a specialist) who know someone on the Australian government’s pandemic advisory board and that person has told them that a flu pandemic is imminent and that they should start preparing.”
Interesting, as local source. All around the world, ‘experts’ are saying the same thing, but a particular weight originating hereabouts, I feel.
Ultimate question, here and every source, what does ‘Imminent’ mean to say? In terms of 1918 pandemic level, three to five years? Or imminent like my next electricity bill?
I’ll have to try and catch up with my medical friend - I don’t usually see her that often, but I’ll see how I go.
When I saw her a month ago, she seemed to think it was coming, but wasn’t sure when (short term or long term). She also said they had received alot of info from the govt last year, but that it had dried up recently.
Nikolai: you are right paisan. I should have elaborated. My Dr has been to whatever has been available for information from our government regarding the flu. The result of that information is that she is now alarmed at what is at our door. She said that the folks involved in vaccine production are all running about like headless chooks ( u should pardon the reference!) and that there are quite draconian measure planned to contain infection. She told me “Unless you like army rations…start planning NOW” I was quite cagey about my own preps…i am a cautious soul by nature. She told me she would show me how to put in an IV line (i have a little medical background) as the “more people who can do those things the better”. She also said that after the dozens of patients she had tried to speak to regarding this…i am the first to listen. Now THATS scary……..
Nicolai,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - I was away from the computer for a while (kids starting school again tomorrow). The information obtained from the representative on the advisory board is a few months old now, and of course, is not first hand information, so I’m always skeptical (hence my reference “for what it’s worth”). That’s all the information that they were willing to divulge, but it clearly sent them into a spin and they took the advice very seriously. As a consequence, they have been prepping.
That discussion also led me to begin prepping in earnest. I know of no others doing the same apart from others here on the Wiki, and I remain very concerned about the lack of understanding of the issue here in Australia. The potential for H7N3 and H5N1 to acquire characteristics from each other has me very concerned, despite the news being very quiet at the moment.
Ohhh, mam! Sorry I asked! I had hoped you would cite option one: little or no info!
Then you ‘have to make it worse’ do you, lady?
“She also said that after the dozens of patients she had tried to speak to regarding this…i am the first to listen. Now THATS scary…….”
Woodstock, you ain’t wrong. THAT is the scariest part of it.
So…with all else, what? We preppers, worldwide, must give serious thought indeed to the implications of OUR being well fed, well hydrated, clean and groomed, in an emaciated and haggard population.
We had as well carry a banner boasting our preparations. A word to the wise. I shall stop shaving, for one thing!
Comments?
said Dr says she will prescribe me antibiotics after she gave me a pop-quiz regarding my medical knowledge ie; how to tell whether its a bacterial or viral infection etc etc. She said if she was just a general person she’d go to the Dr and say she had earache…(they dole out antibiotics for anything these days) then hoard them. This coming from a medic I know to be a “by the numbers” person generally is quite disconcerting. She did however say “You’ll be one of the survivors” after our rather long chat, which really made my day :)
Prepper Australis:
My disclaimer was pro forma. I never doubted you or the authenticity of the information you shared. Thank you so!
Your final comment betrays above average technical background. Have you read Monotreme’s current post on H5N1’s likely ability to achieve increased transmissibility WITHOUT any necessary reduction of lethality? Not new, but cogent and compelling.
Replacement of the H5 (which doesn’t bond readily to the upper respiratory tract) with for example an H7, (which does) would do the trick. I utterly agree with your concern.
Do the trick not just for the virus, maybe for all of us.
I wish you and yours well.
Nicolai,
Thanks for the reply. I’m relatively new to posting on the Wiki, and as such have only replied when I thought I had something useful to add.
I have been following Monotreme’s current post, although I haven’t checked it lately, and will do so shortly. [Just to let you know, I have a PhD in the molecular biology of bacterial viruses] Thanks for your best wishes, same to you and yours. P.A.
Prepper Australis: Welcome to you and yours. I know we will all be very grateful to have one such as yourself posting.
You have to love a good conspiracy theory - especially with an author name such as mine!
read this its from last yr re BF and Australia http://www.atsnn.com/story/175955.html
Woodstock, Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated. Regards P.A.
Nikolai---Sydney: I am a Yank, but I am going to bust in here anyhow. You and I have been thinking along the same lines as far as the danger of having a fat and prosperous physical appearance. Besides going unshaven, a light touch with cosmetics to give a more ashen look might be the thing. Also, maybe employ something to make the eyes look red and rheumy for the brief periods of time that you might have to venture out. Also, lose weight on purpose while still maintaining a healthy diet.
If things go really bad with a high CFR, all you have to do is get by the first two months without attracting unwanted attention. After that period of time many who would cause you trouble will have passed on to the great beyond.
In the book “900 Days” about the seige of Leningrad it was reported that the starving population would often take out their ire on those who looked fat and pink-cheeked. They figured they were cannibals or black marketeers, (or both).
Medical Maven—08:44
From time to time it has been agreed and reinforced that this thread, though useful for a minority to share specific info, is totally welcoming to anyone. Just as we have found welcome on even the most ‘American’ of pages! Your advice is very much appreciated.
Your tips and encouragement good. Also remember ill-fed folk walk very differently! Slowly, shoulders rounded, even the back bent forward slightly. A brisk, graceful stride is again equivalent to carrying a dangerous sign!
I have read many of your well-informed posts over the past few months. Many, many thanks.
for the fist time in my life i’m glad that i’m already toooo skinny!
Woodstock:
Should you also stock some hair tint for disguise? I mean, grey colour!
LOL <I think…>
Nikolai—Sydney: We may have to join an actor’s guild. Keep your wit and piercing observations coming.
Nikolai: i’m already grey! With the 1000′s of kids i have anyone would be! Am doing the “Worlds Greatest Shave” thing this week..being underweight already i may end up looking like a refugee from Belsen.
Hi preppers australis - I love that phrase.
You may have seen another thread regarding the Kiwi book - please make sure you see it. I have put the link in that thread for purchasing the book online. (I don’t know how to create a link to another thread.)
As to “imminent” - I feel like I am waiting for that dreaded visit to the dentist where you know he (she) is going to tut-tut a lot and eventually things are going to hurt! But you keep putting off the appointment as long as possible.
Hi all, and welcome to the ANZ thread Prepper Australis and Medical Maven!
I agree about the need to hide your prepped appearance. I guess if/when the water goes off, that’s when people will start looking unwashed, so keep up with that as far as you can - if you don’t have enough water stored for regular showers and clothes washing that shouldn’t be a big problem anyway.
Prepper Australis - do you know what information is currently being sent out to GPs? Also, are you in WA (your comment about your kids going back to school today) - so am I :-)
My balcony overlooks a fairly busy street. Though i expect it will be less busy if TSHTF! I am thinking of getting some plants that provide a bit more privacy…something with a hedge like appearance. That way the sun can still shine intomy balcony for my little garden and us…but would prevent anyone else looking in. Any comments?
Good idea Woodstock! Maybe get some edible plants to make them dual purpose. Some small fruit trees (cumquat, pixie peach) or large herbs (rosemary). Put a table or bench out there so that you can have two tiers of plants to maximise the privacy they give.
Citrus (normal size) grow quite happily in large pots but the bottom of them won’t offer much screening.
hmm..thats a good idea re the citrus. I have some teeny little greenhouse things meant for raising seedling that i hope to grow a few things in. Also a bean sprouter with 3 levels thats only takes up about 30cm square on a bench. I have a large courtyard but it as at ground level, the balcony is at the 1st floor level, so i’d prefer to use that for obvious reasons.
If your courtyard isn’t all paved, maybe try bamboo or Hibiscus as a screening plant and the edibles on your balcony? The sprouter will definitely make a good source of food for you - make sure you get some seeds. And you can use the greenhouses for growing things like tomatos if it’s not warm enough.
Another good screening plant is Hardenbergia or Australian Wisteria as it’s sometimes called. That will cover a fence, but takes a couple of years.
Also consider some scented plants in case your nose needs a break - the scented geraniums grow easily (and quite large!), smell great and the citronella one supposedly keep insects away (though ours doesn’t seem to do much in that regard).
Brilliant! Thanks Azi!
Since we’re getting into some fairly specific areas, just wondering if anyone is thinking about communications? I’ve read the Communication thread, but as frequencies and usage are country-specific, there’s not alot of practical info for those of us “down under”.
I have a (very) little experience in radio, though a big interest :-) I have two scanner units - a desktop and a handheld which runs off batteries, plus walkie talkies (approx 2km range in the real world) and an old shortwave radio from my uncle which also runs off batteries. I don’t know much about shortwave at all, but seem to mainly pick up asian language stations on it. I haven’t tried looking for Radio Australia, but will do so - frequency guide here - http://www.abc.net.au/ra/tuning/shortwave_window.htm
I think the scanners will be useful as hearing what the emergency services are doing would be extremely useful for a whole variety of reasons. My handheld is an earlier model of one of these http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/D2764%0A you might like to add one of these antennas (or similar) to improve the range of your reception (though the inbuilt one should be adequate in a metro area) http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/D4433%0A
The walkie talkies are probably destined to live one with me, one with a neighbour, though they’re also useful if you need to get out of town and need to communicate with another car or person in convoy not too far away. Something like these should do OK http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/D1848%0A
(NB I don’t work for or have any other connection to Dick Smith Electronics, just that they are a national retailer of this stuff and have a website :-)
Old thread - Closed to increase Forum speed.