There have been a lot of hysterical (and I don’t mean ROTFLMAO funny) posts and threads lately. Some people so expect an imminent pandemic that they see foreshocks in every event. “Sick pigs in China!” Sure it is concerning, but we do not know what has made those pigs sick yet. “Well the Chinese aren’t talking so it must be AI in the pigs!” Not necessarily.
There have been limited H2H clusters and on and on… all with no pandemic influenza.
If you hold your breath too long waiting for something to happen, the lack of oxygen does funny things to your brain. : )
I started this thread as an appeal to those who “believe/feel/think/sense” a pandemic is almost upon us, to breathe - just a little bit.
Everyone here is concerned about the possibility of a pandemic, but we need to keep things in perspective. Getting all worked up at this point is not going to solve anything.
I am suggesting that people relax a little bit. If you don’t want to, that’s your prerogative, but it would be nice to see the fear level cranked down a bit until if and when we actually have solid reasons for ratcheting it up.
Thank you for reading this post.
Hmmm…I didn’t sense any hysteria in recent posts. No large print, no all-caps, no excessive exclamation punctuation. It is difficult to perceive tone-of-voice in many of the posts here, but all I’ve seen regarding H5N1 in pigs is a news story, a question as to whether or not this was a tipping point, and an observation that (in cases like these) no news is bad news.
WHO urges Member States to be prepared for a pandemic
http://www.wpro.who.int/rcm/en/rc57/press_releases/pr_20060919.htm
Fifty-seventh session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific - 18 to 22 September 2006, Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand, 19 September 2006—The increasing threat from emerging infectious diseases makes it imperative that countries prepare for rapid response and containment activities and for a worst-case scenario such as an influenza pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised today.
In addition to taking urgent steps to prepare for an immediate response to emerging infectious diseases, such as avian influenza and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), public health officials also must focus on the mid- and long-term battle against these diseases, the international health agency said.
Many countries and areas do not have the required national and local core capacities in place, such as rapid response and containment activities, to avoid serious health threats, which have the potential to cause substantial economic and social disruption.
“Many health systems were undermanned and under-resourced when SARS struck, causing great human suffering, enormous fear and staggering economic losses,” said Dr Richard Nesbit, WHO acting Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
In response to these needs, the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, WHO’s governing body in the Western Pacific Region, today endorsed the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Group on the Implementation of the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED). The Regional Committee, composed of Member States in the Western Pacific, is meeting here to review WHO’s work in the Region and to plan for the future.
APSED serves as a road map for countries and areas to strengthen core capacities for effective preparedness, prevention, early detection and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. The Strategy was jointly developed by the WHO Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.
The Regional Committee also urged Member States to use the Strategy as a stepping stone towards the effective implementation of the revised International Heath Regulations, also known as IHR (2005). These regulations set out new obligations for the notification, verification, assessment of and response to significant public health threats. Although the IHR (2005) does not enter into force until June 2007, countries and areas in the Region have been requested to comply immediately and on a voluntary basis with provisions relevant to the risk posed by avian influenza and pandemic human influenza.
A few months after WHO declared the containment of SARS in July 2003, an outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) hit Asia and has since spread to Africa, Europe and the Middle East, an indication that the virus continues to present a threat. To date, more than 40 countries have reported outbreaks in either wild or domestic birds, or both.
The continuing threat of emerging diseases means that WHO Member States and the international community must mobilize resources necessary for strengthening country capacity, Dr Nesbit said.
“In the early stages of a potential pandemic, it may be possible to stop or delay the spread of the virus by swiftly implementing pandemic influenza rapid response and containment measures,” Dr Nesbit said. “If rapid interventions are successful, the severe adverse health, social and economic consequences expected to result from a pandemic might be prevented.”
The window of opportunity for action is very narrow because rapid globalization, urbanization, and increasing cross-border travel and trade can aid the spread of infectious disease. Dr Nesbit said: “Countries and areas must therefore prepare for such an eventuality and develop operational capacities and coordinating mechanisms to swiftly implement rapid containment measures, which also require close regional and international coordination and collaboration.”
Goju’s post sounded pretty hysterical. It has been a while since I have seen Dem actually tell someone to calm down.
There is also a post this morning in the news thread from worrywort that fits this bill.
Elder Berry, I’m with you. While I’m glad to see people preparing, I hope they realize that their preparations could just as well be for war, shipping interruptions, economic downturn or any type of natural disaster. Every single day holds the opportunity for some kind of disaster where one would need to be prepared, not just pandemic flu.
Being prepared is an ongoing process and a way of thinking, as well as the ability to keep a cool head and look at “the big picture”.
By the way, I was not referring to Goju’s post above which I have just seen. I was referring to the one with the caps the other day.
This is very good advice. Thoughts of a pandemic has really been getting to me latly-Ive even had a couple of nightmares. Yesterday I took a bunch of kids on a field trip and just really tried to enjoy a gorgous Sept. day. I had a few extra bucks at the end of some errands, and instead of buying yet another bag’o beans, I actually bought a fashion mag and a capaccino and just put my feet up for a bit and tried to chill. Feeling a little better this morning.I am terribly concerned about flu, but if we burn out NOW, we are not going to be of any use when it hits.
Kim – at 10:03
“Being prepared is an ongoing process and a way of thinking, as well as the ability to keep a cool head and look at “the big picture”. “
Very well said, Kim. Thank you. I wish I had said it. ; )
Green Mom – at 10:04
And the well said comments pour on in! Once again, well said, Green Mom. Thank you. And good for you! : )
Anytime anyone needs to take a break from prepping and hibernate in their “cave” for an hour or a day or a week or a month - whatever the time length - that is their perogative. For many of us, “prepping” has changed and is now defined as helping our community become prepared - not just our own home.
We aren’t all on the same page regarding the close proximity of this panflu beast. We aren’t all on the same page regarding if we will be able to survive as a Noah, as a home island unto ourselves. There are many unknowns to all of us.
Some of us are leaders and some of us are followers. Thankfully there are some scientific leaders actually informing us as events unfold. Thankfully there are community activists who are trying to take the scientific leaders’ facts to their community before it is too late. It takes a looonnnngggg time to make community preparations. Timing is everything…before it is too late…before the children start to become sick.
I am grateful to the leaders who have helped me to understand that I am only as prepped as my neighbors and community.
I’m a middle of the road-er kind of person, I guess. I can see both sides of this issue.
What we have to remember is that while the sky may not be falling today, it could tomorrow, or next week … or 10 years from now.
But as far as “time” and “imminent,” those terms mean different things to different people. If you have a limited income, it is going to take more time to prep your family … so time is of the essence now. For those who can afford “last minute” shopping sprees, time isn’t quite as in short supply for prepping.
The same thing is true of “imminent.” Imminent on a personal level means any day now. “Imminent” to an organization, agency, or government could mean 12 months from now … it would take that long for them to put into process an action plan that in itself would require time to come up with, write, and dessiminate.
What is hysteria to some is power of personality to others. What is apathy to some is a calm approach to others.
Its all in the definition folks.
Elder Berry, As I said a few days ago on the “Yes or No” thread, I don’t really think we will be able to recognize a pandemic until it is nearly upon us. Also, I don’t think we can accurately predict the severity of the next pandemic. (Yes, there will be another pandemic but it could be 2 months from now or 20 years from now, mild or severe.) Life is fraught with risk on a daily basis. Worrying about every threat is exhausting and not a great way to live. Review all the possible scenarios, prep to where you feel comfortable, keep an eye on the news, and then go out and enjoy life and all it has to offer.
banshee, hear, hear.
Elder Berry, One last quick thought. Regarding the sick pigs in China, they are a concern. The Chinese - as far as I know - have been unable to identify the vector responsible for quite a few human H5N1 cases. Pigs theoretically can act as a “mixing vessel”. And the more the virus spreads to other mammals, the greater chance of infecting humans and/or some freaky mutuations will occur. Read the thread as many of those posting on it are much more scientifically literate than myself.
The litmus test will be looking into your children’s and your neighborhood children’s faces and saying, “I did all that I could do,” and knowing deep down inside whether you’re telling the truth to yourself or not. If the only thing on the line was just how I would end up in a crisis situation, I wouldn’t have paid one extra dollar for a can of soup. But kids are different. Somehow they look at you and think, rightly or wrongly, that you have all the answers to whatever might happen. Whenever this hits, I’m sure a lot of kids are going to be in for one big eye-opener. I planned a long time ago that I wouldn’t be just prepping for my own kids, but I guess it is all a matter of perspective.
Listen folks - about the time it takes to prep for 3 months for a family of 5 - I have little monitary restraint however it took me almost 6 months to prep … and i still do not feel “ready”.
Those of you who have started know what i am talking about.
case in point - i have a well, get water from an electric pump - i have a generator that will last about 150 hrs - if i run it once every 2 days for an hour and fill lined garbage cans, i will have clean water for almost 300 days.
Last week my well water pump broke. What would have happened in middle of pandemic if that happened? Luckily the plumber came next day and fixed it….. not so in a pandemic.
So… it took me months to figure that could happen and now i have multiple levels of backup for water.
What would you do if your primary plan for water, or heat failed?
Prepping takes time, and we may be running short of it.
That oxygen deprivation buzz is the only one I really indulge in anymore ( cept the occasional rwfk) so please let me have at least that vice…But seriously now,I basically took this summer off fluwikie,as compared to my spring useage,and I see us in the same place as when I dropped of.We had a great family fun summer and now it is time to work again.
banshee – at 10:34 Life is fraught with risk on a daily basis. Worrying about every threat is exhausting and not a great way to live. Review all the possible scenarios, prep to where you feel comfortable, keep an eye on the news, and then go out and enjoy life and all it has to offer.
You have it 100% right, Banshee.
If I was really panicked, I’d be filling up my gas tanks, pulling money out of the bank and my kids out of school. I don’t think it is going to happen any day now, but COULD happen in the next several months, or even years. Who the hell really knows? No of us. Even the experts. I am trying to balance the need to prep for a POSSIBLE FUTURE EVENT (and I still have so much to do) with the IMMEDIATE HERE AND NOW - today’s bills need to get paid, kids need to get to school, work has to get done, etc. It’s easy to let the immediate needs take precedence over the future needs - I think that’s a big reason why people don’t prep. I don’t have an end-date in mind for AF or anything else. Who knew I’d live so close to NYC for 9/11 or that it would happen? Tornadoes. Floods. Hurricanes. Other disaster (fill in blank)____________ Any of it could happen. Or none of it. I’m just trying to plan as best I can, knowing I can’t forsee every possibile outcome or turn in the road, rather than get blind-sided.
OMG!!! IS THIS THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM!!!
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Sorry. I just couldn’t resist! :-)
Prepping is definitely a good idea. I am a prepper and I agree 100%. I am not suggesting taking a break from prepping, I am suggesting taking a break from worrying and a sense of inevitable dread. It is not healthy.
As banshee mentioned, I find the pigs in China of concern, but I am not allowing myself to lose sleep over it. What I am saying is that there are always going to be news accounts of things that look like the might be the spark of a pandemic. If you stay at code red too long, it grinds you down.
We can and should all still prep, but until we know it really has gone sustained H2H, let’s relax just a fraction more and worry just a fraction less.
JWB – at 11:40
LOL. Now that’s healthy! : ) Way to go.
Let’s not only work on bolstering our preps, but also our sense of humor. : )
I am losing sleep over the meeting i am having tomorrow with Town officials - i have stage fright and keep running my talk over and over in my head.
Yikes - what did i get myself into?
OK gotta go now and meet with the local newspaper….. be back later with a report
Goju, you’ll do great! Just relax and enjoy the opportunity. Let the info you have speak for itself.
Goju….when you are giving your speech, looking out over the crowd, ….just imagine them all naked. There, some humor :-)
Goju – at 12:23 Commonground – at 12:41
Focus on their heads and hair, not their faces. practice your tak beforehand. See the presentation tips here.
You’ll do fine. ;-)
I’m not worried…only 1 or 2 out of a hundred are gonna die!
Blue – at 13:23
Hi Blue. In fact we have no idea what the next pandemic will look like. It could be severe, it also could be less than severe. : )
Elder Berry-Yes, the sky is falling (one of these days). A pandemic may very well be imminent for many sound reasons based on past and current data and the rocks of science and logic. If some want to become hysterical that is understandable, but I hope that their hysteria is accompanied by useful acts. Any emotional trauma experienced by one or two of us fluwikians must be balanced against the threat which will inflict much more than a few days of temporary nervous anxiety.
Emotional discomfort is nothing as compared to your survival and your family’s survival. That is way it used to be, (before “modern” times). So what if a few of us can not adjust to the “long haul”, (if it is to be that long)? What you are lamenting is a moot point as compared to survival.
I reiterate that happiness and emotional comfort are modern concepts. When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.
We will be transiting from our “virtual reality” to the reality of our grandparents and great grandparents. Calm focus, yes. Hysteria, if that’s what you got to do.
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Hi Medical Maven,
\”When this tragedy unfolds these concepts will be largely subsumed by the struggle to survive, the way it used to be.\”
You are assuming a tragedy when the fact is we just don\’t know what the next pandemic will be like.
As I have said, I believe in prepping. I am a prepper and think everyone should be.
If you look back on what we were worrying about this time last year, you will see that many bad things never materialized.
We need to be vigilant, there is no question. Something may happen this year, it may not. : )
Yikes! Sorry about that.
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Elder Berry-The pandemic could emerge at any time. H5N1 is exhibiting a very high CFR. We inhabit the peak of a technological pyramid. Those FACTS alone might induce hysteria in certain personalities (or utter denial).
You are advocating a mental balancing act to make living in “the now” tolerable for yourself and others. I choose to look at things as they are and to maintain a calm focus.
“Magical thinking” is no match for the inexorable evolution of pandemic viruses and the better you perceive the threat the better you will prepare.
ELDER BERRY REBOOT….REBOOT
REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER
Elder Berry-Make your computer blow into a paper bag. : )
Elderberry, We get the point. ;) (Humor. Get it?)
Now that was hilarious :-)
Medical Maven - ROTFLMAO!
Elder Berry, that was me above as “anonymous” Sometimes an email or email program can stick and cause repeats such as this. But it was funny! Thought it was my computer there for a moment! A nice respite from all the gloomy things going on!
The bird Flu has made its way to Elder Berry’s computer…
either that or he’s fallen asleep on the <enter> key
LOL
Would also like to mention the benefits of adrenaline:
My prepping pattern has been to prep like crazy when something appears to be worsening, then take a breather, sometimes getting positively slothful.
Then, something occurs to give me an adrenaline “kick” and I accomplish a lot more prepping.
Not everyone reacts this way. Some are overwhelmed by adrenaline and go into a “shock” of sorts and can do nothing.
However, for some of us, information interpreted as somewhat alarming can cause the positive adrenaline kick and get us going to the next plateau of preparedness.
So, please don’t require that we all be consistently awash in calmness - doesn’t work the same for everyone.
Personally, those damn pigs have been a gift to my prepping - they have my attention and the adrenaline is giving me the energy and focus to do some things I have been putting off since the last “kick.”
Others on the forum seem very energized to accomplish great things (Goju’s community efforts) behind a little alarm. So, let’s “Live and let live,” meaning accept different styles of using information.
ScubaSteve – at 15:18 - now I’m really laughing : )
whathehell is going on?
Elder Berry at 1453,1454…1504, and so on….
LOL!!! God, I love this board!!!
We need to start a new thread due to length now.
8^)
there is/was a heightened sense of dread or anticipation running through several of the threads. the best conclusion I can come to, is it may represent a “maturing” of opinion concerning the probable outcome with H5N1
many of the voices we listen to here have concluded that what we face is definitely not the CFR of 1918. if you follow that thought to it’s logical conclusion you don’t find La La Land, you don’t find Oz.
other than this maturing I speak of, Bird Flu news has not arrived with overly alarming news to cause intense dread? has it? I find no real event other than Gogu’s encounter with Dr. Nabarro that lends itself to a being further alarmed?
the sun is still shining, there is no H2H pandemic romping outside, and though the odds are against it… there might not be a pandemic anytime soon
Medical Maven – at 15:07
I think we are closer together on this than you think. I agree with you 100% that all of the signs we are seeing right now show us that the H5N1 strain is particularly devastating. It is very frightening.
What we are not seeing (yet) is sustained human-to-human transmission. If the virus acquires that ability, it could remain just as devastating or heaven forbid get even worse. It could also be less worse.
There will be another pandemic at some point. History has shown us that. But history has also shown us that pandemics come in different sizes and strengths.
You suggested, “You are advocating a mental balancing act to make living in “the now” tolerable for yourself and others.” - On that you are 100% correct. Balance your fears of a devastating pandemic with the facts we have available to us.
“I choose to look at things as they are and to maintain a calm focus.” - Here too you are 100% correct. I choose to look at things the way they are and maintain a calm focus.
““Magical thinking” is no match for the inexorable evolution of pandemic viruses and the better you perceive the threat the better you will prepare.” - I don’t know where magical thinking plays in, but again you are correct in that you must know the level you are prepping for.
: )
<pushing post key now and hoping for a single. C’mon single!>
moeb – at 15:26
I agree. Thanks. : )
ironmagnolia – at 15:20
I also agree : )
Mediacl Maven, I await your response and am sure I’ll agree ; )
sets down the bucket of whitewash and steps back
jeez work is coming slow today and some rat outbid me on my copy of “Alas Babylon”… (looks out the window to see if the sky is still in place)
moeb – at 15:35
LOL
There was a post on the Yes or No thread I believe where someone described people’s gut feelings, etc. with a super example.
When you flip a coin. There’s a 50:50 chance it will come up heads and a 50:50 chance it will come up tails. After flipping three times and getting heads, many will believe they have a greater chance of getting tails on the next flip while the odds are still 50:50.
Elder Berry – at 15:41
True. The question is, how many times do we have to flip that coin before the end ot the year?
Oremus – at 15:46
So, true, Oremus, so true. Still, I wouldn’t hazard a guess for all the pigs, ah I mean - tea in China!
it does give one pause, eh? three months, we all know how fast time passes.. great but scary analogy Oremus (smiles sorta)
Elder Berry-It does look like we agree on most points. Except I would rather have people emotionally uncomfortable, and therefore more likely to be motivated to prep (and maybe to err on the side of prepping too much).
And if you overprep, those supplies will not go to waste, even if you die in the first wave. We preppers are unfortunately the “strategic reserve” for our given countries. Our governments are unthinkingly “planning” for obsolescence while we are planning for continuance.
Medical Maven – at 15:51
Ah, ha! A point we can finally disagree on. : ) I actually think it is impossible to prep too much. ; )
I’m teasing you of course.
Elder Berry - Funniest threat EVAH! I agree with you. There are some days that I avidly read most threads. Recently, though, I find myself avoiding some of the “gloom and doom” threads simply because I don’t want to hear it.
I wonder if that is because:
Could be any or all or it could simply be that I have pandemic fatigue. The sun is shining, the weather is cooling here in Southeast Texas, and a taste of fall is in the air!
As for me, I’ve been the ant for 6 months - now is the time to be the grasshopper!
Ooops - should be “funniest thread EVAH” - not threat!
Howdy Bluebonnet:
Yeah, this one was pretty funny today. Good to “hear” people laughing on the wiki.
I do agree with your assessment. Once you’re prepped and knowledgeable all you can do is sit and wait. Whether you want to worry during that time is 100% up to you.
EB
Well, I am definitely in peak anxiety mode.
There’s outbreaks of strange disease in Nepal. There’s pigs in China. There’s the Indonesian Tamiflu blanket (substituted for declaring phase 4). There’s the news clamp-down in China. There’s the WHO’s see-sawing from calming statements to alarming statements. There’s the dead pelicans washing up on California’s shores. There’s the dead owl under my neighbor’s porch. There’s the no birds singing when the sun comes up for the past several weeks. There’s cow deaths. There’s Goju’s conference.
And then there’s my 16 year old daughter—my baby—going to Hawaii Oct. 2 - 9 with her high school cross country team.
How I wish some whitewash could help.
Why doesn’t Ebola kill us all? I know it is also a virus, one with a mammalian “reservoir” and it also has a high CFR — but it doesn’t break out and kill us all. How come? Any chance H5N1 is similiar?
Oddly enough, I also bought a mocha today instead of another can of beans. : )
The sky is not falling but the clouds are gathering on the horizon :-)
It is so important that we do not let this take over - I get concerned when people start asking on the thread(s) about when to SIP - whoa up there folks.
It is very important that we are prepped, it is even more important that we live our lives. I live in a city that is overdue for the big earthquake and sometimes (about once a month) I look out my window and I am deeply saddened to think that all that I see now will not be the same one day - and I take the same approach to the pandemic.
There is a big difference between being aware and realistic and being paranoid?
What is importnat is to not say “the sky won’t fall” - because it will.
anonymous: my friend is in China on holiday, am I wooried? Nope.. He knows his preacations and thats it, Dont worry about your daughter and Hawai. Dont stop living, just prep, learn and continue your ordinay life. This may take years, dont waste them :-)
Blue at 13:-- were you serious or just helping to lighten things up a bit?
I hope everyone here is enjoying their life, good weather, friends, family and everything else that makes life joyful. Some will always worry more, some will always worry less. No one person here represents everyone else.
Since everyone seems to be having fun here- the sky is not falling - are you sure:
“If you wait long enough, a piece of outer space itself will come right to you. As Colby Navarro worked innocently on the computer, a rock from space crashed through the roof, struck the printer, banged off the wall, and came to rest near the filing cabinet. This occurred around midnight on March 26, 2003 in Park Forest, Illinois, USA, near Chicago. The meteorite, measuring about 10 cm across, was one of several that fell near Chicago that day as part of a tremendous fireball. Pictured above is the resulting hole in the ceiling, while the inset image shows the wall dent and the meteorite itself.”
sometimes it’s not that the sky is falling - it’s us who are jumping :-/
If we sound worried and pressed for time it is because we see tens of thousands of people who are not preppers and absolutely not prepared for a bad week,
and who have not heard anything on their radar that a mass fatality event with no vaccine and no cure and mass graves is being considered a risk and “planned” for behind their scenes, on local, county, state, and federal levels.
A deadly virus will be a problem, but people not informed and prepared will be the other half of the problem, and preventable deaths and suffering should be avoided for best long-term outcomes.
Besides, the countries that even have health care, don’t have the infrastructure they need; if no one is concerned they won’t change that.
Amen!
Good points mods (love the name BTW). Now that I have done a fair amount of prepping I feel better about sustaining my immediate family. But what about others? My neighbors, friends, the state, the country, the world? I’ve tried to get my circle of friends and family to prep with little success. When I think about what could happen to loved ones, families with children, civil unrest, etc. not just here but across the globe, that’s when I start to hyperventilate.
I hope for the best but plan for the worst.
Works for me but YMMV.
Olymom – at 16:34 --- Why doesn’t Ebola kill us all?
It may be because Ebola is recognizable right away as something out of the ordinary. It doesn’t look like a simple cold or seasonal disease, therefore it gets caught and contained much faster.
Just a guess, but I hope a good one. It would be good and nice if we could recognize H5N1 infections as quickly…
Thread is getting long and needs to be split. Please continue here
Re: Ebola.
IIRC, Ebola is passed via bodily fluids. It isn’t airborne (I think it might possibly be airborne among monkeys, but not humans — not sure.). Anyway, you can’t catch it as easily as you can the flu. I think good basic hygiene prevents most spreading. Local epidemics of ebola tend to happen where there isn’t really great hospital care and medical supplies. Once an epidemic is recognized and experts arrive with proper gear, they can stamp it out.
The Sky Is Not Falling… I think that’s what the problem is with those people who don’t see any validity in this pandemic warning. Least that’s what they are telling me. Grant it, there is a more-than-normal hypervigillance around here lately. But, in retrospect, I can’t recall ever in my life time having world governments and agencies send out warnings to “prepare” like I am seeing now. (And I am part of the “cold war” generation.) (And… I don’t think these governments and agencies are “sending out” enough, or proper, warnings to get people to adequately prepare.) I understand the importance of keeping a clear head in the middle of any conditional distress. Likewise, there is a time to become alarmed. I’m alarmed. Probably like no other time in my life. What is significant to me is that it doesn’t just evolve around the bf, although that is w/o a doubt the most pressing concern.
For over two weeks my family, (not just in my household), have battled a nasty cold and cough. For the last 2 days we have been dropping like flies with fever &/or vomiting. It isn’t just my family, but also many in my community. It’s a little unnerving, all things considered. I am so grateful to have running water, electricity, medicine, medical advice, stores, and Block Buster. Additionally, the metropolitan area up the road from me has been dealing with WNV, and a significant increase in crime due to hurricane evacuees. I can’t help but think, “This is nothing compared to what is brewing on the horizon.” “The sky is falling” might be the Rx needed to help “jar” people into problem solving while there is time… to avoid this perpetual victim mode so many seem stuck in. To catch the sky falling before it actually falls, seems safer all-the-way-around than trying to catch a falling knife.
FWIW, lately I have probably been more in a panic mode than at any previous time. I am sure this has a lot to do with all the sickness around me. All the same, it has really made me focus on things I have to accomplish… like being self-sufficient. By that I don’t simply mean in the prepping sense, but on a personal level. I have come to understand that I have to be able to do things for myself, like figure out how to run the generator or dig a hole in the hard clay ground. Things I never considered “having to know or do.” So, hell yeah… the sky is falling… the sky as I know it.