For TPTB of this website - first, thank you for everything on this site. If it were not for this site, I would not have learned as much as I have, started to prep as I have, or been able to calm my fears with everyone else’s info (who knows much more than my active imagination can dream up…) I was wondering how much activity this website gets? I admit I am a 99% lurker, not posting too much compared to all my reading. I see many of the same names posting over and over (the regulars) - but I just can’t help but wonder/hope - are there thousands of lurkers too that possibly are taking the advice, prepping, and just keeping quiet about it?? I’d like to hope it is just more than the regulars and a few consistent lurkers prepping for the worst and hoping for the best. Just some “fluff” discussion today - to avoid the real news….
Ditto here!! I have really enjoyed this site, but I am new to it. I found it by accident. I was looking up hurricane preparedness…..found this somehow….and I am so glad I did. I emailed it to everyone I knew. Everyone has responded very positively. It has really helped me to prepare very carefully….I have 3 boys and one little girl (21 months) So its imperative that I know as much as I can an really prepare. This site helps with all that!!!
I lurked and prepped for at least six months before my first post. BTW-I found the site when taking a break and scanning a bulletin board at work. Large block letters said Need Info?-in center was a chicken head looking like it just got tazed-at bottom in bold was this web site. No one has admitted to putting it up.
look at the bottom of the L sidebar at that rainbow thingie. Click on it… you learn a lot ;-)
Dem from Ct:
Amazing, I to want to add my thanks for this site. I’ve learned alot
I admit to “lurking” as well and have now become an addict!
count me in too..
Welcome new posters, - Anyone else want to stick their toe into the water? Just pick a handle and sign in. How about saying how long you’ve been reading about H5N1, what state or field of work you are in.
Welcome all lurkers. Please post something…a question, a response.
Dem knows…I lurk a lot. Hardly ever post anything. I rarely *ever* see anything to respond to. Right! ;-) ;-)
BB puts his sock back in his mouth…
I am here everyday but as in real life I am very quiet so I only lurk and read others statements but I am prepping and this site is my lifeline
Fulltime lurker, have only posted twice since finding this site in January. I check in to read daily. Very much appreciate all the effort that is taking place here. Many thanks to all the mods and the ‘regulars’ for the info, education and for their passion in spreading the word.
Even as lurkers…post a profile. At least we’ll know who’s out there.
Cut n’ past this entire URL into your browser’s address bar, but change “YourName” to your own screen name that you use here on FluWiki, before hitting enter:
“I only lurk and read others statements but I am prepping and this site is my lifeline”
Let us know how your prepping is going by posting to the Today’s Flu Prep “X” thread. We all have something to share!
As a further ‘activity’ info, we split the wiki and Forum into two servrs… server1 has the wiki, a repository of info which is editable by the comunity, and the Forum on server 2. You have to add the two servers together to get the full activity.
The wiki has stable viewers, the Forum is growing.
http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=s12fluwiki&r=12 is server 1
http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=sm8fluwikie2&r=12 is server 2
Finally, go here at different times of day to see where in thr world people come from. Don’t expect mucho 2 am Asian time activity from China or Japan.
The wiki has stable viewers
I thought it had less and less users :)
We want to learn to convert all the wonderful stuff in the forum to wiki pages, so people coming to the wiki may find what they are looking for, in structured and easy to find places.
If things are not easy to find, then we must re-do the access-menues. This is called “information annealing” and it takes work.
What kind of work? Why do I write this in a thread where we’re warmly welcoming lurkers? Why?
Because YOU LURKERS can provide precious input as to what needs to be changed in the wiki (fluwikie.com). Please try and find things in the wiki, and if you can’t find it then tell us in the forum - we’ll then try and fix it FOR THE NEXT PERSON. We all want to make things easier for those next people who, we believe, are bound to come!
Thank you!
Hello from UK. Been lurking since January and have learnt so much. The level of awareness over here seems very low, no one I speak to seems interested or concerned. So, am quietly prepping for my family. Have taken advice from you all and have almost reached the 3 month prep point. If nothing happens, we can always use the food later, am rotating it now as I buy. Thanks for all the info.
Yes but they’re stable. ;-) Actually the activity on the wiki is remarkably consistent and predictable. And pople go there to get something they read 3 pages per visit, as opposed to 9 pages pr visit in the forum.
Welcome, all the newbies and lurkers! Don’t feel pressured to post, but we’re here if you have questions, especially about finding things.
One of the greatest parts of this site/forum is the wide variety of folks who visit and share their comments, opinions, hopes, and fears with us. Yes, there are the “regulars”, whom I mostly enjoy. On the other hand, the every-now-and-posters have also have also made significant contributions.
Please don’t be shy, we need your input. I personnally have posted some “off the wall” questions. For example, Can you recharge batteries with a bicycle? Guess what, you can… I had my answer remarkably fast, with a link where to buy the equipment. Unfortunately, I don’t have that much extra money, and it’s way down on my prepping list.
I couldn’t even try to count all of the times where I read something that was posted, and thought… Wow I never would have thought of that. Example: For thos folks who live in “the North”, if you were to lose power ( = no heat), pitch a tent IN your house to keep warm. Heck, that tidbit could very well be a MANY lives saver…
Anyway, I’m very glad for you’ve joined us, if nothing else, let us know when we make you laugh!
Wow - DEM, those maps/stats are great. Glad to know there are a lot of lurkers - hopefully all prepping too. I feel prepping is the only thing I can do to have any control over this & hoping others are doing the same. One more person prepping could mean one or more lives saved if/when it hits. (I’m just hoping some of you are my eye-rolling family and friends I have tried to get on board!!) ;-)
Well o.k. you asked so I’m going to admit I’ve been a lurker for sometime….(everyday)lol. I agree this site has been like a big brother/big sister on calming my nerves and anxiety of were to begin. I am happy to say that I have reached the 6 month supply for my family of 4 (myself and 2 teenagers and a toddler). This site and the people who post are like a good friend, especially when no one else is listening. :-( A Big Thank You to all of you.
tc_in_CT 17:36 I agree also, the tent in the house to keep warm was very good piece of tidbit to know, I live in Michigan and safe to say worry about if this thing hits in the winter…..Buying a tent is at the top of my list of things I still need to get.
I’ve been here about three weeks. I check a couple times a day. I can’t find the profiles. (I can when there’s a link, but getting there from the main page - I can’t see where it is.) Also, the new index. I look up index, but all I get is the old alphabet one.
kgb, the profiles are here. I’ll add to the L sidebar later. And the forum index is also on the L sidebar under Discussion Forum.
Welcome to you all! I agree wholeheartedly with Dawn/Michigan…”This site and the people who post are like a good friend, especially when no one else is listening”. The community that has developed here is incredibly enriched by new “voices”. I think there are many of us who are able to go to sleep at night because we know our friends here are keeping watch.
Dawn/Michigan
I can not take credit for the idea for pitching a tent to keep warm, it was “Clark” who started the thread.
BTW, I’m originally from Jackson… and now living in Connecticut. Some difference as far a winter weather goes… I’m prepping food, medicine etc… but can not (even hope to) store enough heating oil to last a long time. I honestly think that’s a part that’s out of my control, and what bothers me the most.
readers and new folks-
Welcome.
Many of these regulars are people that were once green newbies who are just thoughtful enough to prepare for these scenarios where life will continue . . . but not as usual if societal services and values degrade.
Keep poking around the threads, visit the Basic Science area, ask questions . . . soon, because in a few days you may be the one answering them.
Again, Welcome, we are glad to have you.
Get your bodies ready to operate properly. We may be living with this bug for awhile if it becomes PF51.
Eat your ancient grains for a better protein mix, eat more fats (single vegetable or nut oils, sunflower, flax, safflower, almond, olive, et al), eat your sugars (agave nectar, honey, et al).
If you Feel Great now, Then you’ll Think Well, and that makes it easier to Do Right.
We’re glad each of you are here.
Now, get to work.
Gather and Solve.
tc_in_CT – at 19:03 --- Sign up for auto deliveries of your heating oil. When we lived in Willimantic, that’s what we did with Potter’s Oil. We never saw the delivery truck, but always had a full tank in the basement. They based the delivery on past usage, and would guage how much we used each winter. Really a nice luxury…if the oil companies are still doing business in a pandemic…
BB - Thanks for the idea, but I’m REALLY CHEAP and auto-deliveries cost you about 10–15¢ A GALLON more around here, now.
I’m thinking about WHAT/IF… A pandemic in FULL RAGE… Does anyone here think the “oilman” will be making deliveries? I hope and pray…
Sorry, I’ll cruise to the sidelines now, I had no intention of Highjacking this thread.
I lurk!
Heh. We found the best motto for the Flu Wiki t shirt, thanks to Peep!
That could be the secret code for us all - go out prepping in your “I LURK” shirt - seeing others in their shirts, we could just smile at each other as we push our full carts down the aisles…..
I’m happy to de-lurk.
I’ve been following fluwikie for about 8 weeks, after my father-in-law (a medical doctor in community health) told me to start paying attention to H5N1/bird flu. I honestly thought he was nuts and just ignored him for a few weeks, finally did a little reading on-line, watched the news etc. My county sent out a flyer about emergency preparedness saying we should have emergency supplies (food AND water) for 2 weeks. That got my attention. Found www.pandemicflu.gov. How is it THAT has escaped my attention? Found the fluwikie. Now I’m here.
I’m a stay-at home mom (former elementary school teacher) of 2 kids outside of Washington DC. I’m beginning to “prep” but not specifically for any emergency — just for everything, I’m proud of myself — one month age we had nothing (shopped about every other day) and now we are prepared for your average 3 days loss of power/water. Not much compared to most people on this site but GOOD FOR US!
I have wanted to reply a lot to people’s comments but couldn’t decide on a “handle”. I think I’ll settle on Average Concerned Mom (ACM)
Thanks to everyone for all their hard work, ACM
welcome on board ACM! As a former teacher, perhaps you can offer some insights for how schools might handle the crisis and ways we can better inform teachers and adminstrators on preventing illness, etc. There are several forum threads regarding schools. If you have a few free moments we’d love to hear from you. Thanks!
ACM - You SHOULD be proud of yourself. I also have 2 kids and started out with 3 days of supplies. Since then its expanded a little bit, and I’ve found that having a pantry has made my life easier just in general. I’m glad you de-lurked.
ACM – at 08:38
Welcome! We’re proud you found us.
ACM,
You are a neighbor of mine. Welcome aboard Flu Wiki!
This is my first post, but I’ve been lurking and prepping for about 2 months. I suspect there are many more doing the same. This site has been a wealth of information and there’s usually a good laugh to be found as well. Thanks, FW!
Hey OKbirdwatcher…I ‘magine we’re neighbors!
I am an addict!! (supposed to be doing a multitude of things as we speak!) I don’t generally feel that I have anything worthwhile to add…but appreciate the site so much. I have spoke to several people (including preacher and vet) about bird flu and am sure most think I am looney. My family jokes, but my mother and sister-in-law have begun prepping. I have about a months supply for my family of four.
Thanks for all that y’all do!
okcinder - Neighbors for sure and you took the words right out of my mouth. I hope there are many others prepping (for any and all situations) in our fine state.
LauraB- I would love to share ideas about schools and what could be done. I can’t find any threads specifically on that topic, though, can you help me out?
Sahara— Yes! Having a pantry — physically having one, I just set it up — does seem to make everything else easier. I should have done it years ago.
Melanie- Yes I think I read you were in Northern VA? I’m on the other side, just east of DC in PG County. A stone’s throw from the capital, really, so when I worry about things (I do’t usually, just like to be prepared) it can be about a lot of things besides Pandemic Flu…
Bump…
An older thread, but good info for newbies and lurkers…
I’m prepped. I have everything on your list except the lard.
Okay,
The Flu Wiki t-shirt will read
I lurk.
I’ll set it up this week.
Melanie, will the T-shirt also have the web address?
Yup.
How’s about a logo? [-Do we have an official logo yet?-} I miss the old Wiki logo…but I understand that other site’s concern…
Someone was working on one, not too long ago…
Closed to maintain Forum speed.