Do You Really Think, or do You Think Really?
1. Fact: The U.S. government claims there are 300 million residents in the USA. 2. Fact: If you are a U.S. resident, you have been warned multiple times for over one year by a variety of government sources and news reports that you will be “on your own” in the event of a flu pandemic. Believe it. 3. According to (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/lawenf.htm), there are 800,000 law enforcement individuals in the USA (as of 2000). Probably a few more by now. Don’t know if that includes folks such as prison guards, dogcatchers, or truant officers. 4. According to such sources as (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces), (www.military.com/Page/0,12170,1-OO-0,00.htm), and (www.1800goguard.com/home.html), there are 2,685,713 members in the U.S. armed forces (including Reserves and National Guard). Many of those are currently deployed overseas. 5. If you add the law enforcement individuals to the armed forces individuals, the total is 3,485,713. Round it off to 3.5 million to make it easy. That sounds like abunch. It is abunch. But it won’t be enough to maintain your lifestyle in a pandemic if you are not prepared. 6. If all U.S. law enforcement and military personnel are deployed and dispersed in the U.S. on a 24 hour basis (clue…it won’t happen) in order to “protect and serve” the citizens (including those among us that are prepared as opposed to the unruly, rioting, devastated, desperate, and unprepared citizens) during a pandemic flu, after doing the math (3.5 million divided by 300 million), we are being “protected” at a very low ratio of “protectors” to “protectees.” 7. And that is assuming that the “protectors” all remain healthy. Many sources report that expected absenteeism from “work” (i.e., the daily grind - such as that in which the “protectors” participate) at any given time during a pandemic could reach 40%. And, as we all know, when the “protectors” begin getting hungry because their supplies suddenly become nonexistent, they will look to other sources for “stuff” (i.e., the “protectees”). 8. There are 100 U.S. Senators, and 435 U.S. Congressional Representatives. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Congress). 9. There are 50 state governors, and 3,077 counties in the U.S. according to these sources: (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counties_of_the_United_States) and (www.naco.org). 10. Adequate and orderly for normal operations in most cases (despite hanging chads), but not really alot of “organization and control” to handle 300 million people in a pandemic. 11. Are you starting to see how fragile “the system” really is? Are the light bulbs beginning to illuminate? 12. Fact: Most nations, cities, counties, businesses, hospitals, and people are not adequately prepared. Not by a long shot. But they have been warned. So have you. 13. When the pandemic arrives, it will be chaotic. It will be devastating. Believe it. 14. It is a Sunday in mid October, 2006. I’m going to settle in and watch an NFL football game on T.V. The air is crisp and clean here. I’m prepared. How about you?
Surfer
Now that`s a scary bunch of thoughts,there. But ,the NASCAR race was good, and now I`ll watch the Az Cardinals get whooped by the Raiders.
Yep, I’ll agree them are a heap o’ scary thoughts. It is indeed a Sunday, and you, my friend, are preaching to the choir.
Who knows what shadowy lurkers look at the thoughts of ‘Wiki?
;-)
Just got back from watching the game…and a long relaxing walk in the woods afterwards. Cactus: No remaining scary thoughts to those of us who have thunk and planned. Green Mom: I’ve preached before…see my opines on the Opinion column of the wiki. crufullmoon: Uh…have I been detected and targeted?
Surfer. I do hope you enjoyed the game.
I’m glad you consider yourself prepped. You’re likely more so prepped than I am.
BUT, if you are in a locale that you can view football, **and** unless you are a Dick Proenneke sort (which I’m not), you’re/we’re hosed.
Who is Dick Proenneke?
I agree with your sentiments, JJF. Prepped is good, but it’s pretty difficult to prep for the worst case scenario.
Dick Proenneke videos are often on PBS and Discovery channels, under the topic “Alone in the Wilderness”. I’d say he should be on monotreme’s top list of/if survivors. Or should I say ***only*** list of survivors?
blackbird: Unsolicted adicve - Prepare for the worst. Do it now. Walk the talk.
JJF - Dick who?
Surfer.
Dick Proenneke. One of my most admirable people I’ve never met. Please google the name. I think you are the sort that would enjoy learning his story.
Surfer:
Great thread! I am in a zone of calm right now that I think has everything to do with my good level of preps. But something has Dr. Woodson spooked and it has me “mildly” interested. I’m actually ready for it if it happens, but am sick and tired of waiting - it wears on you after a while. I know Tom DVM will see this (and Monotreme) and tell me the virus does what it does in its own sweet time and I completely agree.
I think this winter will be the last time I can rev up and remain on alert like this. I will keep my preps (of course) going forward but if pan flu doesn’t arrive in the next 6 months… my PPF will go from its current 5 to a 1 and it’ll take a major even to whack it in an upward direction ever again.
Kids crying… gotta go.
that should be major “event”
Are we there Yet:
More unsolicited advice: Stay the course. You don’t need to “rev up”, or even stay in a constant state of high level alert 24/7. You are prepared. Relax. Level off. Live your life. Stay informed and prepared. Fall back on your preparations ONLY when “the event” happens. You are smart enough to know when “it” happens. It will happen.
JJF Thanx. Our comments “crossed in the mail.” I’ll check it out.