Discussion continued from here.
Orlandopreppie – at 22:47 There is one leader or (master)in WHO. Do you know its name?
It’s called P O L I T I C S!!!!
DO THESE LEADERS ANSWER TO ANYONE? NO. SO THEY CAN RELEASE NEWS AS SOON OR AS LATE AS THEY WANT.
The local governments in S.E. Asia are restricting access to data to WHO personnel due to economic concerns including tourism!!! This includes China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, India, all the Middle East, and 3 countries in Africa… do I need to go on.
It comes down to the all mighty dollar!
It really makes me sick,,,,,,:(
I suspect the powerful are powerless to stop this disease.
Richard FL, have all the European gene sequences been released yet? The idea that the powerful are powerless to stop this disease, as Cloud9 asserts, is true to some extent. We are really dealing with cultural issues of power and control (and yes, MONEY). Americans are to the point communicators. We know knowledge is power and feel entitled to it just because. I forget that the rest of the world isn’t used to feeling empowered and “their” leaders frequently lead them like sheep. I really balk at that but can’t do a damn thing about it.
We on this site get the news early via the news aggregators, and there are so many smart people who can assess and predict that it is awe inspiring. What really infuriates me, is even if the WHO posted on it’s website “THE BF IS COMING, THE BF IS COMING” the domestic news wouldn’t say a WORD about it. That’s what makes me sick. I rode around on Metro up in D.C. for a week a while ago, and came back to my friends feeling like I was looking at the walking dead.
Here is the funny part. In case the money hungery have yet to figure it out, (duh) you can’t take it with you. One would think they would have a greater desire to keep the common Joe/Jane alive. If the populus dies off, so will money. Having money after BF will not buy food. So much for having there prioritss in the right place. gina
Hello from Hot and Sunny NE Florida:
I’m at another site alot looking for a “telenet job” you know work at home. So they have a section to talk about current events and give opinions very much like this. I stated a subject called pandemic bird flu. I explained the facts, gave web sites to review said facts, and gave the government web site for good measure.
What I got, was a reality check. People just do not want to know. They stated “I’m looking for a job to feed my family…” or “…GOD will protect me or take me and my family will stay together…”! “You must have a web site that sells Bird Flu items like masks….” (Just so you get a feeling for the type of reply I got back)
Even though I gave facts they called me alot of unplesant names and made a few suggestion about me, my family, and “my underground shelter” (Here in Florida) yea right lol :)
So how do we get it through their minds we all work together and get pass this thing or we separate and die in little batchs?
I’ve tried 4 different ways to get these people aware of the current situation about BF; but they just don’t want to know, or are now afraid to ask questions because they would be put down by the others. Most of these people are mothers over 20 and have kids.
Any suggestions…. I really think that if I could get them on our side they would spread the truth fast….
thanks
Maybe, just maybe, you could select one good news article a day and post it. Then, like here, you could list a prep you made for the day. Almost like an online journal. Then, if somebody does ask, you can provide more or just always include a link to the wiki. Otherwise you will have built a small encyclopedia of knowledge they can read when the fluprep bug bites them. You may also want to post the 24 hour list in as many places as you can. I wouldn’t post it with my more calm postings. Don’t engage them in conversation or debate. They lost the point and make it personal. They are the “walking dead” type I referred to from my D.C. visit. We cannot save everyone.
It’s hot as hades here too. 94 degrees, high humidity and getting worse.
I used to work a part time job from home. Taking inbound phone calls for Home Shopping Network. Both hubby and I did it. There’s also what they call “direct response” where people see a commercial on TV and call to buy the thing…the phone call gets routed to your house. You need a second line (cheap), high speed internet, and their simple training. Makes your new computer and everything tax deductible. Now that I teach I decided I should have to work a second job. Ha. Hubby out of work, glad I kept the second line.
ooppps, mistake. I decided I should NOT have to work a second job.
“walking dead” love it can I use it?????
I have a location for you to go if you want the same type of job. I’m have trouble finding a job since they say I have no customer service experience.
(Marine Corps and Police) lol I think I had great customer service experience. Please put that gun down Sir….I want sell you a life insurance policy I don’t want to lose you as a customer…..
RICHARD FL — Any suggestions…. I really think that if I could get them on our side they would spread the truth fast….
If you go to the Forum Index, there is a list of threads with this same topic under “Convincing Others” — hope that helps.
OMG Richard, that is funny! Trust me, you have the kind of customer experience I wished I had. “Sir, if you call me one more name I promise you a REAL ‘come-to-Jesus’” Working on the phones sucks. Did it for five years.
Yea I’ll try but it’s like leading a horse to water you can take them but you cannot make them drink.
I believe I will put the facts and news items up and wait for it to hit,then we’ll see if their attitude changes.
Orlandopreppie – at 20:06 I have to do something my college education is just about done, so I have to find something else to do. I can also pay back the student loans……..
Oh, EASY one Richard. Teaching. Florida now has an “alternate certification” program. You can become a teacher with any Bachelor’s degree. You can get a temporary 3 year certificate and during that time you have to take five SIMPLE classes and pass two tests. That’s it. The Principal’s LOVE the “alternate certification” types because of our real world experience. My B.A. was in Social Science, so I teach Social Studies. What is your major?
I love teaching. I don’t complain about the money too much, I’ve made it on less here in Orlando. My county is the third richest in the state but we pay less than average. A starting teaching starts at $32,000 in Seminole County. More in other counties. You can’t beat the vacation schedule either and after the military it would be a cake walk. My school has the only Middle School ROTC program in the county, I know you could be the ROTC guy too, they usually pay additional for that kind of stuff. You may want to consider it. I am not denegrating other teachers that went to college in the Dept. of Education, but really…it is the easiest job I’ve ever had in most regards…and the most rewarding next to the Submarine Service.
Richard,
I’ve been teaching for more than 25 years. Yeah, the money ain’t great, but touching those young minds is its own reward. It’s great stuff to watch the lightbulb go on over a young person’s head.
Orlandopreppie – at 23:30 Melanie – I have a double major business Admin/Criminal Justice. I originally wanted to go into risk management (Insurance) or loss provention.
With my disabilities I cannot handle a class room, Would have to teach on-line courses. College level (business).
Did any one see the detroit thing about BF.. It seems that a bunch of birds were brought from china and placed in asian markets. FDA found and destroyed 190,000 lbs of birds. I have a feeling now, we will have BF sooner then a lot of people think. Smuggling will be the main factor. What do you think?
I think to teach as an Adjunct at the college level you have to have a Masters Degree. I’m just getting ready to start one, an online program probably. Is that what you did? My husband is disabled, multiple amputee, and is going to be a teacher. The county will make all accomodations as required by law, and don’t seem to “mind”. You ought to see what they’ll do for a disabled student now, they didn’t do it for him in the 70′s let me tell you! You ought to see what they’ll do for a “student” who is a near vegetative state and will never be able to learn, produce, or hold a job. As a tax payer, I have to wonder.
My sister is an investigator for FDA, it always amazes me when I hear of the smugging cases. How, or I should say, HOW do you smuggle 190,000 birds all the way to OHIO? I can see maybe making it to the west coast, but all the way through the heartland? That is worrisome. I think you are right, as usual, smuggling may be the main factor.
I read today that Indonesia now ties Vietnam in deaths, 42. Also, BF (infectious disease) is one of the three topics at the G8 summit and the WHO’s Nordstrom is attending the meetings (I wonder if he’ll get spanked), and two visiting professors at University of Miami at Oxford decided to write an OpEd piece that says there’s no problem. Don’t spend money on it, there hasn’t been any human to human and we should spend money of HIV/AIDS, polio, and hangnails. Basically, referring to Iraq Minister of Information during invasion “There are NO Americans here”…as tanks roll through the background.
Orlandopreppie – at 14:24 Yea - need a master, I hope to have before it 2010 or I’m 65. lol :)
The smuggling case I think the FDA went overboard they took all birds for all asian locations in the city. that is why there was 190,000 lbs. The guy they want to talk to left 2 hours before the raids. They don’t know where he is. If they caught this one due to a tip, it makes you wonder what else has made it her already.
Do any of you garden in the Florida sun? I learned with plants that when the little tag says it can handle “full sun” that they are talking about Ohio sun and not our harsh sun. I was going to put the raised garden beds, near a small tree for a little shade, but am not sure. It’s a small “Golden Rain Tree” with a canopy about 7 feet across. Any opinions?
Vegi gardening in FL is an interesting experience. What I can grow, my neighbor can grow and the guy three miles down the road can grow differ due to soil conditions. The time to start a garden is not in the middle of summer, either!
The soil in your area dictates what will florish and what will wilt. I live in an area with VERY sandy soil (Daytona Beach area, barrier island) and it doesn’t seem to matter how much “raising” of a bed I do, the good soil seems to disappear into the sand in a matter of months.
Our intense summer sun will kill off or stunt the growth of almost all vegtable plants. Shade doesn’t seem to help that much. In general, plant crops early enough (Jan-Feb, March at latest) that they will mature and you can harvest them before the hard heat sets in. Also plant when heat starts to break in late Sept-Oct. If you live in an area that doesn’t get freezes (We are close enough to the beach we escape the 32 degree mark) some veggies will last several years. I have green peppers, tomatoes and eggplants that are going on their third season.
Don’t give up! Try three kinds of tomato plants…Roma’s, Big Boys, Cherry, etc. Plant them in various parts of your yard (and remember to mark them well!) and see what takes hold and where. I bought a six-pack of Big Boys and Roma’s at Lowes. Two went on the North exposure of the house, two in the shade of a citrus tree and two in between hibiscus bushes, mostly in the sun. The only Roma’s that florished were the two with the Northern exposure. The only Big Boys that took off were between the hibiscus.
Try planting under your tree, but also try any other places where an extra plant would look nice. My eggpants are about 3–4 feet high with beautiful leaves and purple blooms that everyone comments on. They are placed in between my yellow lantana plants that are borders and the eggplants look like part of the landscape.
Things I had good overall success with: Peppers (any kind…again try different varieties), eggplant, black-eyed peas, squash (if they find a place they like…heat kills the plant),tomatoes, onions (buy “sets” in bags, usually I find them at Walmart), parsley, chive, basil.
Things that I have to coax (or just can’t get going!): Peas, melons, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers. I think part of the problem is I have been trying to grow these things when it is too hot and the plants can’t take it.
Use fertilizer…Our soil stinks! Read the planting guide on the back of the seed packets. Whatever the time table is on the seed package, plant as soon (or even a couple weeks sooner) than the guide states.
Have fun!
Hello everyone here is what came out of the governors conference 2 days ago. It seems several leaders changed their attitudes. Also the G8 conference had a lot of data given to them by 3 research scientist two from the CDC and 1 from WHO - so we now wait and see what happens next.
…”If the nation hopes to avoid the worst of a severe bird flu outbreak, states need to act now to build a network of workers, create public-private relationships and make the time to train, the nation’s governors say in a new report.
The report released Tuesday by the National Governors Association aims to guide governors and other state leaders as they prepare for what could be - in one scenario - a catastrophe that takes thousands upon thousands of lives, devastates government operations and shuts down businesses……”
What else can I say The above 2 paragraphs says it all…
Pass the word! :) things are looking up
Snow White - Thank you for all the advice. I will put beds in different places, on top of landscape screen. There’s just no way for us to till what tries to pass for soil over here. I’m in east Orange County, not too far away. Have Bahia grass, no sprinkler system, and not much shade. I’ll hold off on planting until September, but will try to grow sprouts on the screen porch. I’ve had great luck there with basil and other herbs.
Richard I’ve started emailing a couple of resistant friends many news articles from NewsNow that I check daily. They can get mad, but they can also come around. I had GREAT luck in talking to my 87 year old grandmother last night. She relayed stories she had been told about the 1918 pandemic. She was born in June of 1919. She’s ready to shop and help get other family members moving that aren’t already moving. That’s good progress isn’t it?
Thanks RICHARD FL – at 20:45 for the governor’s info —it’s been so quiet lately. It’s nice to know they are still talking about it in a serious vane.
Hi, Orlandopreppie on 18 July. I live in Amsterdam and we also have those Golden Rain trees here- they’re beautiful, aren’t they? I wanted to plant flowering shrubs around the one in our garden, because there was nothing growing under it and it looked kind of bare. Several friends told me that NOTHING will grow under those trees, they shed a substance that prevents undergrowth. Now, ask at a garder center or gardener to see if that applies with your type of tree. Good luck with those raised beds. Have you ever tried growing sunflower sprouts in soil? It works well on window ledges in small, shallow pots ans they’re ready to eat in 3–4 days.
Also, I thought your ides about the “online journal” was very good. Sort of “sneak it in on ‘em” and sooner or later they’ll get intrigued!
I lived a time in St. Augustine (luckily nit in the summer). Wow was it beautful there by the beach.
Sorry!! I forgot to change to my regular handle.
Hi All
May I please ask for information? I live in France, and I have a friend who’s flying to Miami Beach on Saturday. She’ll stay there for a few days. I’d like to have her purchase fish antibiotics for me and bring them back here. Would you be able to give me the address of a pet shop or veterinary drugs supply store for such supplies? Many thanks.
FrenchieGirl, we have a store here called Petsmart. It’s a national chain and they are huge, and in half of every shopping plaza. Have her ask her Hotel employees where the nearest Petsmart is, they probably have what you want. You can look them up online to get an idea of how pervasive they are.
Thanks Ocean2! I know that they drop their leaves in the fall, and I rake them up but didn’t know they impacted soil. It’s not very big, only been in the ground three four years (we named him George), so he doesn’t provide much shade. St. Augustine is gorgeous. We have a lot of unknown beaches here that are still pristine. Amsterdam is on my list of place to go. My brother was there for two months filming a movie about three years ago and he liked it very much. He tried to go to the Anne Frank Museum for me, but the line was incredibly long. What is the attitude towards prepping over there?
FrenchieGirl – at 15:17
You or your friend can try www.MiamiBeach411.com, click on the yellow pages on the left and it can give a list of pet stores that may be able to help her. Petsmart is good but there isn’t one on Miami Beach, she’d have to look for one near in Miami. Good Luck and I hope she has a great time. I only live about 45 minutes from Miami Beach — make sure she brings an umbrella for the afternoons :)
Orlandopreppie — at 15:49 and Dusty — at 21:43
Many many thanks to both of you. I’ll look it up this morning and make the list. Do you need anything from France (or Switzerland)? I can give her and she can snail-mail it to you. Let me know, my email’s on my profile. Thanks again.
Dusty,
Down here in Miami, the Petsmarts are virtually very limited on their fish antibiotics, plus they’re at outrageous prices. What I’ve done is go to one of the feed stores in the country here in Miami and bought my fish antibiotics from them. There is a much better selection and much better prices. Personally, I go to Robbies Feed out in the Redlands area. I know Miami Beach area well, and I highly doubt much, if anything, will be found there.
Shad.
Hello everyone: History channel had a 1 hour special that included Bird Flu. It was about future disasters listing them in order of possibility. BF was 3 or 10. expected to hit within 10 years if not from H5N1.
Tomorrow Jacksonville (FL) is have a Bird Flu (H5N1) Health and Planning Seminar and lectures at the Convention center, I plan on being there and hope to make some points for our side:(Preppers). They are to talk about county and state wide prepatation under way and things that still need doing. The other side of the convention center is a gun show. So I get 2 for 1….. LOL :)
I will post by Sunday nite so if any one has a specific question let me know by 9 am tomorrow. I plan on being there the whole 4 hours. I will ask questions that I think individuals who have smoe knowledge of what’ up would ask.
My e-mail is: flamosier@comcast.net if you wan to post a private question.
Have a nice weekend everyone.
Smile and you will have a great day!
Richard, ask them how many days worth of chlorine they have for water treatment! I want somebody to answer the question! Also, ask them how it’s delivered (rail or truck). I’d also like to know if they have county legislation allowing them to prohibit travel into and out of the county. Jeez, there are a lot of questions but I just got home and it’s so late. Good luck, I trust you will gather lots of info and share. I’ll make a note of your email address and email later if I think of something really good.
FrenchieGirl-I wasn’t much help but you are welcome. Thank you for the offer of goodies, it’s very sweet. Let us know how your friend makes out.
Hello everyone I want to start by saying that my hopes for a real interaction between the public and government went to the dogs at the jacksonville meeting. Boy was I ever wrong. They had 3 guest speakers all which said the same basic thing that planning for the BF was on going and that they expect to have local plans in place sometime this fall. I was able to ask 3 questions during a Q&A session with the Dept medical health director for NE Florida. I was given the run-a-round by this guy - either their answers were the stock in trade we have all seen or no answer at all. They would not admit that they (Govenment) would not be able to support the local level efforts.
So back to square one we have to set up our local neighborhoods similar to the neighborhood watch program. I watch your back you watch mine. I have an association meeting coming up on the 3rd of August I will see what I can do there.
Sorry guys I had HI hopes…..!
Well Richard, I’m not surprised. The same thing happened to me in Orlando in June. I intended to contact my association president…but I haven’t yet. They are having a meeting right now, but I’m too tired to go. I’m reluctant to “out” myself too much because this neighborhood is not very cohesive.
Interesting — just returned from Key West. I never saw so many roosters and chickens walking freely around in my life! There have always been roosters, but now they are really, really everywhere. The mayor wants to get rid of them and is now using bf as an “excuse” but the locals are totally against it.
The sad thing is, if B.F. comes out swinging, someone will start the rumor that the government ran wild chickens in the streets to kill off the poor so they could develope their property. Natural selection is afoot not just in KeY West, but every where.
I think conspiracy theories are Americas favorite pastime. Haven’t written much the past couple of days because teacher’s are back to work already and I’m tired again! Also had a funeral to go to…to help my best friend. Anyway, I read today that there are 44 people in Thailand quarantined with BF symptoms after the one boy died. His dad said it couldn’t be BF because his contact with dead chickens was last month. However, this is an area where massive amounts of birds have died. Also big on cock-fighting. Barbaric.
Hello everyone - back from Jax and welcoming our new granddaughter into the world.
I sent an email to the editor of our local newspaper to embarrass him into writing an updated story about the importance of prepping. I sent him links to a dozen other local papers who are doing a great job of covering the topic…and asked when OUR newspaper would be catching up. Should be interesting to see if I get any response. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, I found two interesting links to share. One was a radio show from 1989 interviewing Philadelphians who lived through the 1918 flu… “I Remember When: What Became of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918″ http://www.talkinghistory.org/hardy.html
The other was an interview in Tampa - although not a high budget show, they did a good job of setting the stage. This is a great tool to email to others to pass along. It’s a 30 minute show. Check it out!! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8644690922139521166&q=pandemic
Orlandopreppie I also saw that article and am concerned. One said 11 children between 4–14 were in 5 different hospitals with suspected bird flu. I really think this could be of some importance if they learn it is. Seems like a slow burn may be smokin up the kitchen.
Just got back my water testing of my sprinkler well here in St Lucie county. I used www.uldrinkwell.com by Underwriters Labs……found out I can use the water for drinking only if I filter it or bleach it first. It actually tested better than I thought it would. I have had the hand pump installed , so this will be a good backup source.
Does anybody recall how long it takes to get BF test results back. Looks like a big “burn smoking up in the kitchen” all over Asia. I thought it was suppose to go dormant in the summer months?
Ranchgirl- congratulations on the new grandbaby! Hope Mom and baby are doing well, and Dad too of course.
Thanks Orlandopreppie. Everyone is doing well.
JT - We live in western Martin County - and use well water. Our well is about 90–100 feet deep…too deep for a hand pump I think. But…we have an artesian spring on the vacant property next to us that we thought we would use for drinking water if necessary…purified of course. Couldn’t seem to connect to www.uldrinkwell.com. Do you simply send them a sample of your water and they tell you what it needs to become drinkable?
Hi Ranch girl and JT, I’m in St Lucie County. No well here. Sprinklers are from the canal I think. I think my only resource is rain water collection off my tile roof. But you know how it is here during the winter. Sunny, Sunny and more Sunny. No rain. So I guess I’ll just keep filling up the 2 litre bottle.
Hi StLucieLady - Believe it or not, we bought a black rubber cattle watering trough (about the size of a bathtub) that is great for collecting rainwater. Granted, you have to clean it up a bit before using it, but with that “wide mouth”, it fills up pretty quickly in a good solid rain.
I don’t think the depth of the well is an issue for handpumping, I believe it is the static water level. My neighbor just had a well installed by the same company that installed ours (175ft) many years back and I called them today and asked if they made a note of the static water level. They looked up the paperwork and told me it was 10′. So if my understanding is correct, I can use a handpump that is good for up to 20′ and put approximately 15–20′ of pipe on it and lower it down the well.
I’m debating over trying to build one from Gary’s plans or just spending about $100 and buying one.
My well water is really heavy in iron and sulfur and goes through two filters right now. I might consider handpumping it into 55 gallon tanks and then shocking it with chlorine and letting it stand long enough to treat the water and dissapate. I am planning on storing enough bottled water for drinking and cooking as we use bottled now for those things. It would still be nice to have somewhat clean water for bathing, washing clothes and dishes, etc. I’ll have to figure out how long it would have to sit before usable and buy enough 55 gallon tanks to rotate them.
I’m also thinking a 12v Shurflo pump hooked to the main plumbing might be a nice luxury to draw water out of the tanks and pressurize the house. Should be able to run it off a single deepcell and a meager solar panel I would think.
Here’s a silly question…what exactly is a 55 gallon “tank”? Next question re 12v Shurflo pump hooked to the main plumbing - where exactly would you hook that up? What constitutes the “main plumbing” - is it at the wellg
I just got a Lehman’s catalog with several hand pumps in there ranging in price from $29 - $569. The Cistern pump is $29 and “will lift water from up to 20′ down”. Any feedback on pumps???
ranchgirl 23:19 I think the watering trough is a great idea but I don’t think my HOA will go for it. HAHA!
when I said “tank”, I was actually thinking “barrel”, like what others are buying to store rain water runoff. It would be something that I could move with a dolly once filled and possibly use Chlorine in to treat my well water (this would not be drinking water).
On the 12v Shurflo, I was thinking that it would hookup to the current output of my well pump that goes into the house (bypassing the current filters of course). It should be able to keep the inside plumbing pressurized. This would eliminate the need to fill the toliet tanks with a bucket, give me water at the sink, and even possibly allow the use of the shower. I think I could plumb it next to my above ground 220v pump and just use valves to determine which is the primary.
I’m still debating on manual pumps. I have looked at Lehman’s website and it looks like I could get a pump for less than $100 that would do the job but I am debating trying out the plans from “Gary in DeathValley” first as it would be cheap to build and if it worked well I could help my neighbors replicate it during an emergency for their wells.
Orlandopreppie and I met for the first time yesterday. It was great to meet a kindred spirit from the ‘wiki. It was a short visit (I was driving from Ft. Lauderdale to Tallahassee) but well worth the stop!
Take care everybody!
FLgardenmom - thanks so much for the visit! I told some people about all the good info. you passed to me. I’ll do the research this week for the videotape of the Florida summit we spoke about. It was wonderful to be able to look another person, who thinks like me, in the eye. I’m glad you made it home safely. School starts tomorrow, so I’m heading off to bed in a minute.
I’m hoping to see anon_22 when she’s in the States next month. We met at the Wiki Summit, but it will be great to spend time with her alone if a schedule can be worked out.
Are other Wikians getting together? The mod’s summit in June was fabulous for us.
It’s great to hear that others are getting together and meeting. It is nice to be able to put a face to the online handle. I hardly ever travel anymore due to my insane schedule at home, but I am glad I was able to multitask (yes, I am a mom, but my brain doesn’t multitask well- I am a dying breed) my trip and meet Orlandopreppie.
Melanie and the mods, thank you for making the wiki possible!
Here we go again.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/090730.shtml?5day
Just bought another citrus tree, this time a navel orange tree (got a lemon earlier this year). Fresh fruit will be welcome if SIP occurs.
Just got back from Publix, fridges were way to empty after vacation. Besides the usual stuff I bulk up on, I noticed something new. I have a bunch of boxes of Pillsbury Banana Bread mix. Just needs water, oil, and eggs (I have powered eggs). I noticed today for the first time, probably because they were B1G1F, that the Betty Crocker “Wild Blueberry” muffin mix was also label with a quick bread recipe. After checking the recipe I picked up a pair of Blueberry as well as a pair of “Cinnamon Streusel” which also has a quick bread recipe. I’ll try and find some time to bake them and see how they taste. Nothing beats baking when it is 97 degrees out!
They also had a “new” Chocolate Chip muffin/bread mix but it was sold out. I’m still practicing bread baking from flower but these are much easier and I’ve already baked a batch in the BBQ so I know I can do it if the power fails.
nopower- We have been testing them on the kids this week. Thumbs up all around. We have added them to our stockpile. Remember that you can use cupcake liners (if the power is not out) and not worry about washing the muffin pan if need be.
Any idea on cooking a quick bread using a single-burner camp stove? Perhaps a double boiler with an aluminum foil dome? Just curious.
Flgardenmom,
Get a camp oven. I’ve cooked quick breads over an open fire with one. They are cheap and fold flat when not in use.
Hello guys I’m sorry I’ve been off line but I got some great news today… No I did not win the lottery dam—t missed by just a few numbers (6) LOL.
Here in NE Florida we findly got some attention to the BF problem. Maybe it was because the FDA has declared that upon the first case of H5N1 in the county, all commerical poultry business will have their birds checked. IF H5N1 IS FOUND ALL BIRDS WITHIN 2 MILES WILL BE DESTROYED.
We also got 3 articles in the local papers. Two county commisioners have called me and started asking questions. Some I had answers, some I did not. But I did have locations to find the answers thanks to this site…:D
The local Health Director has met with me. It seems that we have a hidden Prepper in THE local Health director. We went over the county plans We have only 1 hospital for 120,000 people. The local AMA types don’t want to prepare for it other then what is required by the Feds since it would cost money. So we still have fences to climb over.
I did find several plans to use untreated water either lake/river/pond sources. The filters and materials cost about $60.00 for 3–6 gallons per day. No one can spend the gas/firewood to sit and boil water.
I also found a site that for about $45.00 can have sunshine heat 25 gallons to 173 degrees daily. (which is what you need) They show how to make up to 3,000 gallon sites if needed. mY e-mAIL IS FLAMOSIER@COMCAST.NET IF YOU WANT INFO ON EITHER PLANS.
Water will be the worst problem… Most counties have a 2 weeks supply of chemicals to run their plants. After that you are on your own. Also how will you be notified to boil your water? Give/Find out if you can and post it..
So I’ve been busy. Also got a job today first in 9 years so I can prep alot more…. Sorry it’s so long
Sorry But a few questions has hit me just now
Can you catch H5N1 from the water? Birds use the same sources of water we do… How do youcheck for it, and more importantly can it(H5N1) survive in water?
Great news Richard-FL! Glad to hear things are happening in FL. I remember reading in a thread on this site your question regarding water contamination, mainly from bird droppings falling into the water, but I don’t remember where I read it or the answer. (senior moment) Maybe one of the mods can answer this question.
Congratulations Richard on the job! My husband had an interview today, and second one is scheduled for Friday. It only pays $10 an hour, but it’s better than unemployment! It will help me alot! Boy, sounds like you’ve had a lot of progress. I hope it keeps up, especially after the CDC report yesterday.
FLGardenMom, a friend at school gave me a catalog that has the one burner stove for $15. Is that a pretty good price? It would be my third back-up, and I think I can use the fuel cans from Sam’s for it. I’ve been so tired today and yesterday that I haven’t looked for the conference yet. I will do that tomorrow, it’s “early release” day and I’ll have another hour in my life. Woo Hoo! Please say a prayer for hubby’s job!
Orlandopreppie – at 23:31 You and your family are in my thoughts today.
If anyone has any ideas about my water questions let us all know. Water I believe will become the most important thing. You can only live 5–7 days without it!
My county water Utility tells me that all personnel are crossed training on operating the system. Then I asked who fixs it when it breaks (Pipes, Motors, Pumps, etc.) He did not have that answer but said he would look in to it and get back with me.
So the operators are ok but the pipefitters, welders, and electrical workers (who make the system work) “oh well”. think about it.
One step forward---two steps back!
Ranch girl….. on well water testing at www.uldrinkwell.com yes they send you a complete test kit, you fill up samples, place in kit and overnight back…tests start at 99 bucks but you get a multi page report and can also talk to them over phone…
It’s finally Friday, and I have a little energy left. Have any of you Florida folks heard that using a solar oven won’t work down here because of the clouds? I don’t see that it would be a problem, especially in the winter when we don’t have cumulo nimbus (the big ones) clouds. I intend to make our first solar oven this weekend and give it a shot in the morning. What do you think?
Richard, I’ll want that information on water but need to wait about three weeks before I can spend a dime.
Orlandopreppie – at 18:38
My understanding that it was as much a humidity problem as a cloud problem. Something about it causing cooking times that were too slow/too low to be safe.
The kids and I did do some solar cooking projects, but they were small, easy to cook things like hot dogs, marshmallows, easily melty kinda things. I did notice that the denser the item to be cooked was, the more unlikely we were to be successful at getting it cooked all the way through.
And it was a bunch of work … we had to keep an eye on the cooker and adjust it very regularly to keep it going. I prefer cooking in a box oven with a couple of charcoal brickets to be honest.
Richard … double check my answer … but in previous discussions on other threads I believe it was a question of particles per millions or whatever. Whether the concentration of the virus is high enough to contaminate from the water source.
Besides latitude and altitude, insolation affects how well a solar cooker performs. Insolation is the amount of solar radiation that actually reaches the surface of the Earth through haze or cloud cover.
I got a new book, can you tell! Interestingly enough, Great Falls Montana actually experiences more days of sunshine in an average year than Miami Florida! It says the desert west has the greatest cooking potential. But it (my new book) encourages all of us to try it, even in areas closer to 60th parallels of latitude. There’s just a shorter window of opportunity during the summer months the farther away from the equator you are.
Kathy in FL, I checked and my ignorance is showing! I thought a solar oven was a box oven. Ok, I sense a new lesson coming on. Give it to me straight, I can take it. If it’s a humidity issue then I’m in trouble. Remember I said once that if I can have my bread, a Coke, and a few potato chips then everything would be alright? I mean, afterall, there’s no need to be uncivilized about this whole SIP thing! Right? Well, if I can’t make my bread then I’m gonna get my “grump” on! Maybe I can use that, and a hotflash as a home defense weapon.
Silversage, is insolation something I can increase? I was more worried about bugs getting in than anything else.
Orlandopreppie
That’s the first time I’ve smiled alllllll day! You can’t really change insolation unless you can change the cloud formations or other atmospheric conditions. The haze and/or clouds will affect you solar oven. Were you using solar or box oven. The good news it that because of your post I’ve started looking into box ovens. That looks very promising to me for cooking breads, cakes, …… Off to the library for another book.
Silversage, you just don’t know how powerful I am! ha ha.
In the simplest form of answer … the difference between a solar oven and a box oven is fuel.
A solar oven is fueled by the sun. A box oven is fueled by other stuff.
In its most primitive form a box oven is a cardboard box that has been covered with aluminum foil and then uses charcoal brickets as its fuel. Look on scouting websites for drawings and directions. They are actually fun and really work. I was a scout leader for over 6 years and had plenty of meals out of them.
More advanced box ovens could use propane or some other fuel source. I have an aluminum “box oven” that sits over my coleman stove burner and I cook the dickens with it when we go camping.
Ok guys I’m back.
The info deals with cooking in San Francisco in 60 degree cloudy weather. To get drinking water so nothing lives in it, you have to get the temp to 173F not boiling hot for 10 minutes. This will work here in Florida. it is hotter at 90 here then 60 in san francisco.
Last year I used a box type (Temporaty solar cooker) which is a cardboard box three sided with foil on all sides a small peice of insualation placed in the bottom or use a hook w/wire and tripod; with a black painted pot covered tightly to cook food. I found it took a total of 15 minutes to get the temp up to 180 degrees and keep it there as long as there is sunlight.
Remember I’m talking of saving gas or firewood by not boiling your water. This info came from the Fl/Ca universities depts of Ag - solar development of energy sources I can E-mail anyone who wants info on the temp oven or the solar still; yes you could use it to make beer or hard liquor as part of their processing if you wanted to. But that is against the law remember…… lol let me know by Tuesday since I’m going to disney world at the end of the week with my grandkids. My e-mail is listed above on an earlier comment
See ya
Richard, I just emailed you. I’m petsmom. Can you send me the oven and water info? Are you staying down here for a few days or just doing the one day thing?
Orlandopreppie – at 19:06 - you have mail. I will be down for 4 or 5 days at disney world staying at the animal safari park resort. It sounded very nice and the rail goes to all the other parks.
If BF hits I do not want to be down there!!! you are going to have trouble with all the tourist in the area. Just think about it 50,000 guests for a 3 or 6 month time frame…
RICHARD_FL – at 17:52 - Water takes a while to heat up in a solar oven. You’ll need to measure the water temperature and be sure that it’s high enough rather than infer the water temperature from the air temperature value.
Richard_FL, if it hit while you were here I’d come to help you, but I don’t think it’ll hit yet. You have a friend and I’d help get you out of town. Otherwise, I’m across town from there about 35 miles, right next to UCF so I worry more about unprepared college students than tourists. My Dad is less than five from Disney property, but he’s off the beaten path…and just had two wells put in…in addition to a large swimming pool…he’s better set for water.
I’ve stayed at a couple of the resorts out there, but Animal Safari wasn’t one of them. They’re all nice as far as I’m concerned! However, none will live up to the TeePee Motel of my 8 year old dreams. Somewhere in Arizona, on a trip to California, is the epitome of elegance…the TeePee Motel (with an air conditioner in every window)…I really wanted to stay in that beautiful resort but my grandparents wouldn’t stop. So there I was, whizzing past with my little nose and hands flat against the backseat of a Ninety-Eight Olds, with tears in my eyes as the TeePee Motel (with an air conditioner in every window) flew by. Never to be seen again.
This commnet is to NW Florida prepper’s Hurricane Alley RN and FLpreppingmom, I thought I was the only one up here!! I’m in Fort Walton Beach. I too usually say I am prepping for hurricane’s!!! I don’t have the plastic for the door and the zipper yet, couldn’t get dh to go for that one yet. I do have a BF map on the wall of outbreaks. My kids laugh at me, and I try to tell them its for purely scientific reasons only. Of course they don’t belive me. If I could wrap them in bubble wrap when they first learn to drive trust me I would. I make my 12 year take germx to school and keep in her locker. Anywho-happy prepping everyone in the sunshine state and keep praying for NO HURRICANES!!!!!
Orlandopreppie – at 23:16 Is that on interstate 40? If so I saw it in Dec 1975 while traveling to chicago from LA.
The article talks about temp and you need a good one for this purpose.
No Hurricanes then no water for us bring em on we are ready after 9 last year!
Richard, YOU PASSED THE TEEPEE MOTEL (with an air conditioner in every window) AND DIDN’T STOP? AND YOU WERE IN CONTROL OF YOUR OWN VEHICLE? OMG, I know you regret that now. Interstate 40 sounds familar, but I was eight…1972, so I have no idea other than I got ripped off at the petrified forrest, dipped in the grand canyon, bored at the painted dessert, let down at the Teepee Motel (with an air conditioner in every window), and scared poo-less at Hoover Damn. Bakersfield was cool though, saw my Big Nanny, climbed an apricot tree, learned what a “fanny flapper” was, and discovered snuff. It was a memorable trip.
Boredstayathomemom, Hi neighbor! Glad you have joined the group. I lived in Ft. Walton in my younger days. Lived down the street from Wright Elementary. Was there during the Cuban Missile Crisis. My dad was stationed at Eglin. When B52′s are lined up on the runways and your dad brings home boxes of rations, even a little kid knows sommeting is wrong. Needless to say, I’m always prepared. Once again, I’m not looking forward to hurricane season. I have a feeling Mobile is a very possible target. Of course, that puts both of us on the bad side of the storm. Hope I’m wrong! See you around. gina
Boredstayathomemom, Hi! I’m a SAHM also! I’m also pretty protective. My kids are used to the hand sanitizer routine anytime we’re out. Of course we still catch everything it seems since they are so young and exposed to others their age.
It is very nice to go into hurricane season much more prepared than ever. The last 2 hurricane seasons prompted me to get prepared in general. I did not want to be someone standing in long lines trying to get dwindling supplies again! Also, hurricanes are so short and confined that it made me realize how disastrous a pandemic could be for supplies if everyone is hit at once lasting months and months. It amazes me how fast store shelves empty of many items just prior to a hurricane. Glad you’re here!
I attended a class given by Dr Lanza, head of Escambia Co Fl Health Dept, yesterday for doctors titled “Avian Influenza: The Next Pandemic?”. (Note: I am not a doctor, but heard about the class and decided to see if I could get in.)
Most of the basic stuff we already knew, but he did talk more in scientific/medical terms.
Consensus: A pandemic is inevitable, but unknown whether it will be Avian Flu and muted or catastrophic.
None (H5N1) has been found in birds in North America…that has been unexpected good news. It had been expected to have already happened this year.
Escambia Co has been given $40,000 to prepare by the state.
He has the authority by the state to order quarantines.
So far, persons under age 40 are much more likely to get sick.
Days elapsed since symptoms appeared until hospitalization is less than 8 for the vast majority of patients.
While the official CFR remains 58%, he suspects there have been people with mild to no symptoms who have gotten the disease. The downside to this is that such people could have the ability to spread the disease unknowingly while they are infected.
If someone gets sick or has to take care of someone sick, plan on them being unable to work 30 days.
Escambia County has “sentinal” chickens in the county. Periodically blood samples are taken from them and checked for diseases such as West Nile Virus and Avian Flu.
Escambia County is looking for people to become part of the Medical Reserve Corps to help in catastophies and pandemics.
He did not talk about individual preparedness.
The doctor appeared serious (and so did the group of doctors and nurses there). Other than him kidding that the class would be 2 hours instead of 1, there was no laughter.
He encouraged people to get annual flu shots…if you get the flu you would probably know it is not the normal seasonal flu he said in response to a question about flu shots.
Escambia will be putting out more public education info such as washing hands and not shaking hands (in a pandemic).
He mentioned an email list he had which will be used to send notice to area doctors on it when the first case of avain flu is found in the U.S. I contacted the Health Dept this morning and was placed on that list.
Whole Bunches – at 21:09 You are on the ball great work. Now if only other counties could due the same thing>>>….. Well you can lead a horse to water….. know what I mean.
does any one have any ideas about using a above ground swimming pool to store water if covered tightly?
Whole bunches,
Thanks for this info. Since I’m in Escambia I am glad to hear there is some talk about this. Can you tell me about how many doctors attended? It sounds like it was taken seriously. I wonder if there will be a flu shot shortage. Every year, though my family had several high risk individuals, we have had to spend hours tracking down the elusive flu vaccine. We’ve always managed to get it for us all but it’s been a challenge! Thanks again!
I would guess at least 60 doctors. I know there were some nurses, as I read that on some of the name tags. Estimate about 90 people there.
I saw my internal med doctor Friday. At the end of the visit, I mentioned BF. I didn’t know what his response would be…he surprised me by saying he felt it is going to happen. He asked who would be most likely to get infected and said front line office doctors and staff. He said he hoped it would be mild with only 100,000 deaths in the U.S.
Hi gang I just sent off two E-Mails to the CDC and pandemic-Gov to ask the following questions:
1) With H5N1 found in Wild Birds how do you protect our water supply. 2) How long can H5N1 survive in water? ANSWER FOUND: (20 hours) 3) How will our local water suppliers detect H5N1 virus? 4) How will our local water suppliers destroy H5N1 virus? 5) What guarantee do we have as end users (residential) that our water supply is safe?
I will send these questions to my local politicals, water supplier, and County Medical Director tomorrow. I think we all need to due this locally. We need answers now not 2 days after H5N1 is present in the water supply. I will start boiling water at the first hint of H5N1 in Florida…… Just to be safe…remember without safe water we all die within a few days…. Items for survival (1) clear head (2) water
Off topic. Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Az is what you saw. Just a few miles from standing on the corner in Winslow, Az.:-)
Thank you cactus az. Such a fine site to see. Maybe one day I’ll go back.
Richard, glad you’re back from Disney. Hope all was fun at the MouseHouse. Let me know if you hear from your officials with answers. If you do then I’ll try. I will be very surprised if you get answers.
I have not gone yet that is at the end of the month. laber day weekend…..
I hope that CDC will give us some answers. I was told (out of school) that the one answer I found “the virus can survive in water for 20 hours” is correct.
So any ideas on how to destroy this virus once it’s in the water supply besides boiling it?
You might want to hit up your local water suppliers in your counties.
SMILE and have a great day…..
This is the answers I got back for CDC:
1) Can we catch H5N1 from the water supply?
There has never been a human H5N1 case attributed to inhalation or ingestion of H5N1-contaminated water anywhere in the world. This remains a theoretical possibility, and has never been documented.
2) How do you kill the virus in the water supply?
Heat and chlorine will kill H5N1 virus, but we are not sure about the minimum concentration. There are recommendations for disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces with 10% chlorine bleach, but we are do not know the minimum concentration for chlorine in water.
So even though no one has caught H5N1 from water supply it still could happen. The CDC does not know how to kill H5N1 if it is in the water supply.
Next up is EPA for clean water act… killing H5N1 in water supply.
Interesting. Maybe you should double post this on one of the water threads. Having official response is good. Have you read any of the threads dealing with current Asian situation? Somebody was posting who went to official FEMA training last month, and was told to prep for a minimum of 3 month, ASAP. This by a Director somewhere in HHS.
School is back in, and I’ve just agreed to take on two periods of 8th grade in addition to 4 of 7th so my energy level is low, I’m also losing my plan period. I haven’t been posting as much because I’m just tired trying to get it all up and going. At home we’re using more of our limited time and energy to actually implement the things we planned last month. I check in daily, just don’t post. Hopefully this will improve. Thanks for keeping me informed. Have a great night! Time for sleep.
I understand - I have 12 credit hours college starting in a week besides job and family it is alot but hang in there girl..
You too Richard. I’m still shopping for a Master’s program…hopefully online. I can’t believe how expensive graduate hours are. Jeez. I think I’ll go for National Certification next year, the first I’m eligible. It only takes a year, and will give me an extra $8500 a year, I can use that to pay for the Masters…and some long term permanent preps.
Our afternoon rain cycle looks like it is finally getting back to normal. If I could count on this sort of cycle then I wouldn’t be so stressed about water.
Anyone on the southeast side bake bread?? I’ve been trying to find some good hard white wheat flour locally but haven’t had any luck. Struck out at: Publix, Winn-Dixie, Sam’s, Walmart SS, BJ’s. I’m not at the point where I want to order 50lbs of wheat and grind it myself but I would like to experiment with some better wheat. I might have to order some online but I was hoping to find it locally.
And what is going on with this hurricane season, it’s almost september and we’ve only had 3 tropical storms, weird ?!?!
nopower, Living in the corn belt might be the reason you can’t find the wheat. As for lack of hurricanes, this season is actually normal. I think the education system is messing everybody up. Remember when we didn’t go back to school until after Labor Day and that would be when the hurricanes would show up. Anyway, good luck finding the wheat flour. gina
Good evening all, hope everyone is doing well. Wanted to ask if anyone in the Pensacola area knows where to find window alarms at a reasonable price. I have been searching websites for Walmart, Home Depot etc and can’t seem to find them maybe sold in a pack of 5 for around $15 or so. I give that example because I saw that deal on a website offering home alarms. Would rather buy them locally if possible. Anyone purchase some in this area before?
Am not from your area, but we had to buy them when our pool was installed — $19 a pack at Home Depot and Lowes. Any pool store would have them also.
In case you can’t find them in your area (I couldn’t), I bought mine from here:
http://tinyurl.com/ed2sq (ebay link)
They are very cheaply made but they all work. I did find that some of them are very loud while a couple aren’t as loud so I placed the loudest ones farthest away from my bedroom. They are also easy to turn off or disable within a couple seconds which could be a bad thing, but ones with disarm codes or keys were alot more money and these work fine for me.
If panflu hits and I worry about my doors and windows, I’m going to block them off on the inside with bookcases and cabinets and just leave two solid metal doors with deadbolts unblocked.
nopower @ 20:46
What exactly do you mean by “good hard white wheat flour”?. In our area, Pillsbury, Gold Medal, King Arthurs, store brands, etc., are generally the type of flour that you’ll find. I don’t know about you, but down here in Miami we have the healthfood store chain Wild Oats that sells organic flours and grains.
Personally, I do buy whole grains, and several different kinds and grind them up into flour myself. I have an electric grinder so it takes about 2 minutes to grind up about 10 cups of flour so it’s a non issue for me. I like the nutrients and fiber that go into my baked products by grinding my own, thus preserving the bran, the germ and the endosperm.
Shad.
shadddup – at 09:36,
I’ve bought Pillsbury and Gold Medal from the local groceries but was looking specifically for hard white wheat flour such as the kind from Golden 86, white wheat. King Arthurs sells hard white wheat flour on their website and lists they sell it locally but all the places they list it under in my area don’t have it - Publix, Walmart SS, BJ’s. I went down to the Whole Foods market on Glades and 95 and I couldn’t even find flour there, they seemed to be geared more to the non-cooking/baking college crowd.
I’ll see if their is a Wild Oats around here, my aunt loves the one by her in Colorado.
Have you found King Arthurs Flour at any of the chains down south??? I was about to order some online but got sidetracked. Ideally I would like to by an electric grinder and some Golden 86 from Walton but I can’t justify the expense right now - especially when I love the 5 grain Italian bread from my local Publix.
Just took a look at locations and nothing near me, but I go down to Homestead quite a bit and the Pinecrest store is about 17 miles NE of there so I’ll have to check it out next time I am down there.
nopower, there is a Wild Oats on Sunrise (across from the Galleria Mall) in Fort Lauderdale — you may want to call them first to see if they have the flour you want. Good luck.
Floridians can continue their discussion ‘’‘here
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