[Byron100]

If the majority of people were to stay at home during a pandemic for as long as a year, how would people pay bills? Or would the gov't just make everything "free", i.e, no rent payments, no mortgage payments, no utility bill payments, etc (like they'd be anyone in the processing centers to process payments anyhow...LOL.) They'd probably will have emergency food distribution centers in each neighborhood and so on and so forth, but I certainly wouldn't count on that. Stocking up is a never a bad idea, for anyone.

I tell you what, if I see that a pandemic is about to overtake the US, I'll be going into hyper charging mode, running up all the debt I could manage on preps...it's highly unlikely they'd be sending out collectors to try and get it all back when I don't pay the bill...bwawhaa.

The sick and dying aside, a massive pandemic would be truly an awesome thing to see, as it'd surely grind our economic "system" into dust, ever to return again. To me, that's well worth the price of admission.

[skyemoor]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Byron100', 'I')f the majority of people were to stay at home during a pandemic for as long as a year, how would people pay bills?

[mystiek]

Just a thought about the Tamiflu-maybe you can ask your doctor for a rx for Tamiflu now. B.Tex is right-the "garden variety flu" can land you in the hospital very easily. I will also tell you that as a physician in the winter season, you will see ER's packed and some hospitals full to where they are on diversion. Now, imagine a pandemic-very letheal avian flu hitting-in most areas our health care system will be overrun, health care workers that didn't take proper precautions (vaccines, tamiflu, etc) sick and unable to work-I dread the thought. The best thing to do is prepare now. I asked one of the drug reps that wandered through our office peddling Flumist (nasal spray instead of the flu shot) about plans for bird flu vaccines and she said that they believe that Flumist may have some protective properties against the bird flu. I haven't seen anything official so its not something you can count on-but the point is that the drug mfgs are definitely looking at it. Preventative measures such as good hand washing, etc is always important too.

[Homesteader]

One of the issues with H5N1 is the cytokine storm it causes in the body. The virologists etc. . . who study this feel that is one of the main causes behind why the death rate is higher in young people. Young people (say 10 to 30) have stronger immune systems which causes a stronger cytokine storm which then overwhelms the body.

Something like elderberry extract which strengthens the immune system may actually be counterproductive.

Lots of this type of info. on Plandemic Flu Information at

https://www.singtomeohmuse.com/

[Homesteader]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Homesteader', 'A') pandemic is expected to come in waves and last up to two years.

To quote the Head of New Jersey Homeland Security: "You won't be going to work, you will be in your homes for a year trying to stay alive."

[wisconsin_cur]

That would be fine from my point of view... a great way to dry run... I might, however, be mandated to show up for my job, even though my job description would not be needed... the institution would be looking for available hands... my running joke with my co-workers (I work at a hospital) that it would be my job to dump the bodies in the river (the hospital sits on about 200 yards of riverfront).

I'm sure they would get us a dump truck.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', ' ')it would be my job to dump the bodies in the river

[Consensi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('skyemoor', 'I')f the attack and mortality rate approaches or exceeds the 1918 flu pandemic, people will be staying home out of overwhelming concern for their family. The Bush Administration was trying to change this mindset by talking about 'distancing' at work, washing hands, and coughing in a socially acceptable manner, none of which would be widespread enough to do much to slow the spread (e.g., it only takes one person in a lobby/elevator/floor forgetting to cover their mouth).

[wisconsin_cur]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', ' ')it would be my job to dump the bodies in the river

[mystiek]

I don't want to get bumped to the die-off thread, but I wonder how well we are prepared to handle numerous deaths from a pandemic. You see on the news the aftermath of a natural disaster and they end up using mass graves. Its really chilling to think about it....Time to get some tamiflu and garlic (I heard it helps too...)

[Ferretlover]

Just tossing this into the mix: In a few years, with the loss of air travel, and limited resources for other forms of travel, the speed of spread might be slowed down. Does that sound logical?
Does anyone here know anyone who might be involved on an Outbreak Team?

[mystiek]

Sounds like a logical conclusion, but lets hope things have slowed down before the pandemic hits. In my infectious disease magazines that I look through spoke of the flu cases being complicated with secondary infections like MRSA. I see so much MRSA anymore-its a scarey double wamy.

[Ferretlover]

Just googled "respirators." This site, Grainger , had 603 entries-some in stock now, now "while supplies last." (disclaimer: I have never purchased from that site, and I am not connected with it in anyway). I had no idea there were so many different types.
My great-grandmother died during 1919 flu epedemic; my grandmother, who was 20 at the time, said she was only sick for a few days before she died.

Edit: fixed link

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'T')he 1918 flu outbreak should be studied by anyone who is seriously interested in what TSHTF scenarios in an industrialized society actually look like.

It's different than you think.

I linked to an excellent free online book about the history and possible future of flu pandemics in the overpopulation thread. Take a look at it if you have a chance.

BTW, a flu pandemic would likely take the young and strong in disproportionate numbers because of the way the virus infects your system. Thus, eating right and being physically fit could be irrelevant to one's survival chances.

The most common sense thing to do today, IMO, is stock up on N95 or N100 respirators, nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer and bleach. Even a rumor of an outbreak and you won't be able to find that stuff anywhere.

Tamiflu is a good idea if you can get it.

A good comfortable set of safety glasses is a good idea too. These are helpful in a variety of unpleasant scenarios.

There is reason to believe that a vaccine could be developed within six months of an outbreak, so I would think that getting through the first few months would be the most critical.

These 50 million dead estimates are silly. There would probably be more than that in India alone.

[HEADER_RACK]

There are lots of respirators out on the market. The key is in the cartridges you buy to put in them. You would want to get a hepa filter cartridge with a prefilter. 3m or campo half face resprators are pretty good. Cartridges last only so long and must be replaced. Approx. every 12 hours of use. Meaning 12 hours of constant breathing through the cartridge.
Respirators will only work if they are properly fitted to your face. No beards or goatees. Once on cover the cartridges with your hand and suck in. The respirator should collapse to the face. Then cover the exhast port and blow out. The respirator should expand around the mouth. If it doesn't do either of these you have a poor fit and it's allowing outside air to bypass the cartridges. If you really want to check get some perfume and spray in front of the respirator if you smell it. You need to adjust it.
Just a helpful tip.

[mystiek]

Your correct threadbear there has been some adverse effects assoc. with Tamiflu-reports I have read in the literature (pediatric) have mostly been assoc. with abnl behavior. Of course this is true with any medication-there's risks/benefits to be assessed.My oldest son came down with the flu and was rx Tamiflu within the first 48 hours and he did really well. If there was a bird flu outbreak and I had a choice of Tamiflu verses being in the back of Wisconsin-Cur's dump truck on my way to the river, I'll take my chances with the Tamiflu-but that is just my personal choice.

[RedStateGreen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mystiek', 'I') don't want to get bumped to the die-off thread, but I wonder how well we are prepared to handle numerous deaths from a pandemic. You see on the news the aftermath of a natural disaster and they end up using mass graves. Its really chilling to think about it....Time to get some tamiflu and garlic (I heard it helps too...)

[mystiek]

RSG-great! Just a couple of questions-pill size-like what my patient's call "horse pills?" or smaller? How often is it recommended to take it? I am making an attempt at growing garlic primarily for medicinal purposes.

[Homesteader]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('wisconsin_cur', ' ')it would be my job to dump the bodies in the river

[RedStateGreen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mystiek', 'R')SG-great! Just a couple of questions-pill size-like what my patient's call "horse pills?" or smaller? How often is it recommended to take it? I am making an attempt at growing garlic primarily for medicinal purposes.