Tamaroak wrote:
I don't think many of us really believe this government has its act
together about much of anything these days, much less disaster
preparedness, and even if it does, it sure wouldn't hurt to have some
options.

Given a worst case scenario, what would you want to have aboard your
boat if you decided to take off and live on it to avoid being infected
if this becomes an issue like it did in 1918?

I'm on Lake Superior, and could find places to hang out for quite a
while thast would not expose us to sources of infection. I could maybe
catch a fish or shoot a grouse or squirrel to supplement our diet. (No,
this would not work from December to April, not where I'm at, anyway.)

Capt. Jeff

this was a joke, right?
please tell me you aren't really losing sleep over this, yes?

I'm not losing sleep about it, but am concerned that in a worst case
scenario the government would be incapable of dealing with the massive
problems that would occur. It would be nice to be prepared for this as
an individual, as many in Louisiana would attest. One of the differences
in this type of issue is that one would not want to be housed in a
stadium or other such arrangement with others who could be infected with
the flu. Also, it could involve the entire planet, so you couldn't count
on help from these next state over, like in a hurricane or tornado.
Hospitals will no doubt be overwhelmed. Read about 1918. Things are no
different today other than the problem would be likely to spread much
quicker.

This does not include digging a moat around my house and filling it with
alligators, but might involve having:

-a month's supply of food and water
-communication plans for everyone in the family
-cash, as ATMs could be empty or inoperative
-emergency meeting locations
-disinfectant, masks and gloves
-extra fuel, batteries, a battery powered radio
-a good first aid kit
-an alternative heat source, especially here in Minnesota
-extra blankets, warm clothing
-lanterns, camping gear for cooking
-essential medications

Most importantly, it would involve a plan, including things like filling
the tub with water, a criteria for who else you let in when you're the
only house in the neighborhood that has heat and how you will deal with
those who don't respect your criteria, etc. This has been an interesting
topic for discussion in our house.

We insure our cars and spend a lot of time researching vehicles we buy.
This fits right up there in the priority list, as the consequences of
ignoring this might be at best, very inconvenient and uncomfortable.

These are prudent thoughts for all kinds of emergencies like weather,
terrorist attacks, etc. and don't really involve great expense, except
feeding the alligators in the moat!

Capt. Jeff

What I find it helpful in protecting myself from the current Weapon of Mass
Distraction is to change the channel to more reality based programming like
Cartoon Network, or flip around until I find professional wrestling.
Last night one of our local station was advertising news to be shown the
next day. Is it really news if you wait a day to broadcast?
Last I heard there were 120 dead from the bird flu, I'll bet we have more
homeless die in DC this winter than that.
How many die each year from the regular, constantly changing flu varieties?
How many of the victims were very young, very old, or were compromised by
other health problems?
MMC

"prodigal1" wrote in message
.. .
Tamaroak wrote:
I don't think many of us really believe this government has its act
together about much of anything these days, much less disaster
preparedness, and even if it does, it sure wouldn't hurt to have some
options.

Given a worst case scenario, what would you want to have aboard your
boat if you decided to take off and live on it to avoid being infected
if this becomes an issue like it did in 1918?

I'm on Lake Superior, and could find places to hang out for quite a
while thast would not expose us to sources of infection. I could maybe
catch a fish or shoot a grouse or squirrel to supplement our diet. (No,
this would not work from December to April, not where I'm at, anyway.)

Capt. Jeff

this was a joke, right?
please tell me you aren't really losing sleep over this, yes?

or from top posting.. there are so many ways to die that a mere flu
epi-pan-demic is minimal..

DP
"MMC" wrote in message
m...
What I find it helpful in protecting myself from the current Weapon of
Mass
Distraction is to change the channel to more reality based programming
like
Cartoon Network, or flip around until I find professional wrestling.
Last night one of our local station was advertising news to be shown the
next day. Is it really news if you wait a day to broadcast?
Last I heard there were 120 dead from the bird flu, I'll bet we have more
homeless die in DC this winter than that.
How many die each year from the regular, constantly changing flu
varieties?
How many of the victims were very young, very old, or were compromised by
other health problems?
MMC

"prodigal1" wrote in message
.. .
Tamaroak wrote:
I don't think many of us really believe this government has its act
together about much of anything these days, much less disaster
preparedness, and even if it does, it sure wouldn't hurt to have some
options.

Given a worst case scenario, what would you want to have aboard your
boat if you decided to take off and live on it to avoid being infected
if this becomes an issue like it did in 1918?

I'm on Lake Superior, and could find places to hang out for quite a
while thast would not expose us to sources of infection. I could maybe
catch a fish or shoot a grouse or squirrel to supplement our diet. (No,
this would not work from December to April, not where I'm at, anyway.)

Capt. Jeff

this was a joke, right?
please tell me you aren't really losing sleep over this, yes?

"MMC" wrote in message
m...
What I find it helpful in protecting myself from the current Weapon of
Mass
Distraction is to change the channel to more reality based programming
like
Cartoon Network, or flip around until I find professional wrestling.
Last night one of our local station was advertising news to be shown the
next day. Is it really news if you wait a day to broadcast?
Last I heard there were 120 dead from the bird flu, I'll bet we have more
homeless die in DC this winter than that.
How many die each year from the regular, constantly changing flu
varieties?
How many of the victims were very young, very old, or were compromised by
other health problems?
MMC

"prodigal1" wrote in message
.. .
Tamaroak wrote:
I don't think many of us really believe this government has its act
together about much of anything these days, much less disaster
preparedness, and even if it does, it sure wouldn't hurt to have some
options.

Given a worst case scenario, what would you want to have aboard your
boat if you decided to take off and live on it to avoid being infected
if this becomes an issue like it did in 1918?

I'm on Lake Superior, and could find places to hang out for quite a
while thast would not expose us to sources of infection. I could maybe
catch a fish or shoot a grouse or squirrel to supplement our diet. (No,
this would not work from December to April, not where I'm at, anyway.)

Capt. Jeff

this was a joke, right?
please tell me you aren't really losing sleep over this, yes?



Last I heard there were 120 dead from the bird flu, I'll bet we have more
homeless die in DC this winter than that.
How many die each year from the regular, constantly changing flu varieties?
How many of the victims were very young, very old, or were compromised by
other health problems?

Current stats show a 50% fatality rate. Those are not very good odds. Its
either you or your wife. As for the health condition of those who have
died, they were a mix of average people.

I don't know about heading off on a longterm cruise but if it hits I'm sure
gonna take lots of precautions.

"Gordon Wedman" wrote in message
news:YZQbf.110046$ir4.44853@edtnps90...

Snip

Current stats show a 50% fatality rate. Those are not very good odds.
Its either you or your wife.

hope its her!

DP