Beans & LegumesPandemics are NOT Just in the Movies…
Pandemics are real. Pandemics aren’t just something that happens in movies like alien invasions. They really happen, and even if they are not deadly… they can significantly impact people’s daily lives on a local, national and even global scale. Unfortunately pandemics, like many other natural disasters, usually are only a matter of public discourse and concern when we are in the middle of a major crisis because of one. It would be wise for us all to understand the historic context of actual pandemics, be aware of the possible complications of pandemics, prepare our families with a checklist of items we need to be ready, and have a plan for how your family will respond to a major pandemic.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
From June of 1918 to December of 1920 the entire world suffered from a major pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza virus called the “Spanish Flu”. The virus spread throughout every region of the world from major population centers to remote islands in the pacific and even the arctic. It is estimated that about a third of the world’s population was infected an an estimated 10% – 20% of those that were infected died as a result. These were not young children, old people, and people with weak immune systems that died. The primary demographic affected were healthy young adults with strong immune systems that overreacted to the infection creating a fatal “cytokine storm” causing their own immune system’s reaction to the pathogen to lead to their death. It is estimated that 50-100 million people died globaly with around 600,000 deaths in the United States alone… that is an estimated 3% – 6% of the world’s population. Even in areas where people were not dying, so many were sick and in-bed that communities virtually shut down. Some towns closed all pubic stores or asked customers to leave orders outside. There were not even enough health-care workers to help the sick or the gravediggers to bury the dead because they too were incapacitated from the pandemic. This virus was very similar to the H1N1 that caused the “Swine Flu” scare in 2009. Fortunately for us, this time around the flu was not deadly and history did not repeat itself, but it will and the ability of pathogens to travel quickly with modern transportation systems and air travel is significantly increased. Not being prepared for a deadly pandemic is like playing Russian Roulette with nature… sooner or later there will be live ammunition in the chamber and nature will pull the trigger, so be prepared for the possible complications and help your family dodge the bullet.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
- Restriced Travel: Airlines may limit travel to and from certain areas and states may close borders.
- Unavailable Medical Services: Due to high surges in infected individuals seeking treatment, other medical services may be unavailable.
- Shortages of Vaccinations: Supplies of vaccines specific to the outbreak may be very short and production capacity on other vaccines may be shifted to supply vaccines for the pandemic
- Quarantine Mandates: Local, State, and Federal governments may mandate quarantines for infected individuals or families and might impose strict curfews on the general public
- Cancelled Public Gatherings: Large public gatherings like sporting events, school, cultural events, large business gatherings, and other public gatherings may be cancelled
- Depressed Economic Activity: If a large portion of the public is infected, basic services and economic activity could be hampered or halted due to a lack of available labor or fear of infection by coming to work
- Large Scale Fatalities: In a worst-case scenario, there will be large scale deaths with 1 in 20 dying as a result of the pandemic.
PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
The supplies you need to prepare for and mitigate the negative affects of a major pandemic are simple. So simple that it is easy NOT to get them, but don’t procrastinate. The next pandemic could happen this season or ten years from now, but it is better to prepare years early than a day late.
Particulate RespiratorsGet some simple particulate respirators that meet at least the NIOSH N95 or NIOSH N100 rating meaning they filter 95% or 99.97% of airborne particulates, but keep in mind that viruses are very small and if not attached to a larger particle such as a dust particle or water particle (which most often they are) they can still penetrate the filter and pathogens can sometimes still get into your blood stream through your eyes. In order to get the best protection you need a full face mask. These will not ELIMINATE your risk of exposure… they will just REDUCE your risk of exposure. DO NOT just get a surgical mask or a dust mask… these WILL NOT even REDUCE your risk of exposure significantly.
First Aid & Medical SuppliesMake sure you have a good supply of first aid and medical supplies including medications that you might need. In an event of a pandemic available medical supplies and services will be very limited if available at all… and there will also be a higher risk of exposure to pathogens at medical facilities becuase there will likely be a higher concentration of infected individuals. If you can take care of any medical needs yourself it will help reduce your exposure.
Food & Water
Always have food and water on hand for at LEAST two weeks. Again… anything you can do to reduce contact with the general public will reduce your risk of infection during a pandemic. If you have food so you don’t have to go to the store it will help. Also, if there are mandated quarantines in place you may not be able to leave your home. If you don’t have food and water on hand you will have a major problem even if nobody is sick in your household.
HAVE A PLAN
You know your family better than we do, so it’s imperative that you make a plan for how you will respond so you don’t get caught up in the hype or don’t get caught unprepared for what may come. Most important though, don’t worry. Just make sure you understand what the risk is, and prepared your family to reduce that risk as much as possible and you’ll have the peace of mind that you have done everything you can.
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I wouldn’t stop at just particulate masks and few other first aid and food supplies. Consider an assortment of additional gear such as disposable gloves and gowns, goggles, face masks, hand sanitizers and so on. One might also consider other meds such as anti-diarrheal and expectorants.
September 9th, 2011 at 6:32 pmSome good information – along with the meds suggested some oral rehydration salts (ORS) for cholera or other causes of diarrha. Along with all the OTC pain relievers – Alleve, Asprin & Tylenol I try to have a good supply of Benadryl (allergy). Double on the gloves, Purell and N-95 masks!! And keep an eye on CDC & WHO website and sites like this – the best treatment is prevention – isolation (with preps being the key to this) are critical!!!
September 11th, 2011 at 10:28 pmWith all the Type 2 Diabetes across the country, Insulin will be an important drug, in addition to those mentioned in the previous two replies. You can count on this being in short supply due to “Just in Time” inventory practices. Also Insulin does not have a long shelf life, so it is better to lose weight and manage the diabetes through good nutrition than to count on insulin being available. What insulin there is may be restricted to those in the community with Type 1 diabetes.
If the CDC and our Public Health officials tell us to stay out of public places for a week or even a month, are you prepared with water, food, and daily essentials like toilet paper, floss and toothpaste? Blood pressure meds? Etc.?
I recommend that each family spend a weekend shut in at home with no outside contact for a weekend and do a “shake down cruise” for being quarantined. Make an inventory of what you will need if there is a crisis of this sort and be sure to have back up supplies.
Oh, and even if you are foolish enough to go to the supermarket for food, please remember that there is never more than 9 meals’ supply of food in any region at any one time — 9 meals from chaos. Those who are unprepared for any emergency will rush out and sweep the shelves clean in minutes. Conscientious preppers won’t even think of going to the supermarket, because they will already have plenty of food and drink stored up at home.
September 11th, 2011 at 10:52 pmI would suggest all to go to sgtreport.com and listen to his guests. To go to the best website go to abolishfiatslavery.com and listen to Woody O’Brian speak about the shape our nation is in and what to do to prepare for the coming bust!
September 11th, 2011 at 11:23 pmThe best thing you can do, apart from stocking up on basic medical supplies, food and what-not…
September 12th, 2011 at 12:13 amKeep yourself healthy. You know we’re approaching “flu season” so you need to take supplements: selenium (fights all infections), a whole vitamin C, vitamin D, B-complex… and so forth.
Also make sure you have some other things to help you fight it off naturally: olive leaf extract (caps), oregano oil (gelcaps), echinacea (caps), ginger (tea and caps). Blue violet leaf tea is great for cleaning out enlarged lymph nodes.
i don’t know which one is best but i have eard that a good quality collidal silver is great protection in a pandemic or if you have any infection.
September 12th, 2011 at 5:10 amDon’t forget about your pets. You’ll need to make sure you can contain and dispose of their waste along with yours. If you’re isolated and are not allowed to leave your home, be sure to have plenty of newspaper (a very good use for the otherwise useless) and cleaning solutions for your floor such as Pine-O-Pine or Pine Sol, ammonia, bleach (don’t mix any of these together).
September 12th, 2011 at 7:46 amSherry, How about getting a website with some facts. These guys are kooks. Shut it off after a couple of minutes of foolishness.
September 12th, 2011 at 11:54 pm1minuteman suggest you research a bit more. While there may be some helpfulness the side affects and results are not very good. Make sure you are well infomred before following the collidal silver crowd.
The rest of you: great additions and suggestions.
My add: Don’t forget to get your grab-n-go bag(s) ready. At the start and middle of a pandemic the safest place to be is not in the middle of a bunch of people! No not everyone can do this but the best place to be is away in the hills or mountains if possible with your emergency supplies with you! Remeber to have the pump and filter and water cans with you!