What FluTrackers are Personally Doing About a Future Pandemic Influenza

[Giuseppe]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Perhaps it is Worth to note that people with chronic conditions or history for acute hearth, kidney and liver diseases should seek medical advice and guidance as well as consider the need for screening examinations before health care system may be hit by an exceeding influx of patients forcing to reduce or close some services.

For this reason, also consider:

-- Whole blood tests, liver, kidney and myocardial markers and enzymes;

-- EKG, ultrasonography for heart, full abdomen and pelvis for people with liver, kidney, bladder, prostate illnesses;

-- mammograms, and other women genitourinary illnesses;

-- oncologic follow-ups;

-- chronic conditions drugs regimen adjustements;

-- food prescription for diabetes and hyperlipidemia;

-- any other medical advice for people with chronicities or recently had undergone surgical procedures; anti-infective intake advices for people with HIV/AIDS, Hep B&C, other infectious diseases.

(...)

[Diane Morin]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Machine translation

For seven months I reserve supplies and food using coupons when these products are sold. Some products have cost me nothing. Even with a small budget, it is possible to reserve a little at a time without it costing too much. But we must be disciplined. An element that is very important in the preparation is to do everything possible to get rid of his debts. I finished very soon.

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Depuis 7 mois je fais des réserves de fournitures et de nourriture en utilisant des coupons-rabais lorsque ces produits sont en vente. Certains produits ne m'ont rien coûté. Même avec un petit budget, il est possible de faire des réserves un peu à la fois sans que cela ne coûte trop cher. Mais il faut être discipliné. Un élément qui est très important dans la préparation c'est de faire le maximum pour se débarrasser de ses dettes. Je termine très bientôt.

[Catbird]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Over the past few days, I've begun to do an inventory of our preps and have identified several areas we need to update and refresh.

We have a second, small house on our land and my husband's parents have recently moved into it. They're in their 70's but fortunately in pretty good health. However, they do use some maintenance medications so I'm encouraging them to get 90 day supplies when possible, or otherwise stocking up on what they need. Fortunately, my mother-in-law is a retired nurse and so she understands the importance of this.

I live in Tennessee and, like most states, it has a pandemic plan that includes quarantining an entire county when positive cases are confirmed. I live in a very rural area in one of the smallest and poorest counties in the state. We have very limited medical facilities - 1 part time doctor and a county health department which focuses on vaccinations and pre-natal care. We also have one very small nursing home, which is the officially designated medical facility for the county. That means that the nearest medical care is about 30 miles away and across county lines. So my prep plan has to include supplies and equipment so that we can deal with many potential medical situations on our own. Now that my in-laws are with us, that means I need to increase the quantities of most of those supplies. So I'm working on ordering some additional items.

The other issue that I'm working on is my husband's work kit. Under the pandemic plan, his job is considered critical. That means that it's very likely that he will have to stay at his workplace, which unfortunately is in another county. His workplace will provide a place to sleep, and all the MRE's he can eat ( ), but that's about it. So we came up with the idea of his work kit - something that he can keep at work that is stocked with things to make him more comfortable and provide maximum PPE and hygiene. It's been about a year since we rotated the contents so I had him bring it home. We'll be working on refreshing and restocking that over the next couple of weeks.

And, of course, it's garden time!

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I have already shared and keep updated family, friends and those I see at commitee meetings as well as my book club. I too have contacted my doctor and we shared information about both traditional and nontraditional methods of treating the disease. I was happy to learn he was open to both pathways of disease treatment if traditional resources become limited.

The herbs I ordered should arrive today so, I will start the tincturing process during the upcoming week. They should all be stored and ready to use in at most three weeks time. The herbs I am not tincturing will be stored in a dark, dry and cool place to ensure their potency.

The chocolate is actually a fine idea. As the war survivor reported anything that reminds us we are human is supremely valuable. So books, toiletries and especially dental floss, makes me feel human. I know, lol, too much information. Therefore, I have added or plan to add those to my stores.

Finally, I am still doing research re. nontraditional methods of treatment of the flu. Must admit that coconut oil is starting to look intriguing.

[Giuseppe]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Unfortunately here in Italy there is little an individual can do for prepping purposes, as the lack of cash is overwhelming an increasing amount of people.

Recent statistics demostrated that at least 1 in 4 elderly people received a monthly retirement allowance of less than 1,000 euros (often less, around 500-to-700 euros).

In addition, a 12% rate of unemployment is decimating personal and families incomes.

The new cabinet will be formed in days and the main target is to cut further public health expenditures and infrastructures maintainance.

For my part I can only do things as I used to do in the same circumstances in the past:

-- replenish my stock of surgical masks;

-- purchase some additional boxes of zanamivir;

-- collect and stock chronic conditions drugs;

-- gloves, detergents for pavement, surfaces and toilets.

-- other drugs for fever, nausea and vomiting as needed.

These activities may help to cope with distressing situations but - when in the midst of a crisis - a dose of luck is also useful.

In overcrowded places like cities it was, it is and it will be difficult to avoid large epidemics consequences.

[Diane Morin]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Machine translation

In my case I focus on the preparation in the area where I work. It is a non-profit organization that helps homeless people. I'm pushing for the general emergency plan rejoingnent and adequately cover this category of citizens. I did it again last Friday and it seems that there is the opening on the side of public safety for the City of Quebec. Within the organization I Reforce hygiene measures. I educates the staff, volunteers and users. After Sharon's message this morning I gave the example and I toured the surfaces of the reception room. I reserve household products, gloves, windshield while paper and handkerchiefs. We have in stock what is germicidal and masks. I also think the material sensibilistation.

At home, I continue my preparations with targeted purchases (gloves, handkerchiefs, etc..). I what to take medication every day for two months. I'll do my inventory for what medication (syrup, Tylenol, etc..) For the symptoms of flu or cold. Regarding the food I already have it in reserve.

I will continue my activities Fitness and gardening with even greater motivation.

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En ce qui me concerne je mets l'accent sur la préparation dans le milieu où je travaille. Il s'agit d'un organisme sans but lucratif qui vient en aide aux personnes sans-abris. Je fais pression pour que les plans d'urgence en général rejoingnent et couvrent adéquatement cette catégorie de citoyens. Je l'ai fait encore vendredi dernier et il semblerait qu'il y ait de l'ouverture du côté de la sécurité civile à la Ville de Québec. Au sein de l'organisme je reforce les mesures d'hygiène. Je sensibilise le personnel, les bénévoles et les usagers. Après le message de Sharon de ce matin j'ai donné l'exemple et j'ai fait le tour des surfaces de la salle d'accueil. Je fais des réserves de produits ménagers, de gants, de papier essui-tout et de mouchoirs. Nous avons dejà en stock ce qu'il faut de germicide et de masques. Je pense aussi au matériel de sensibilistation.

À la maison, je poursuis mes préparatifs avec des achats ciblés (gants, mouchoirs, etc.). J'ai ce qu'il faut en médication à prendre tous les jours pour deux mois. Je vais faire mon inventaire pour ce qui est des médicaments (sirop, tylenol, etc.) pour les symptômes de la grippe ou du rhume. Pour ce qui est de la nourriture j'ai déjà ce qu'il faut en réserve.

Je vais poursuivre mes activités de remise en forme et de jardinage avec une motivation encore plus grande.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Is H7N9 Spreading from Human to Human in China?

I think everyone should activate their personal disease preparedness plan as the US CDC has issued a question and answer paper here that says to expect H7N9 in the United States probably via a traveler from China.

There is no proof that H7N9 is human-to-human but 3 clusters have been confirmed. There may be some limited human-to-human spread. We do not know.

What we do know is that China has a massive environmental contagion that infects people with H7N9. This is a threat to global health.

So this is what I am doing:

1) I am telling my family and friends about the situation.

2) I have added some "preps" to my food. In Florida we are supposed to have 5 days of food and water for hurricane season so I am going to do that anyway. In 2004 I was without power for 3 separate weeks so I know about that experience.

3) I already purchased a 90 day supply of my maintenance drug a couple of weeks ago.

4) Since prevention is the only weapon we have against an H7N9 infection I am going to see what else I need regarding vitamins, masks, gloves, etc.

5) Since I live in one of the top tourists destinations in the world, I have started to enforce a house policy that every time someone walks inside they immediately wash their hands.

6) I am going to start wiping down handles, door knobs, remotes, etc. once a day.

7) I am finding some local people willing to be in a flu buddy group with me. So far I have 1 health care professional and I also have 2 seniors who will need extra help in a health care emergency.

8) I am going to contact the local schools in my area and talk to the school nurse or principle about H7N9.

9) I am going to use 3 items in my outreach:

Watch: Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions
Avian Flu (H7N9) in China


Interim Guidance on the Use of Antiviral Agents for Treatment of Human Infections with Avian Influenza A (H7N9)


H7N9 Flu and You

[Emily]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I am a chocolate addict. All of the chocolate in this house is gone!


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I love that scene. "Let 'er roll!" Those are the kind of candies I could not stock up on. 73% cacao content bricks are safe, though. I didn't know about the side benefit Kiwibird brought up, , but a little is a more relaxing form of caffeine than coffee, and it's easier to manage if boiling water is a problem.

Seriously, I haven't done any preps for this specific strain of flu. I made some health changes thanks to things I learned here since 2009 that I try to keep up with. Getting your immune system and environment as optimized as possible is a slow process. I did get my vitamin D levels tested to make sure I was in range last year.

Like Shannon, I keep some remedies handy and I should be prepped in a general sense for disasters since I live in a seismically active area. I have to admit I need to do more on that front.

When I think about disasters, I usually reflect on my relationships with nearby neighbors. Those are the people you may depend on and share skills and resources with.

[jeffrey]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

You all are too funny! I guess we have to put some humor in...To Alaska Denise, good luck on whatever is coming your way... I know how you feel and it is not good! Lucky we are actually off the San Andreas fault now, but anything can happen. BTW we wash our hands all the time!

[kiwibird]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

Chocolate is good - isn't it supposed to be good for ... Diarrhea?.? On that subject The oral rehydration solution (basic one) in this post by Sally http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11957 should be kept to hand. Roughly 3teaspoons sugar, one teaspoon salt added to one litre of water. (variations provided in the post) it is well worth reading the whole post so you can make up your own mind about proportions. Thanks Sally!

[sharon sanders]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I tried the stocking up on chocolate idea. As serendipity would have it, yesterday a local chocolatier was having the first sale he's ever had to clear out some excess inventory.

I took it home, stored it for a few hours, then ate it all. (I still have my usual back-up supply of a less tempting variety.)

I am a chocolate addict. All of the chocolate in this house is gone!


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[AlaskaDenise]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I am like Shiloh. Living in California, you never know about earthquakes and since we have been through several we have always had enough. Until I know more, then I may consider buying a survival food kit.

I'm in a "gotta always be prepared" location, also. Between earthquakes, heavy snowstorms, and floods that DID cut off communities last year and are expected to do even worse this year (in a few weeks) - being prepared is a way of life.

.

[kiwibird]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

This is a good comprehensive list: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=228545

And this gives quantities of food etc. required for one person to survive for one month: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11957

It is a lot! Quite a shock to realize what we need. Water storage, basic foods and a method of heating/cooking are primary, along with any medication required. Anything else is like insurance - comforting!

[Emily]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I tried the stocking up on chocolate idea. As serendipity would have it, yesterday a local chocolatier was having the first sale he's ever had to clear out some excess inventory.

I took it home, stored it for a few hours, then ate it all. (I still have my usual back-up supply of a less tempting variety.)

[jeffrey]

Re: What FluTrackers Are Personally Doing About H7N9

I am like Shiloh. Living in California, you never know about earthquakes and since we have been through several we have always had enough. Until I know more, then I may consider buying a survival food kit.