What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

[sharon sanders]

This thread is a little bit different than the thread where we discussed what we are doing to prepare for a possible H7N9 pandemic.

It appears at this time there are many threats to public health emerging in several parts of the world:

1) Ukraine conflict possible impact on Europe region, including possible Russia cut-off of energy supply,

2) Continuing economic downturn in Europe and result on public health efforts,

3) Syria, Iraq conflict in Middle East possible impact on region and world,

4) Unrest in China. Hong Kong is experiencing democracy protests. The West of China is also experiencing unrest. Slowed economic growth is predicted for the country which will impact emerging middle class possibly causing more dissatisfaction.

5) Coronavirus MERS in (mostly) Saudi Arabia is transmissible between humans. CFR is not really known due to lack of tracking in general population. There is no proven drug or vaccine. Supportive therapy helps survival.

6) H7N9 and various other novel flu in Southeast Asia, mostly China. The spread is not known. The CFR is not known. Humans can infect other humans. Flu drugs may have an impact. Vaccines are underdevelopment.

7) Ebola epidemic in West Africa is spreading within already affected countries. Projections for growth in these populations is exponential. It is not known how many are infected/dead. The CFR of known cases without treatment appears to be about 90%. A very dire situation. At this time ebola is not truly "airborne" BUT it can be transmitted via air in droplets. A worse case scenario would be a mutation in this pathogen that allows fully airborne transmission - like flu, for instance. There is no proven drug or vaccine. Supportive therapy appears to help survival.

So.....

This is quite something.

This is what I am doing. My family is getting check-ups to be sure we have our health in the best condition possible. I renewed a 90 day supply of my maintenance drug yesterday. Tomorrow I am renewing my contact lenses supply. In major disruptions I think my drug and some other items will not be obtainable due "just-in-time" supply chains.

I am going to look at the seasonal flu vaccine. It is probably, at most, 70% effective. But since I am older and have a co-morbidity, maybe something is better than nothing. I have never had any bad reaction to any vaccine. Some years I take the flu vaccine. Other years I do not. I am not "anti-vaccine" and I am not pro-vaccine either. I think each person needs to look at their personal situation, and in conjunction with their family and medical advisors, make that decision.

I did see some good garlic on sale and bought some yesterday. I have had good results using garlic supplements as a general anti-viral. But it did not save me from a horrendous norovirus a couple of years ago.

I have hand sanitizer all over. Car. Purse. House. I also wash my hands multiple times a day. It is now a habit for me to wash my hands before I eat, after I visit the bathroom, each time I come into the house. I don't even think about it.

I have not stockpiled any food, masks, gloves. I have some old masks in the garage. I need to see of they are still viable. I do like to buy canned food on sale so I am going to look at re-building my supply a little bit. Right now I have about a 2 week supply of food from hurricane season preparations.

I am on a huge diet since I have gained "a few pounds" in the last 2 years. I have a co-morbidity that is a bad complication for H1N1pdm09 and, in fact, not good for any disease. I do not smoke. I have an occasional glass of wine. I am essentially a non-drinker.

I think the best preparation for uncertain times is to improve your health as much as possible and to openly communicate with your near ones about the current unstable times. Friends and family are the best preparations for life.

 

[MHSC]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

The one thing that immediately comes to mind after reading your post is that health care workers wash their hands BEFORE and after using the bathroom. You don't want whatever germs you have on your hands to be transferred to your clothes or anywhere else.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

See the dentist!, is what I would add toyour list Sharon.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

Sadly, I need to add to your list of uncertainty.

Food prices are liable to skyrocket. California is a major producer of a vast number of our everyday foods. It is suffering from severe drought. I mean REALLY severe drought. If this continues through next year then canned tomatoes, carrots, celery, broccoli, strawberries, almonds and many other everyday food items are going to be scarce.

We all know the price of both beef and pork have gone through the roof. For that reason it might be a good idea to stock up on frozen and/or canned chicken and canned fish.

 

[Sharky]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

One thing I've done is to have a few extra boxes of liposomal Vitamin C on hand.

Oral ascorbate alone has some effectiveness against viral infections, but the IV form has been shown in multiple studies to be a broad-scale antiviral. Although the studies aren't there yet, the liposomal form is promising because it allows blood levels to reach concentrations equivalent to IV, but with oral dosing -- and there are a few anecdotal success stories, such as the one in the video below.

We also have paper-filter type face masks, gloves, and bleach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrhkoFcOMII

 

[alforddm]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

We are fortunate enough to live in the county on roughly 100 acres that my in-laws own. They have about 20 head of cattle so in an severe emergency we would eat and although these are beef cows, they still produce milk. Not as much as a dairy cow, but it's still milk. There is also wild game. We have a good well and a generator. We have a large garden tub that we would use the generator to fill as needed. It would hold close to 75 gal of water. Worse case the well is only 40 ft deep so we could use a hand pump or a 4" well bucket. I also have two horses that could provide transportation and/or eats in a severe emergency. Although, I suffer from fibromyalgia and allergies we don't have any real medical needs. While those things make me uncomfortable they aren't fatal so long as I don't eat almonds. We have a wood burning fireplace and we have a good sized wood lot so, while we might not be comfortable, we wouldn't freeze. I currently have a stockpile of pinto beans and I intend to add more as well as plenty of corn meal. Pinto beans and corn provide all essential amino acids as well as fiber and protein.

My Dad who is now 65 grew up very poor. They didn't have a vehicle until he was 12. Which would mean 1961. They used a mule team and a wagon. His Mom and Dad didn't get a working toilet until after he left home. I think it was 1970 when their children put in the bathroom. The old outhouse was still sanding outside Grandma's house when I was a girl. He had 11 brother and sisters. He said he can't remember a meal when they didn't have pinto beans and cornbread. Dad and his brothers are great story tellers. One of the things I have learned from them is that they ate things growing up that most people now don't consider food. Even I grew up eating squirrel. I can see some of you cringe. Why would you eat squirrel? Well for one thing they taste good and are naturally organic/free range but the reason I bring it up is that each of you should prepared to think about alternative foods in a true food emergency.

I've seen West African's heavily criticized for eating "bush meat", well, I grew up eating "bush meat" granted of a different sort but the principle is the same. People need protein. If you don't have other protein sources where do you look? Even in cities there are squirrels, raccoon, and even *gasp* dogs and cats. Squirrels are easy to prepare. You simply fry them or make a stew. They are easy to clean and don't need any special prep. Raccoon can be eaten as well, however, their meat is greasy. For best results you need to parboil them and then prepare them the way you want. Possums (Opossum) can be eaten, however, they are not generally very clean animals. They tend to scavenge more so even than raccoon. Thankfully, I've never needed to eat a possum, or a dog or cat for that matter. I did prepare a 'coon once so that I would know what to expect. If you were really hungry? No problem, but it's not something I would want to eat if I had other choices.

One of my favorite stories is one my Uncle Charles tells. He and his siblings were sitting around talking about different foods they had eaten. Charles said "I don't think I could ever eat a 'possum." Grandma who was sitting nearby stated in her slow drawl, "Hummm, I suspect you have."

 

[Dallas]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

I'm not laughing. We have 13 squirrel so far for the season. They make a great stew. We sadly do not do this to prepare for anything, it's just our local "bush meat", a part of our normal hunting. We have 4 dogs but I'd kill to protect them.

If it hit the fan the local game would all be killed off within two weeks so that can't be considered any real resource for us. In fact, ok I'll admit it, we do nothing to prepare. Prepare for what? The only thing that would be a hit the fan scenario would be a solar flare causing CME. In that case it would be blood bath after 3 months and we likely would not live through it. We're older and some warlord would take everything we have in a matter of months. Other than that I can't think of a scenario that would require, um, preparations.

 

[Sollydog]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was a wake up call for me when I lived and worked in Oakland, about half a mile from the Hayward Fault. I got serious about preparedness, took several classes offered by the city and got my emergency kits together.

Once retired I chose to move to rural Sw Virginia and my county has just 15,000 people, many of them farmers. Locally raised beef, pork, chicken, lamb and buffalo are readily available and there are several CSA's, as well as organic farmers who supply our weekly farmers market with great produce through out the summer months which is part of the reason that I have not done a veggie garden of my own but perhaps it is time to plan one for next year.

Living in an all electric house is my biggest problem since it means no heat from the heat pump, no cooking and no water because the well pump stops working in a power outage. Just as in Oakland I have an abundance of water stored and have decided to see if a manual pump can be added to the well. If not I have about 1,000 ft of creek that runs through the property and the source is just a mile from my home so what passes through my place is very clean but of course I would still treat it.

A fireplace with insert does provide some heat but without the blower running as well as the ceiling fan it doesn't move very far from the source. The "wall" of firewood is 80 ft long and 5 ft high. I have 2 large kerosene heaters, purchased when my heating system died in Dec and it was three weeks before the replacement was available. They use about 1 gallon every 12 hours and kerosene is currently $4.19 a gallon so it is expensive heat, even when used very judiciously.

At 65 I no longer go backpacking or camping but still have all the gear from my younger days and much of it does double as emergency supplies. There is currently a county wide campaign to get as many people as possible to go solar and I have had an estimate done and what I could afford would provide me with half of annual electrical needs. I'm also researching adding propane as my back up heat source, something that many homes have since we get plenty of nights where the low drops below 40F, which is the temp at which heat pumps can not extract much heat from the air. Many people also have back up generators, especially those who live off of a dirt road that's off of another dirt road and when trees take down power lines it's a long time before power gets restored.

I've decided it's time to take a detailed written inventory of my canned and bottled food stores and see what gaps may exist as well as to record use by dates so that I do make an effort to eat what's oldest. There is no shortage of books on the waiting to be rest list so that would keep me entertained for a long time.

I am quite a homebody and the longer I live here the more I find myself stretching the time between trips to town for supplies or other errands so self isolating would not drive me crazy. A couple of old black labrador retrievers provide some companionship and entertainment too. My only prescription medication is for hypothyroidism and so running out would not be life threatening in the short run.

In Oakland one of the issues was knowing that my home could be badly damaged or even completely lost to a firestorm and so in addition to everything else would be the need for shelter. Here it is unlikely that I'd lose that. Later today I will drop in at my doctor's office and get a flu shot and one for pneumonia.

 

[JimO]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

I think there are a number of chaotic scenarios short of all-out anarchy that we can reasonably prepare for in our homes. Our family has prepared like we would for a bad hurricane so that we could stay put for several weeks without having to go to the store. We don't have the resources to prepare for the "zombie apocalypse" scenario and probably wouldn't survive it anyway (and frankly, wouldn't want to). However, there are disease scenarios, that don't involve a breakdown in society, in which you would not want to have contact with others for a period of weeks or even months. Of course, having food and clean water are vital. But, if there is a disease outbreak, I wouldn't want to go to the local urgent care center or ER for non-life threatening conditions. So, we are putting together a more comprehensive first aid kit that might allow us to treat something like the need for a few stitches or wound care and infection prevention at home. I too am keeping up on my maintenance meds. We also have extra tylenol, advil, and benadryl. I suggest anyone with severe allergies have a couple of extra epi pens on hand. We also have a little extra of everything for friends and neighbors.

 

[Dallas]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

You make some excellent points Jim. Now the Zombie thing, hmmm, I'd like to see that. NO wait, I've seen that movie.

What would you put in a expanded first aid kit?

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

So today the CDC confirmed the first ebola case in the US who was not a evacuated health care worker from Africa.

Well...I expected this. With the ongoing situation in West Africa, it is only a matter of time before some cases appear in other parts of the world. I feel very bad for everyone involved. Apparently the ambulance crew who transported the patient to the hospital was quarantined today. The patient is evidently in very critical condition.

I am not changing anything that I am doing from my post above. I have said for awhile that the MRSA community threat, alone, should have made all of us really aware of hygiene and disease/infection prevention.

 

[MHSC]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

You make some excellent points Jim. Now the Zombie thing, hmmm, I'd like to see that. NO wait, I've seen that movie.

What would you put in a expanded first aid kit?

I know this isn't meant for me but I thought I would share what is in mine.

Bandages - gauze and adhesive all sizes
roller gauze
tweezers
Tape
Gloves nitrile
N95
Suture kit with magnifier
iodine
Antibiotic cream
duct tape - works as sutures, for blisters and with a magazine, pillow or anything solid for a splint
antihistamines for allergies
antidiarrheals
anti nausea
zip lock bags
antifungals
baby powder
sunscreen
chapstick
garbage bags
insect repellant
personal medical products (meds, asthma meds, etc)
trauma sheers
alcohol
Glucose gel
Blood glucose tester
petroleum jelly
paracord
knife
paper/pencil
bp cuff
hot/cold packs
blue chux
burn kit
stethoscope
tourniquet
safety pins
hand sanitizer

I have more things but being in health care they are more specialized like IV supplies, BVM, cric kit, etc.

 

[Lizw]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

I grew up without "modern conveniences," and don't have many now. We had electricity and pressurized water only intermittently, didn't have a telephone at all until after I grew up and left home, and didn't have tv until I was a senior in high school. The only reason my parents got one then is that my mother, who was a teacher, had assigned her music students to watch Leonard Bernstein's Young Peoples Concerts, and she couldn't watch them herself. So the idea of needing powered everything just doesn't ring a bell with me at all. A former friend used to tell people that if there was an easy way and a hard way to do something, I'd always choose the hard way. The underlying truth to that is that I know how to do things without recourse to easy ways.

The one area in which I am not well prepared is that of self defense, and I honestly don't know what can be done. No home is 100% defensible, and I suspect that in a truly catastrophic situation, my livestock, crops, solar system, stored food and medicinals and tools would all disappear into other people's hands. I've had to reconcile myself to that fact, and plan for what I'm able to plan for. I can deal with a long term food shortage, or with a short term pandemic situation, or with anything that doesn't reduce society to chaos and anarchy. I'm 69 and live alone, though there is family nearby, so I wouldn't survive any determined effort to take things away from me. I have to just accept that. On the other hand, my skills and knowledge would be very useful to anyone smart enough to keep me around, so perhaps that would help to ensure my survival, if not possession of my property, lol.

 

[annaraven]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

We live in earthquake country so I already stock up water, food, etc. And, with asthma, I always get a flu shot.

I did stock up on N95 masks and extra nitrile gloves, along with a couple of tyvek suits and disposable aprons, just in case.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

We live in earthquake country so I already stock up water, food, etc. ......

Same here - najor earthquakes could cut us off from supplies, services, & road access at any time, so I'm always "prepared". Additionally, most all food comes into our state by boat/containers, so if docks are destroyed in an earthquake (or immobilized by the many nearby volcanoes) we must live off our stockpile. With winter & snow/ice arriving immediately, I'll increase stockpile of paper products, more food, etc.

I already have a good supply of hand sanitizer, latex gloves, N95 masks, bleach, hand soap, etc.

We rural-Alaska dwellers worry most about unwelcome urban-Alaskans arriving and taking our supplies!

However, since Alaska has recent history with high TB rates, our health infrastructure is well set-up to work with quarantines, contact tracing, etc. We have 3 CDC offices just in Anchorage & and one of the US's major quarantine centers. These things should help us cope well with any ebola problems.

.

 

[Redcass]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

I am the only member of my family who feels the need for preparedness. The rest think I'm totally insane. I guess my mother named me Cassandra prophetically. I am a stay at home mom in a family of 6, and therefore, I really don't have the budgetary discretion to allocate funds for prepping. I have advised Mr. Redcass that I will be starting to purchase extra quantities of canned goods, etc. during my shopping trips. My food needs are unique and challenging as my two youngest (3 and 8 mos) have a T cell mediated food protein induced enterocolitis. The list of forbidden foods is daunting: dairy, soy, mostly all grains including rice and oats, lentils and garbanzos. I will be sticking mostly to canned veggies and bulk millet for the boys and myself (since I breastfeed). I might also contemplate obtaining prescription formula for the baby just in case.
I have a leftover stockpile of N95s from 2009, but my hibiclens has expired and I have to replenish my supply of disinfectants and nitrile gloves (those go fast in my house). Also will be beefing up my first aid and Emergency supplies as per the wonderful guides posted here on this forum (thank you). I have been entertaining the thought of some more robust PPE, but Mr. Redcass will just laugh at me.
I was 4 mos pregnant in 2009 when h1n1 broke out. I immediately implemented strict "hand washing upon entry" protocols in my house. There were signs everywhere. I drew a "line in the sand" for when I would start practicing social distancing. When cases appeared in the states surrounding NJ, I ceased all non essential excursions outside my home. I shopped in the middle of the night with gloves, and always remained 6 ft away from others. I was the laughing stock of my family, but my son and I are alive today!
That being said, I have been contemplating when to implement social distancing in light of the current situation. It is much harder to do when you have a child in kindergarten, you teach Sunday school, and you have an adult stepchild who works as a cashier in a convenience store! I am leaning towards distancing now rather than later. The current situation with the HCW in Cleveland is pushing my thoughts. Imagine working at the bridal salon; would you have thought an ebola carrier (unawares) would walk through your door? This week in Sunday school I had to help take care of a nose bleed, a real gusher at that. Some of the other teachers didn't even put on gloves. The whole scenario was an eye opener. Any thoughts on social distancing at this point? I would hate to pull my kids out of school prematurely, but kindergarten and preschool are mini hot zones under normal seasonal illness conditions! Has anyone else had any social distancing thoughts or ideas, as well as how to deal with "prep hostile" household and family members?

 

[Lizw]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

I am the only member of my family who feels the need for preparedness. The rest think I'm totally insane.

If Ebola continues to spread in the US, they may change their minds. I've seen some remarkable turnarounds recently. Kudos to you for what you did during the swine flu season.

Regarding PPE, there was a thread on FT recently about a woman in Africa who used multiple layers of garbage bags and gloves for protection. If you scroll back through the recent posts, you'll find it. Sorry, I'd link to it, but I'm replying on a phone and its hard to find and link to things. Partly because of that article, I've stepped up my purchase of garbage bags. Gloves and N95 masks is also good, of course, and since most big supermarkets carry them, it's not too hard to sneak them into the usual grocery purchases if you need to. More expensive to buy them that way, unfortunately, but if that's the only way to get them, I would do it.

Children in school are hard to deal with. Mine would come home with colds and ear infections within a week of school starting every year. If I had kids in school now, I wouldn't worry any more than usual unless I had some reason to think they could be exposed. In that case, I'd take them out and keep them at home. I realize that could be a problem for you if your husband doesn't agree, but I still think it's good advice. And if there is a reason to worry about exposure, he might well change his mind.

Social distancing isn't quite the same issue with Ebola as it is with flu, but with your childrens' medical issues, it's probably a good idea anyway. Still, as long as there is no known risk of exposure, I wouldn't stress out over it. My line in the sand would be a case in my immediate vicinity or near where a family member, like your stepson, regularly goes. Until something like that happens, I'd just be watchful and aware, and keep stocking up.

 

[Redcass]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

Children in school are hard to deal with. Mine would come home with colds and ear infections within a week of school starting every year.

We've already had three bouts of illness since first week of school! The EV-D68 has me scared, but I have learned to let go a bit, and just hope they are practicing good hand hygiene.
I too do all my posting with my phone. It takes forever!
I saw the post about the trash bags, I should start stocking up! Thank you very much for your advice. The most wonderful thing about this site is the fact that everything is presented in light of actual fact and science -cautious awareness tempered with facts. Hysteria doesn't have a home here. More people need to see this. It is refreshing to see adults on a forum conduct themselves decently! It is quite frankly a sanctuary!

 

[Dallas]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

The most wonderful thing about this site is the fact that everything is presented in light of actual fact and science -cautious awareness tempered with facts. Hysteria doesn't have a home here. More people need to see this. It is refreshing to see adults on a forum conduct themselves decently! It is quite frankly a sanctuary!

I so completely agree Redcass!

 

[Lizw]

Re: What are FluTrackers personally doing about the various political, social, economic, disease uncertainties - Fall 2014

As do I. I have to reply every day not just to paranoia but also to outright deliberate deception and misguidance. This is where I come for relief I suspect that few of us have much idea what Sharon has to go through to keep it that way.