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

[Sollydog]

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!

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.

Although I only recently joined I have been a sporadic reader for several years and now really appreciate the calm presentation of facts and info that are provided here.

If you read Sharons post about it now taking an email in order to join you realize that there has been a huge uptick in the number of visitors but you may not know that ProBoards bases it's fees on that. I'm fortunate enough to have a good income and decided that this sanctuary is worth helping to fund and I hope that some of you who value it will also consider helping to underwrite the cost via a small donation each month if you can.

ps: It was 25 years ago today that I realized the value of personal preparedness and the need for a disaster plan. I was at work at the Port of Oakland when the Loma Preita earthquake struck and my regular route home was blocked off due to the collapse of the Cypress structure and even my second choice was closed for inspection of an overpass so there was only 1 road out. It wasn't long before I began to learn what I needed to do/have in the event of a disaster and soon began to carry a backpack in my car with some basics and got my hillside home, which was located less than half a mile from the Hayward fault, as well preped as I could.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

Thanks Redcass and Dallas this is exactly what we have tried to achieve.

-------------------------------

As far as what I am doing at this time:

1) I tried to get a flu shot the other day (since I am in the why not category) and I found out that my insurance company will not accept my usual card. They have sent out flu shot cards which I must use - or pay out of pocket $25.00. I have to wait for this card to arrive in the mail. Now - this is ridiculous! About $14,000 per year in premiums is paid by my family + company contribution to this insurance company for our coverage. And they are requiring us to use some new card specifically for a flu shot? A card we don't have yet? Ok - so was mad that I decided not to get the shot.

I am an older person, with a co-morbidity specifically proven to complicate a flu illness. A hospital stay for me will cost this insurance company many, many, thousands of dollars. A stupid business decision by them. I am waiting to calm down before I call them. The pharmacist gave me the particular code numbers to ask for so they can process the transaction without the flu card. I speculate that the insurance company is trying to save $25.00 per covered client by requiring the use of some not yet received card. Rant over.

2) I am really inspired by the trash bag lady in Liberia so I bought 2 large boxes of yard bags. It is a psychological response, but I feel better having them. I got a good deal at one of the large retailers. I bought some more hand gel since I had given all of mine away to relatives. I was surprised to see so many with the alcohol level at 62%. I bought the hand gel with 70%. I feel hand gel is a necessity these days. I have a large pump one at the front door. No one gets into my house without using it before they pass Go! lol I always carry hand gel in my purse and car.

3) Since no drugs, vitamins, etc. can help with ebola, I have only daily vitamins for regular use. I am not stocking up on anything except what I would need for a hurricane.

4) I would take a plane ride now. I am not afraid of getting ebola from a plane experience. BUT - I would be sure my clothes cover my entire body - long pants and sleeves. Also, HAND SANITIZER all the time. I might wear gloves. I always try to stand about 4 feet away from people. On the plane I probably would wear a mask- depending how tightly packed the plane is. I am anxiously waiting to see if any plane passengers get sick from the latest nurse who flew with a temperature.

 

[Zac]

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

On a scale analogous to DEFCON (5=peace, 1=war), I would place our current situation in the US at between 3 and 4. So, I am looking over my plans from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and trying to set criteria for various steps.

For example:

Level 4: increase stocks of food and consumables as convenient, review contingency plans and supply lists

Level 3: acquire items from section 3 on supply lists including fuel reserves (propane, coleman fuel, gasoline, diesel)

Level 2: fill all portable fuel containers, obtain additional food and other commodities if available, install secondary internet connection (satellite internet), order large LiFePo4 battery packs and solar power gear, order items on contingency supplies list, distribute GMRS radios to local friends without them

Level 1: pray?

I am trying to come up with criteria for the various levels. For example:

4: Ebola inside US with infection of unprotected persons with direct contact (living in same house, health care workers of ebola patients, etc.)

3: Spread of Ebola inside US with infection of multiple protected persons (w/out known PPE failure such as needle stick) or those with limited contact

2: Spread of Ebola inside US to multiple persons with semi-direct contact (sitting next to on public carrier) or indication supply chains and transportation links will be disrupted

1: Spread of Ebola to multiple persons with only casual contact or collapse of heath care system

 

[BestlaStormcrow]

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.

My partner & I admin'ed a forum for a few years. Not an easy job, even for a bitty board like we had. I can't imagine the headaches involved with running a forum with so much high-profile traffic and interest.

Thank you for keeping it all running on an even keel :tiphat:

 

[annaraven]

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

I'm in the canning season for me - I can soups, pasta sauces, stock, etc. Pressure canning of course. Yesterday was ratatouille, beef ragu and a couple jars of cannellini beans to fill in the corners on the canner. I also have been using my foodsaver to buy meat in bulk, portion it, and freeze it. Today, I will be portioning out the leftovers of last night's lasagna and vacuum sealing it and into the freezer it goes. So we'll have more convenience foods available.

Another thing to consider is how to heat your foods in case of power outage. Yeah, many you can eat cold but for morale, warm food in winter is far better. I bought an indoor rated butane burner - one I can use right on a tabletop. I can cook on it safely indoors, so that makes me happy. I just need to pick up some more butane canisters so I have them available in case of need.

Just a reminder to all, as someone mentioned above, you may need to keep your house warm this winter. Please consider what safe methods you can use, and don't succumb to the temptation to bring in outdoor grills, campstoves, outdoor heaters. Get something rated for indoors that won't be putting out carbon monoxide! I ordered a Mr Buddy Indoor Heater and shipped it to my daughter in Montana because I didn't want her to get cold if the power is out in her apartment.

Nice to have options. As I told my daughter, I don't expect more than a couple hundred cases of ebola in the US, but I don't want anyone in my family to be one of those cases.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

I moved the rest of the new posts on this thread to a new thread because they are general preparedness in nature and this thread is about what FT members are doing now, or not, in particular response to the current events (outside of regular preparedness efforts):

Emergency Preparedness Ideas - 2014

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

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

This is a nice description of what I am doing, starting a little more than 2 years ago.

Some quotes:


Dec 9, 2014

Build Your Anti-Viral, Flu-Fighting Primal Microbiota

With the 2014-2015 flu vaccine being effective in less than 50% of cases, it?s even more important for medical providers to understand and support the body?s innate way of defeating viruses. [Granted, from an evolutionary point of view, it is important that we get sick occasionally. But getting sick occasionally doesn?t have to mean unnecessary suffering.]

Our gut microbiota is perhaps one of our most primal features, having co-evolved with us for at least 800 million years. In this symbiotic relationship, while we provide them a warm home and good food, they benefit us by stimulating a number of processes that support digestive, immune, and nervous system function.

Why You Can?t Rely On Just Taking a Probiotic?

Although probiotics are clinically useful, supporting your individual microbiome isn?t as easy as taking a supplement.

How to Build a Primal Microbiome

For anyone?s individual microbiome to confer the many immune, digestive, and nervous system benefits they do, microbes must be supported in the digestive environment they evolved to be in.

A paleo-ancestral diet, low in carbohydrates and high in good quality fat and protein promotes proper microbial diversity and abundant quantities of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter species, naturally, without the use of probiotics (Turnbaugh, et al., 2009) (McAllen, et al., 2014).

Additionally, for the duration of our existence, humans re-inoculated their digestive tracts with fermented food, not probiotic supplements. In contrast to probiotic supplements, fermented food is more likely to affect all three of the microbial genetic pathways, mentioned above.

More: Primal Docs

 

[Sally Furniss]

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

More about Ancestral foods http://humanfoodproject.com/

 

[sharon sanders]

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

I did not get the seasonal flu vaccine this year because 1) my insurance company who is paid 14k+ a year to cover my family made it difficult to pay for the $25.00 shot. I have never received the extra special flu shot card from the insurance company that I need. 2) since October when I tried to get the shot it is developing that the predominant strain is H3N2 and the shot is mostly a miss for this strain.

I am not giving medical advice. This is my personal experience.

 

[ming]

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

But gert, if that was true then why would indigenous people in remote areas always be wiped out by new germs, like flu and measles etc? They would be eating non-refined, natural foods.

 

[Amish Country]

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

Reading some of the posts above was like reading my family history. They think I'm certifiable but I'm the one they come to when something goes wrong and they expect me to be able to fix it. It doesn't matter whether it is a minor cut, a flat tire, a power outage, an oncoming hurricane or whatever.

If there was to be a major wide spread crisis with interruptions in JIT I would expect wild game, freshwater fish, cats, dogs and pigeons to disappear in short order.

I take some issue with the posters attesting to the wonderful taste of squirrel and the ease in preparation. IMHO it is an acquired taste I have no intention of making the effort needed to possess. In this area the tannic acid found in their major food source, acorns, may have something to do with this. Soaking the meat in salty brine overnight is supposed to help. Not. The meat is sticky. The hunters in my family never managed to skin one out without leaving some hairs on the carcass, which inevitably found their way into the stew. The bird shot and small bones didn't help either. Yum!

Right now I'm working on preventive maintenance.

The vehicles have all been recently inspected by a professional mechanic and any needed repairs done.

The family has all had recent physicals, needed vaccines, dental work is up to date. Still working on eye care.

Pets and live stock have been checked over by a veterinarian and have had their vaccines.

Major systems in the home have been inspected and maintained: water, sewage, electrical, heating and structural.

Security system, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in working order.

I have my regular garden and have started working on a guerrilla garden. The guerrilla garden blends into the landscape and is made up of edible and medicinal plants (legal ones). Many of the plants are native species. To the untrained eye it looks like scrub and weeds. There are advantages to living in the country and not having to deal with Home Owner Associations.

I am also working on my skill set. I know how to can (water bath and pressure), dehydrate, salt, pickle, ferment and freeze food. It is not that hard to turn milk into cheese and fruit into wine. Recently I learned how to smoke meats and cheeses. Charcuterie is a much neglected art form.

This evening one of my family member said I hated technology. They are wrong. I love modern refrigeration, air conditioning, central heating, indoor plumbing, the internet, TV, labor saving devices, cars, planes and more. I also know how to live comfortably without them.

 

[Lizw]

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

But gert, if that was true then why would indigenous people in remote areas always be wiped out by new germs, like flu and measles etc? They would be eating non-refined, natural foods.

For exactly the reasons Gert presented. An individual's microbiome is tailored to that person's environment and diet. It develops to deal with the local organisms. Gut bacteria and an immune system that have never encountered a new organism don't have an adequate response, if any at all, and the new organism usually wins.

 

[Lizw]

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

This evening one of my family member said I hated technology. They are wrong. I love modern refrigeration, air conditioning, central heating, indoor plumbing, the internet, TV, labor saving devices, cars, planes and more. I also know how to live comfortably without them.

Lol, I get the same thing. I happen not to care for central heat and a/c, but I'd be one unhappy camper for a while without the internet. We'd go back to books, card and board games and actual conversation without it, but my current circle of friends is international and I would very much miss them.

Speaking of books, I'm surely not the only one boarding them as much as food?

 

[Amish Country]

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

Speaking of books, I'm surely not the only one boarding them as much as food?

I'm on the look out for a good hard back set of encyclopedia. Some of our current set went MIA sometime during out last move.

 

[Emily]

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

This is a nice description of what I am doing, starting a little more than 2 years ago.

Some quotes:


Dec 9, 2014

More: Primal Docs

I've got an almost empty jar of Bubbies sauerkraut in the fridge. I eat it without heating it to preserve the culture bacteria.

 

[Amish Country]

I've got an almost empty jar of Bubbies sauerkraut in the fridge. I eat it without heating it to preserve the culture bacteria.

Have you thought about saving the juice from the kraut and putting some cut up fresh veggies (appropriate to pickling) in it? Hint: don't use broccoli.

Getting back on topic: I have been working on acquiring skill sets that I think may be useful. I have just finished training in butchering and charcuterie. I figure people need to eat and being able to preserve foods using what is available or can be improvised may be useful. Over time I have acquired just about everything needed for processing and preserving meat at home.

Right now I'm considering priorities. What is the best allocation of my time, effort and resources? I'm not sure how much longer the PTB can keep the all the balls they are juggling in the air. I will be pleasantly surprised if they manage to hold it together for another year. We can live in hope. In the mean time I hope that everyone here has prepped appropriate food security for themselves, their families and loved ones. If I can help any of our members with that effort please feel free to message me.
I just have a feeling it is time to get ready. No feeling of doom or foreboding, just a need to get organized, get uncluttered and tidy up some loose ends.

Wishing everyone a little belated happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.