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Message |
    
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 225
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 10:11 am: | 
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So, what I heard on the radio today suggests 230,000 Americans may die as a result of a bird flu pandemic. Some questions:
1) What are our local towns doing to prepare for it, if anything?
2) Why do all these neighbors still feed the birds and have all those bird feeders up?
3) Why haven't there been any conspiracy claims from the usual suspects about this?
I mean, where is Michael Moore when you need him? |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 141
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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Hi Facts:
Why would one stop feeding the birds? I mean people shouldn't feed them at this time of the year anyway, they should forage, but why worry about the birds?
You will not get the bird flu from the crow that lives (and dies) in your neighborhood. 230,000 Americans will die if the pandemic has mutatet into a virus that is transmitable by humans. Should this occure I suggest everybody has had the brains to stock up on some food and water. As some might know I went to New Orleans after Katrina and was amazed to see that people who were riding out the storm did so with a gallon of water in reserve. That is actually pretty useless. As a disaster relief volunteer I can tell you that everybody (especially if you have kids) should have "three gallons per head per day" and a three day supply of that. Buy the tuna fish packets (not the cans cause the packet are lighter to carry)and some beans, have a big tube of bactrim (or neosporin)with your first aid kit. Make sure you have an extra month of your prescription medication in your home.
I never had any of this stuff at home and thought people who did where paranoid but after New Orleans I realized that stuff can happen and sometime help is a long way away.
For more info check out:
http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html
Bajou |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1384
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 4:29 pm: |
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Bajou,
I'm *not* being sassy & I do have an emergency kit (though I need to replace the water (leaked) & some other stuff) - but why would one be helpful re. bird flu? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 818
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 4:53 pm: |
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Well seeing as how the government screwed up royally with the backfiring of aids and the test run of SARS...id say we are about due for an epidemic designed to wipe out the poor, disenfranchised people of the world |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 229
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:42 pm: |
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Bajou, Hi
But don't birds have the capacity to carry the virus, like they do from mosquitos? I thought you were going to recommend wine and cigs as the best preventitive measure  |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 154
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:46 pm: |
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The new disaster plan which was rolled out today calls for forced quarantine areas that have been considered infected. Forced quarantine means that people will not be allowed to leave their homes and there will not be any open stores to go to for food shopping. If as discribed in the enclosed article 50 million people would be infected and 2 million would die there would be utter chaos in this (or any other) country. http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/05/03/us.birdflu/index.html
Here is the national plan:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/nspi_implementation.pdf
After I went to New Orleans to volunteer as a Hurricane Katrina rescue worker (Pets) I can tell you that the most shocking realization was that certain disaster plans call for actions that would automatically include acceptance of loss of live to ensure that vital areas are safe. These plans are not meant to serve each resident as an individual but to maintain vital areas for the common good. For all you know your area might not fall into what is considered a vital area and food and water supplies will not reach you as readily as lets say a major vital area like NYC. If you loose 40 % of the workforce in this nation that will include food distribution, sanitation workers, sewer and water systems. You are going to think I am crazy to think that way but I also never thought I'd see people sitting on roofs of houses for over a week in the good old USA without food or water. I have kids and I will never be without water and at least three days of food again. I also have a big backpack ready to go with change of clothing for everybody, a leatherman tool, tent, another first aid kit, protein bars and iodine tablets in case we can't stay in the house. May it all go to waste and I never need it..AMEN |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 155
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
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Dear facts:
I truly believe that wine and cigs are what is going to safe me.
In the meantime unless you handle birds and bird feces you really will be fine. The people who have been infected are poultry farmers who live and breathe these birds..literally.
I know one thing I am going to do the moment the first bird drops dead is to lock my cat in. Cats have been infected by birds in Austria but then shedded the virus on their own. However a humans can transmit the regular flu to a cat and visa versa so my cat will be forced to be all indoor.
B |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1801
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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If it eases anyone's mind, the CDC in Atlanta says that the bird flu in unlikely to become a pandemic and the biggest threat is over-stating the threat.
Here's a quote:
"There is no evidence it will be the next pandemic," Dr. Julie Gerberding,
head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said of
avian flu. There is "no evidence it is evolving in a direction that is
becoming more transmissible to people."
I'm with Bajou, put down the bird feces and feathers and you'll be fine.
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Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 233
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
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Do we have people in the area that have a bird feces fetish?
How do you clean your car or walk off from bird feces then? A rubber suit? |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1803
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 6:23 pm: |
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I imagine bird feces baking in full sun on a metal car reaching temperatures of 200+ degrees F kills lurking virii.
Good news for your health, bad news for your paint job. |
Tofugrl3
Citizen
Username: Tofugrl3
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 9:49 pm: |
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Funny, the people that are worrying about the bird flu are the same people that smoke every day. Cigarette-related illnesses are more likely to kill than the bird flu, but I guess because it's not as intriguing as the bird flu, no one really pays attention to their smoking habits. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 159
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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Guess she means me but I am not worried about the bird flu. Just saying be ready in case you have to support yourself for a while.
But thanks tofu for reminding me that I was not as ready as I thought. I didn't pack any Parliaments.
Ok don't be mad, I am just in a good mood today. |
musicme
Citizen
Username: Musicme
Post Number: 1664
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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The issue with the current flu is that it is not terribly transmissable. You have to be in intimate contact with birds and their fluids. Those who raise them and those that kill and clean them.
This is not to say that the virus could not mutate into a readily transmissable human virus, but right now, there is no need to load up the shotgun. Besides, then you have to don the rubber suit.
The culling that has gone on has been mainly in open-air farms where the domestic fowl can mix with wild.
It is coming, but it is not -at this time- a large human threat.
Speeding SUV's present a more present danger. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 165
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:29 am: |
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What is intimate contact with birds? HMMM Case you seem to be on a hormon trip today ...care to pick this one up? But us a birdome please... |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11394
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Bajou, you might as well pickup some MREs at this site.
http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/tip%20mre%20facts.htm
I doubt if the bird flu is going to be the pandemic everyone is afraid of. However, sooner or later there will be another terrorist attack or the pandemic will come and, as Bajou, points out you will probably be on your own for awhile.
I really don't mean to sound alarmist, but, unfortunately, stuff happens. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 254
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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musicme-
Thanks, I never knew there was such a thing as a bird perv. Have you told the Audobon Society? Now I am going to feel a deep sense of unease when I am at Borders and I see some someone looking at a bird photo book.
Bob K-
Thanks for putting my mind at rest. Now do I have to worry about Y2K again too? |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 168
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Hey Bob K.
I tried them in New Orleans and man they are gross but hey I guss when one is really hungry one should not be too picky. The funniest thing was the FEMA tent in Lamar Dixson. FEMA (they were worse then you think)sent up a gigantic tent which was used by rescue workers. I would say it slept between 200 and 250 people at all times. Fema was also providing food and guess what they served three out of the four nights I stayed there...Cabbage soup.
People were actually nervous about smoking righ outside the tent cause they were afraid a spark could just ignite the whole gassed up mess... |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3007
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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Lydia, you mean stuff like this?
http://abc.go.com/movies/birdflu.html
Possibly the stupidest thing I've seen to be broadcast in a long time. I think it might even be a stupider move than the reality show "Who's Your Daddy?" |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1725
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
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Panic is the best defense. |
Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4645
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
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This just might be the best thing I have ever read on MOL:
"put down the bird feces and feathers and you'll be fine"
Funny AND reassuring. Thanks Lydia.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11396
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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Bajou, and of course on the forth night you had Boston Baked Beans. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 170
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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Very interesting article on why there is so much doomsday news out there lately about the bird flu.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1173650,00.html |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 2030
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 1:03 pm: |
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remember SARS? bird flu will be a non event. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 172
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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hi Bob:
No on the 4th day I ate prison food at the Dixon Correctional Institute.
 |
musicme
Citizen
Username: Musicme
Post Number: 1665
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 2:42 pm: |
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remember SARS? bird flu will be a non event.
'cept fer the birds... |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 177
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 3:19 pm: |
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Yeah you are right music...
As much as bird flu has affected Europe ( I read the european papers every day online) it will be alot worse here (for the birds). In Europe we don't have half the songbirds America has. Should a large number of them die then we have another big problem...Bugs...which brings us right back to West Nile...
Hey Lib...Sars was a non-event to you because you weren't affected but you are not alone in this world:
http://www.who.int/csr/sars/country/2003_07_04/en/index.html
"With 2,500 infected and 193 dead, Beijing was one of the areas hardest hit by the SARS outbreak that killed almost 800 people, mostly in Hong Kong and China, in a worldwide outbreak that infected more than 8,000 by the end of 2003."
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Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4648
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:12 pm: |
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bajou - what was the main course in that picture? eeeek. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 183
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
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BUZZ-it was a patty of something but I know it wasn't meat (the dogs didn't eat it!!!). The side dish was supposed to be Ocra (I think) and the dessert was yogurt and peaches (wich actually manages to look better then it tasted).
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Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3310
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:22 pm: |
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Buzz--looks a lot like feces 'n feathers, the way mom used to make them. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 186
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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and when mom was in a really good mood we got West Nile pudding and a little SARS to drink 
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Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4649
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
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It makes me happy that this thread that made me paranoid also contains my TWO favorite posts.
feces 'n feathers!
^
Great name for a speed metal band! |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 187
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
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Or a new illegal smoking bar...let's live dangerously.
Just imagine being able to say.."I'll meet you for a smoke and a drink at f&f's in an hour"...cool |
Buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 4650
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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I think there already is a place on the Lower East Side called that....... |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 265
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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Guess no one cares about the birds.  |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 190
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 4:56 pm: |
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Yes i care .... |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 270
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
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Well there should be a bird's rights group.
I mean you have this Avian flu PLUS you have people with bird sexual fetishes.
Come on who is standing up for the birds? |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 195
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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So what should be call this agency Peepfus or PAAFBSFAFF's |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 197
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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Check it out
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/04/birdflu.genetics.reut/index.html |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3311
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 5:53 pm: |
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Fuggedaboudit, FVF--your idea is for the birds! (Someone had to say it). |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 274
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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Hey, I don't listen to you damn pandas! You're Chinese secret agents ! |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3312
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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Nah, I am from the branch of bears that are descended directly from the orignal Panda Lama--you must be thinking of the poseurs that are appointed by the Chinese government and are supposed to be in the line of the Panchen Panda Lama, but are really only reincarnated rats. |
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