Tips For Surviving A Pandemic
Tips For Surviving A Pandemic.
I will add a few more things to this, now that we are living through our own new Pandemic with Covid. I forgot this was here. (Updated March 6, 2022)
I was watching tv on April 29, 2007 and this commercial comes on with children asking their parents what they would do if the Pandemic Flu struck the United States. This kind of put the red flag up. Is this another over-cautious warning from the government or do they know more than what they are telling us?
I have added to this plan for 3 months verses 2 weeks. If a pandemic were to hit, it would take a lot longer than 2 weeks to get the systems up and running again. Knowing how mankind is one must really be prepared.
To plan for a pandemic:
Store a three month supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.
To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:
Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.
Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
Examples of food and non-perishables
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits (with sugar not corn syrup), vegetables, beans, and soups
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal, oatmeal or granola
Peanut butter, nuts and seeds
Dried fruit
Crackers
Canned juices
Canned or Dry Milk
Bottled water
Fluids with electrolytes (buy the powdered Gatorade)
Canned or jarred baby food and formula
Pet food
Other non-perishable items
You will also want to keep a supply of salt, dried legumes (beans), vegetable oil (canola), sugar and flour.
Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies
Surgical mask and respirator use (N-95 or higher)
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash
Medicines for fever, such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Thermometer
Anti-diarrheal medication
Vitamins
Cough Drops like a Menthol Halls, this will help your throat
Rubs like Vicks or Watkins Menthol Camphor Ointment
Ascorbic C Powder
Cleansing agent/soap
Flashlight
Batteries
Portable radio with wind up crank
Manual can opener
Garbage bags
Do I need to add toothpaste and toothbrushes?
Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers
Paper Plates, Plastic Utensils for Eating and Serving
Board games and cards you should also have on hand.
Sadly if you are on oxygen, you will need to find a way to generate the power to run your machine, it is doubtful that your air tanks will be filled up.
You will also need to have some kind of fuel to cook with in the event power is cut. Wood and propane are good, plus if it is hot out you can learn how to do solar cooking. You can also make your own generator using pedal power to help with fans or such, just like in the old days.
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.
From: http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/uda/
In the event of a pandemic, certain public health measures may be important to help contain or limit the spread of infection as effectively as possible. The following actions could include:
Treating sick and exposed people with antivirals;
Isolating sick people in hospitals, homes, or other facilities;
Identifying and quarantining exposed people;
Closing schools and workplaces as needed;
Canceling public events; and
Restricting travel.
Remember that during this pandemic that water, power and fuel could be suspended and the way some of mankind is, a fee will be added to get these restored. Since these services are needed to help us be warm, clean and to cook we will have to think of doing things differently.
If you are fortunate to have running water, use is sparingly. Use it for cleaning and drinking and watering your plants and take sponge baths. You can use your regular dishes, but don't let the water run to long. You will need to also learn about grey water during times like this.
The government won't tell you this, but if a Pandemic Flu did happen, the chances of caos could happen. One must protect themselves from those who would take advantage during this time. We all know mankind. We all know what mankind is capable of doing during tragic times. We have learned from the victims of floods and hurricanes. With no offense to those who were their, you do not want to follow their example. Areas prone to hurricanes and under sea level and no one was prepared for the "what if" factor, Please! Everyone was responsible for that disaster and the most tragic part is they are rebuilding it. Rebuilding an area that is below sea level is a bad idea.
Ok, I am not doing this section to bash people, we must learn from the mistakes.
On the grounds of protection, you need several firearms. A hand gun and at least a shotgun and you will need to know how to use them. As much as one doesn't like the thought of owning or using a gun, this will protect you from intruders. The other thing you need is to know who your neighbors are. This Pandemic they are figuring will hit the populated areas the most i.e cities and large towns. Rural areas that are not in the line of traffic would be spared from being hit. This brings a problem with how to help others. The experts say stay away from people who are sick; and stay home if sick you are sick. With the exception of what you know should this hit, you are basically on your own. Maybe they should distribute antiviral meds.
Antivirals may help prevent infection in people at risk and lessen the impact of symptoms in those infected with influenza. It is unlikely that they would substantially modify the course or effectively contain the spread of an influenza pandemic.
A number of antiviral medications (antivirals) are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat and sometimes prevent flu. At this time, Tamiflu ® and Relenza ® are the most likely antivirals to be used in a pandemic. Some adverse reactions to Tamiflu have been reported in children.
If Pandemic is caused by Avian Flu
Workers (who handle poultry) should receive an influenza antiviral drug daily for the duration of time during which direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces occurs. The choice of antiviral drug should be based on sensitivity testing when possible. In the absence of sensitivity testing, a neuraminidase inhibitor (oseltamavir) is the first choice since the likelihood is smaller that the virus will be resistant to this class of antiviral drugs than to amantadine or rimantadine.
There is no evidence that any human cases of avian influenza have been acquired by eating poultry products. Influenza viruses such as H5N2, H7N2, and H5N1 are destroyed by adequate heat, as are other foodborne pathogens. Consumers are reminded to follow proper food preparation and handling practices, including:
Cook all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) thoroughly before eating. (This means that chicken should be cooked until it reaches a temperature of 180°F, throughout each piece of chicken.)
Raw poultry always should be handled hygienically because it can be associated with many infections, including salmonella. Therefore, all utensils and surfaces (including hands) that come in contact with raw poultry should be cleaned carefully with water and soap immediately afterwards. The World Health Organization has developed food safety guidance for the current situation in Asia .
Personally I think they should distribute sedatives with the meds, the sedatives help you to calm down, you will breathe better and get well quicker.
Some helpful books are
The Foxfire 45th Anniversary Book: Faith, Family, and the Land
For almost half a century, Foxfire has brought the philosophy of simple living to hundreds of thousands of readers, teaching creative self-sufficiency and preserving the stories, crafts, and customs of Appalachia. Inspiring and practical, this classic series has become an American institution.
Firefox Complete
$270.00 Paperback on Amazon.
For over 40 years, high school students in Foxfire programs have helped to gather and publish information about their Southern Appalachian heritage. Best known for the best-selling Foxfire Book series, the series and the other topical titles were all grown from interviews gathered for The Foxfire Magazine. The success of the student-driven program led to professional research that generated the Foxfire Approach to Teaching and Learning and its support materials for use by other educators hoping to achieve similar levels of student involvement and create life-long learners.
A Complete Foxfire Series 14-Book Collection Set with Anniversary Editions (Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 plus 40th and 45th Anniversay Editions) Paperback – Unabridged.
Solar Cooking: A Primer/Cookbook
Information From
Your Health ~ Covid 19 ~ http://www.pandemicflu.gov
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/past.htm
The Cooking Inn
