Thursday, April 30, 2009

pandemic ready?

So are you pandemic ready? Are you worried about the swine flu? Or taking a wait and see approach? Or think this is all overblown entirely?

I am slightly worried. But mostly wait and see. For whatever reason, it seems like cases outside of Mexico are not as serious. And most new cases are coming from people who directly traveled to Mexico - not a lot of transmission between people in new areas. I think it's likely, as with the big one from 1918, that the flu will go underground throughout the summer, to re-emerge, possibly more virulent, in the fall. But, that gives our scientists 4-5 months to develop a vaccine. But I am thinking about starting to stockpile non perishable supplies - slowly, over the summer. Just buying a few extras every pay period kind of thing, to build up a small stockpile.

What about you? How worried are you, and do you have a stockpile?

8 comments:

niobe said...

This is undoubtedly just one indication that I'm not taking this whole swine flu thing nearly seriously enough, but what I've been mostly thinking is: Gosh, now would be the perfect time to score some cheap tickets for a vacation in Cancun.

I know. I know.

Which Box said...

Haha, not what I expected at all. But very, very true.

Tash said...

Niobe makes me giggle.

I've decided that I'm going to have on hand a few bottles of gatorade, few cans of soup, a few pairs of rubber gloves (for cleaning bathrooms), move my aspirin to the very back of the drawer (aspirin is BADBADBAD during flu), and make sure my netflix subscription is up to date and in order. I don't think we can prevent it, but I guess I'm thinking if someone in the house (or at Bella's school) gets it, we're stuck here for a few days. That's probably ready, but I'm not sure it's "stockpiling." As someone on Wonkette said this a.m., they're still wondering what to do with their cases of duct tape.

Wabi said...

The nice thing about living 12 feet from a major fault line is that my earthquake kit doubles as every other disaster kit. Though come to think of it, I don't have any tissues in there ...

JW Moxie said...

A stockpile? Really? The thought had never even crossed my mind. Damn - that would be one hell of a stockpile. Our freezer generally stays fairly stocked, but I'd need to increase the amount of perishables that we keep on a regular basis. Maybe I should think seriously about, though, as there is a confirmed case of Swine Flu in my state now.

Unknown said...

I had not considered buying a few extra's of this and that to store up, thanks...

However, I really think that the best idea would be for you to comment on the incredibly ridiculous ending to PP. I sat watching tonight, thinking "Oh, Whichbox is going to have a field day!". Really?! with the switched embryo's, strung out ex AND a mental patient doing a c-section on the living room floor .... drama overload before bed and way too much going on.

...so stockpile, it's on my to-do-list now. :)

Louise said...

I don't know. Considering the regular flu kills millions of people every year, and this one, well, doesn't... I'm not horribly worried.
I hadn't even heard that people were stockpiling.

Astarte said...

I'm not afraid of it, but I did do a little extra shopping at the grocery store yesterday, mostly because if it *does* come around here, and they close the schools, I won't be able to go. Also, if we get the flu, I don't want to need to go to the store between vomits.