Reply #32: what can one do, except hope they have good genes? [View All]

[idealista]

Let's say this thing does happen - first of all, does it happen in winter, like the seasonal flu? Or is it so virulent that it does not need the winter's help to reach critical mass and spread effectively?

Ok, will it hit most urban areas about the same time? I imagine in 1918 due to slower travel, it might have made a lazy/deadly tour of the world, but now???

Once it emerges, is that when scientists can begin coming up with an effective vaccine? Which then takes what - 5 months? 8 months to produce in quantity? And will we get it in the US if the makers are in Europe and Canada and politicians there will want their citizens taken care of first?

On a personal level, what about the stategy of trying to isolate yourself long enough that eventually you will be able to get the vaccine?

I know human flu is transmitted very easily, but its never been a life and death matter for me to find out just how easily, and by what means to protect myself.

Will animals here in our environment, birds, dogs, cats - also be carriers?

Can we shut ourselves up in our house, given enough food and if there are people still making sure water and electricity work, for instance, leave the mail untouched out in a box, and have a chance of avoiding exposure?

If someone 50 feet away sneezes, how long do the individual viruses survive, floating thru the air? AIDs, for instance, doesn't survive for any time at all outside the body, i believe. Some viruses stay alive on a doorknob for days, weeks? But not forever...where does flu fit in?