Bird Flu

[Ladyinblack]

From reading it seems to me one of the biggest threats facing us is the possibility of a bird Flu epidemic that would kill millions here. Of course President Bush has not taken the steps to protect us.
There seems to be little concern about this on DU and that bothers me.
I believe it is time to decide what we can do to influence those in charge to start aggressive actions to protect us.

So, what do you suggest? Perhaps I am over reacting but I do not think so.

[CoffeeCat]

1. I agree...

...and I started a thread earlier today about the steps we can take to protect ourselves--and also what to do should an outbreak occur.

There is a great deal of speculation about bird flu. We don't know what will happen.

However this virus is similar to the 1918 flu outbreak that killed tens of millions of people. They dug up a person who died of the 1918 flu and both viruses are genetically very similar. I'm no microbiologist, but I'm assuming that this means that they both would mutate from bird--->bird to bird--->human in a similar way.

The 1918 flu had a 5 percent mortality rate. Bird flu kills 50 percent of those who contract it. That's enough to make me sit up and take notice!

Here's my post from earlier today. People shared some useful information and great links.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5011111&mesg_id=5011111

[halobeam]

4. Thanks, I'm actually going to take a looksie myself,

BUT... it must be in the morning, so I will bookmark it. This kind of reading is rough, right before you try to go to sleep.

[Ladyhawk]

12. I think the mortality rate has dropped.

The virus is weakening a bit, but it's still quite formidable.

[halobeam]

2. This thread is way small, but has a link to a recent article,

you might be interested in. I don't think you are over-reacting. It's something that needs discussion and if you use the search engine here, you will find endless threads on the subject.

Hope this give you a good start here anyway, Welcome to DU!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=223&topic_id=410&mesg_id=410

Here's another:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5011111

and another:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1828915

and one more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1826007

[thinkingwoman]

3. I used to worry about bird flu

until I heard W snivling about it.

Can't take seriously anything touted by the boykingwhocrieswolf.

Flu comes and goes on this planet. Are we overdue for a pandemic? Probably, but worrying about it won't change anything.

[CoffeeCat]

5. I think you have to take Junior out of the equation...

Did you see what Carolina Lady said on this bird flu thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2145613#2145619

"The infectious disease specialists are in an uproar--I do not
believe it is a "Bush" thing--I do believe however, that he is scared shitless that it will happen on his watch and after the last two natural disasters, he is trying to prove that he cares and is making a plan. As a trained health care professional, I am concerned. Pandemics are fact not fiction and they do occur in cycles. Anybody who is trying to make this a political issue is either ignorant or in denial."

Carolina Lady is right. Bush knows this is serious and right now he's attempting to appear concerned and full of solutions. However, just like any other issue the involves the health and welfare of every-day people--Bush is engaging in bullshit.

He's doing nothing. He knows it's pretty much too late. He should have taken this seriously years ago, but he was sooo busy with his war and not finding Osama--that he didn't have time.

He also read "The Great Influenza" recently and my guess is that he's scared shitless.

Ignore what Bush says and does about bird flu. Read and do your own research. The World Health Organization and medical professionals in other countries have been warning that the US is not taking this seriously. Junior has had a change of heart, but it's only to cover his ass.

It's not just Junior who has been squawking about bird flu. Many in the scientific community have been screaming about this for many months.

[thinkingwoman]

9. Worrying still won't change anything

What can any of us plebes do besides wash our hands a lot and try to stay away from sick people?

[CoffeeCat]

10. I agree...worrying won't change the situation.

You are right.

I'm not worrying, but I am being proactive.

There may be a pandemic. They're may not be.

All I know is that I'm going to be as prepared as I possibly can. There's no way in hell I trust this screw-up administration with my health and well being.

I certainly am not listening to a thing Junior is saying on this subject. There are enough qualified medical and health experts who have been speaking about bird flu for years. Their words are important and I think everyone needs to read and do their own research.

Just like with the hurricane...we are on our own people. Since these bastards have been untrustworthy and incompetent--we must be proactive and take our futures into our own hands.

Unfortunately, there will be a lot of confusion and mixed messages--because we don't have a trusted leader doing the right thing. Which is why everyone needs to do their own research--in order to best protect themselves and their loved ones.

[thinkingwoman]

13. I'm not knocking being prepared

I guess I'm just looking at being prepared as a general thing.

Just as people who live in regions prone to hurricanes are urged to keep water and non-perishable food supplies, we midwesterners do the same in case of winter storms or tornadoes.

There's certainly nothing wrong with urging others to keep prepared. And you are right in saying we are on our own.

But I still resist the bird flu panic, because other than washing hands and generally being prepared, there's nothing that can be done. There's really nothing to be researched by laypeople either.

[pretzel4gore]

6. the 'pigmedia lies all the time' flu....

that's what's going to kill people...if a real bio danger existed, and a real health establishment ran by real pros and not political punks (while the entire was reported by pigmediawhore no one not even the whores themselves, trust to tell truth) the result is that even a real danger of some horrible outbreak of disease would be suspected as part of piggy's plot to feather haliburton's nest some more, until it too late in the case of a genuine problem....there's no reason the newsmedia has to be a class warfare operation (warring for the pigs versus everybody else) since the public pays most of the bill, the public should have a pro public press to inform it...

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Ladyinblack!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[toddaa]

8. Little concern on DU?

Every other freakin' post is about bird flu.

WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

Death cannot be avoided. We've lived in this little bubble for the past fifty years where we mistakenly believed that we could conquer infectious disease. AIDS was the first real assault on that little fantasy. Now we've got antibiotic resistant bacteria coming back in a big way and a killer influenza virus lurking on the horizon. Virii and Bacteria were here a lot longer than we were and will probably be here longer after we are gone.

In the end, the real threat to human civilization remains good old fashioned stupidity.

[Deja Q]

11. Population control?