K.M.K.

Doctor Mom's Bird Flu Preparedness Book

DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

Espanol Doctor Mom's Bird Flu Preparedness Book is found at: http://kimberferris2.blogspot.com

By Karen Murphy-Kimber

Member of the Milwaukee/Waukesha County Consortium for Emergency Public Health Preparedness Pandemic Influenza Planning Task Force

Please sign a Petition for Bird Flu Education Materials For All Americans, which is addressed to the U.S. Surgeon General at http://www.petitionsite.com/takeaction/992975702

ABOUT THIS BOOK DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

The simple fact that you are reading this is a very positive sign that you are paying attention to the proverbial handwriting on the wall. A "pandemic alert" has been sounded. The H5N1 Avian (bird flu) virus is spreading through southeast Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and is headed your way.

ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

WHO REGARDS EVERY CASE OF TRANSMISSION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA TO HUMANS AS A CAUSE FOR HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE AND SURVEILLANCE. THE CIRCULATION OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN LARGE NUMBERS OF POULTRY IN A GROWING NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN. INFLUENZA VIRUSES ARE HIGHLY UNSTABLE. THE CO-CIRCULATION OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC ANIMAL VIRUSES WITH HUMAN VIRUSES COULD CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT SPECIES-SPECIFIC VIRUSES TO EXCHANGE GENETIC MATERIAL, GIVING RISE TO A NEW INFLUENZA VIRUS TO WHICH HUMANS WOULD HAVE LITTLE, IF ANY PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY. 1/13/04

APART FROM ITS SEVERE IMPACT ON BIRD POPULATIONS, THIS H5N1 VARIANT HAS PROPERTIES THAT MAKE IT A POTENTIAL RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH OF CONSIDERABLE SIGNIFICANCE. H5N1 VIRUS RECENTLY ISOLATED FROM ASIAN BIRDS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO MUTATE RAPIDLY AND HAS A KNOWN TENDENCY TO ACQUIRE GENES FROM INFLUENZA VIRUSES AFFECTING OTHER SPECIES...WIDESPREAD EPIDEMICS IN BIRDS INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AVIAN AND HUMAN STRAINS TO EXCHANGE GENETIC MATERIALS. IF A NEW VIRUS SUBTYPE EMERGES AS A RESULT, AND IF THAT VIRUS PROVES CAPABLE OF SPREADING EASILY FROM PERSON TO PERSON, THEN THE CONDITION FOR THE START OF AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC WILL HAVE BEEN MET. 1/16/04

Some 204 human cases of H5N1 influenza virus have been recorded, and at least 113 people have died, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). (Updated - 4/21/06) WHO has assembled a Global Influenza Surveillance Network that is monitoring the situation and tells us that once efficient human to human transmission of bird flu is confirmed, if it is not forestalled or delayed, it will encircle the globe and become a pandemic. Historically, pandemics traveled along sea lanes with completed global spread in six to eight months. Today a pandemic would spread along the routes of international air travel and highway interstates in considerably shorter time.

The focus of this book, DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK is on pandemic preparedness. The information found throughout is gathered and researched with mothers and caregivers in mind. It will inform you about the inevitable spread of H5N1 to all countries on the globe should this virus become easily transmissable among humans. It will provide you with precautionary and preparedness strategies. And it urges you to practice and teach your children about cough/sneeze etiquette, stringent personal and environmental hygiene and standard infection control measures - - all of which can lessen the spread of influenza viruses.

Wellness is most important to Mothers, Moms, Mums, Mommies, Mummies, Big-Mamas, Madeas, Dr. Moms and Caregivers. So, while preparing for the worst- - we can hope for the best.

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare."

K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPARDNESS BOOK

DEDICATION

"This book is dedicated to my own Doctor Mom, my Mother Mary A. Hill who sat by my bedside, took my temperature, soothed my pains, and spoon-fed me chicken soup made with her own hands, when I was an ill little girl."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I like to thank my husband Kwesi Wayne Kimber who spent many lonely nights while I burned the midnight oil glued to the PC.

Thanks too to my twin sons Austin and Houston for showing interest in and helping research this very important topic in DOCTOR MOM'S PREPAREDNESS BOOK.

And a very special thanks to the yang of my ying, my Soul Sista' Niemi for encouragement throughout this project - DOCTOR MOM'S PREPAREDENESS BOOK.

FORWARD

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit yielding seed; for you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and every fowl of the air, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good," Genesis 1:27-31a King James Version HOLY BIBLE

Mankind's power struggle for dominion with beasts and fowls continues to unfold with H5N1 avian (bird flu) influenza. It is not good that Asia has become a "hot spot" from whence bird flu is spreading geographically. Nor is it good that a limited number of the confirmed cases are the result of human to human transmission. And it is certainly not good that the virus continues to mutate. Why? Because human to human transmission (limited or efficient), and the continued mutation of H5N1 influenza virus anywhere is a threat to humans everywhere.

"If a case should be managed at home, the family will need to be educated on personal hygiene and infection control measures." WHO

Chapter 1 - The Bird Flu, Yada, Yada, Yada...

"While your government will do much to prepare for an pandemic, individual action and individual responsibility are necessary for the success of any measures. Not only should you take action to protect yourself and your families you should also take action to prevent the spread of influenza if you or anyone in your family becomes ill. Together we will confront this emerging threat together, as Americans, we will be prepared to protect our families, our communities, this great Nation, and our world."

GEORGE W. BUSH

The White House, November 1, 2005

Like hundreds of thousands of New Orleanians discovered in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, your home can become "ground zero." Men, women, children, families, and in some cases whole neighborhoods perched on top of roof tops for days, waiting to be rescued from raging flood waters. Eeevvveeennntttuuuaaalllyyy the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) came through. How effectively they came through remains to be seen. But thanks to the Red Cross and other volunteer organizations that did come to the aide of their countrymen.

Unfortunately for you and me, FEMA nor the Red Cross will be able to save us from H5N1 should it become easily transmissable from person to person . The Calvary will not be coming, but the National Guard will (to enforce curfews, travel restrictions and keep us isolated or quarantined if we or our loved-ones get sick). Take note - that our homes, neighborhoods, communities, regions, states they are our roots... our grassroots.

For when our teeth ache we visit a local dentist, not a dentist across the country. We buy bread at local stores. We call a neighborhood mechanic when our vehicles break down.

The bottom-line, is we receive our goods and services at or near home. A friend of mine, a political consultant and journalist always says, "all politics is local." She's right. Not only is all politics local, but so are our life's essentials. You would no more expect your government to save you and your loved-ones if a robber breaks into your home. Instead, you would awaken, roust your loved-ones and call your local law enforcement authorities.

U.S. officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Agriculture Department, and Homeland Security are holding flu summits throughout the nation to generate support and provide assistance to state officials, who would have to: make sure that citizens get medical care, oversee quarantine efforts, and assure that homes, medical facilities and businesses receive critical supplies. For schedules and press releases of past summits see http://www.pandemic.gov

Summits among state officials is a good thing, but they are also needed at the grassroots level. One by one,cities throughout America are facilitating community pandemic preparedness summits to coordinate emergency responders, municipal services, businesses, education institutions, and most importantly medical and health care facilities. Seattle, Washington has the distinction of being "the most prepared city in America."

Mothers and caregivers need urge their local municipalities to facilitate summits sooner rather than later. The more informed and prepared that families are the better. The bottom-line is we need top down to bottom preparedness in order to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

We need community-wide educational summits that will provide us with information and strategies like (social distancing) to prevent the spread of bird flu if it becomes a pandemic. We need to know what kind of items and how to store or stockpiling in order to survive waves of a pandemic. A parochial approach to pandemic preparedness will kill two birds with one stone. It can reduce the spread of bird flu as well as public anxiety.

Knowledge is a powerful force - - even over a deadly microscopic virus. So what do we know?

1. Nobody can estimate the likelihood of a pandemic nor the morbidity (illness) or mortality (death) associated with it.

2. The apperance of H5N1 influenza in 1997 shows how a virus change in both structure and transmission.

3. No one was prepared for the 1918 flu, which killed more than 20 million people around the world.

4. Based on the occurrence of pandemics in the past, the world will likely experience another pandemic.

5. The last pandemic occured 40 years ago.

6. The H5N1 subtype infected in 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.

THE IMPACT OF PANDEMIC DEPENDS ON:

A. Transmission Potential - mechanism through which viruses are spread from person to person.

B. Virulence - ability to cause disease and overcome the body's natural defense mechanisms.

C. Effectiveness - response to the outbreak

Source - Preparedness & Community Response to Pandemics, University of Albany, New York, E-Course

Almost everyone is familiar with personal hygiene (sneeze/cough etiquette) and environmental hygiene (clean and sanitized homes). But those of us who aren't members of the healthcare profession know little or nothing about standard infection control measures. The kinds of measures that are used in hospitals, health and medical facilities, every day. So since the essences of life begins at home, so should these safety, precautionary, preventative, and preparedness strategies.

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

Bird flu symptoms in humans are: fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches & pains, weakness, sometimes conjunctivitis (pink eye), and in severe cases breathing difficulty which turns into a viral pneumonia, than a bacterial pneumonia, and finally respiratory failure.

As frightening as these symptoms sound, I realize that mothers and caregivers have successfully nursed sick loved-ones through various viral strains of influenza before. People survived and lived to tell about the: 1918 Spanish Flu, 1957 Asian Flu, and 1968 Hong Kong Flu, and 2003 SARS.

With an arsenal of over-the-counter meds, medical supplies, survival gear, rations, non-traditional communications technology, spiritual faith, TLC, some old fashioned home remedies, and strategies, we and our loved-ones can survive this one too - - though the conjunctivitis and pneumonia will be challenging.

Here is a home remedy eye wash for conjunctivitis: 1 part Johnson's Baby Shampoo to 10 parts of sterile water. Apply the eye wash to the eyes first thing in the morning to wash away caked on mucus, also apply to the eyes several times throughout the day.

Here is a tip for combating breathing difficulty and preventing pneumonia - turn sick rooms into high humidity rooms by placing heavy plastic (the type of plastic that painters use to cover items they don't want paint to spill on), over the doors and windows and putting two or more portable cool mist humidifiers filled with purified water in each corner or vaporizers. Run them 24/7. Humidity helps prevent the loss of water from the body (dehydration) and thins mucus and phlegm. The last thing you want is for lungs to become congested. Also, encourage loved-ones to spit out phlegm into basins. If you chose to use humidifiers, than l recommend putting a vapor product like VICKS on the neck and upper chest. (Note - try to keep loved-ones covered when a vapor product is on the neck or chest - - in spite of fever.) They now have vapor products that you can plug into wall outlets, try using those as well. Speaking of fever, no doubt you will have to sponge bath with tipid water NOT ALCOHOL to keep temperatures down.

Mothers and caregivers take heed and take advantage of the time. Develop a home preparedness plan. Homes are going to be ground zero during a bird flu pandemic. Don't let the word pandemic scare you. Simply put, a pandemic is a widespread geographic epidemic or outbreak. Answers.com define pandemic as an, "epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population."

Three Conditions Must Exist For A Pandemic To Occur

1. A novel or new influenza strain must emerge. H5N1 was first identified in Hong Kong in 1997, and is the first influenza virus that is directly transmissible from birds to humans.

2. The emerging new influenza strain must make humans sick.

3. The emerging new influenza must easily spread from person to person.

Keep abreast of news relating to the bird flu. Secure over-the-counter meds, medical supplies, provisions, survival gear, and rations. Research the internet, comb through newspapers and magazines. Learn everything you can about local and state efforts. Contact your elected representatives and obtain a copy of your community's bird flu preparedness plans, so while your government and local officials appropriate dollars to stock-pile antiviral drugs, assemble preparedness apparatuses, and while pharmaceutical companies scramble to develop vaccines - - you will be as industrious as the squirrel (search, store, and prepare.)

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

I'm reminded of the old adage, " love begins at homes and spreads abroad." In this case, bird flu can spread from abroad - the Netherlands, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Ukraine,Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Africa, United Kingdom, _____ and is expected to infiltrate millions of homes around the world. In the United States, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department estimates 90 million Americans will contract the virus, and 1.9 million will die without medications. Top health officials in my hometown of Milwaukee County in the state of Wisconsin, U.S., estimates that some 300,000 people will contract the virus and another 6,000 will become fatalities.

Speaking of medications - - there is no vaccine against the bird flu. And if there were, I understand that we would have to have two inoculations. However, vaccines may not be available for sometime after a second wave of the bird flu, and they will be after all, a second line of defense. In other words, many will have gotten ill or become fatalities before enough vaccine is available to inoculate the world's remaining population. Vaccines were available during the 1957 and 1968 pandemic viruses, but arrived too late to have an impact, according to WHO.

There is a shortage of anti-viral and neuraminidase inhibitor drugs that reduce the length of the illness. The U.S. is planning to stockpile 4 million doses. The U.S. currently has stockpiles for 1 or 2 percent of the population. The other 99 or 98 percent of U.S. citizens will have to go it alone without the only drugs that the experts believe will provide therapeutic relief. The U.K. is stockpiling 114.6 million doses, Hong Kong is stockpiling 1.2 million doses, Canada is stockpiling 9.6 million doses, both Italy and France are stockpiling 2 million doses.

WHO is concerned about disparities in disseminating antiviral drugs, because weathly developed nations can better afford to purchase antiviral drugs for stockpiling, while third world nations (at-risk) nations where bird flu is more likely to spread, can not. If third world at-risk nations are unable to provide antiviral drugs to their population, than that puts the populations of wealthy developed nations at-risk too. I do believe that wealthy developed nations have a moral obligation to share their economic resources. WHO began precautionary measures of developing a strain of avian influenza that could be used to produce a vaccine in January of 2004.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has established: 1. A Vaccine Priority List, and 2. An Anti-Viral priority List.

When a vaccine becomes available, where will the U.S. government put you or your loved-ones on this list?

United States Vaccine Priority List:

. Vaccine, anti-viral makers (40,000)

. Health workers (8 - 9 million)

. Elderly with one or more flu high risk conditions (18.2 million)

. Non-elderly with two or more flu high risk conditions (6.9 million)

. Those with a history of pneumonia, flu or other risk (740,000)

. Pregnant women (3 million)

. Those near people with compromised immune systems (2.7 million)

. Those with children younger than 6 months old (5 million)

. Emergency responders (150,000)

. Key government leaders (???)

. Healthy elderly 17.7 million)

. Non-elderly with one high risk condition (35.8 million)

. Children 6 - 23 months (5.6 million)

. Other emergency responders (300,000)

. Police, firefighters, other public safety workers (3 million)

. Utility workers (364,000)

. Transportation workers (3.8 million)

. Telecommunication workers (1 million)

. Health decision-makers (???)

. Funeral directors, embalmers (60,000)

. All others (179.3 million)

A closer look at the U.S.vaccine priority list supports the theory that anti-viral drugs is the first line of defense, which is why both vaccine and anti-viral drug makers should remain atop of the list for inoculations. Health workers should remain in the second spot. Both populations should be the First Priority Category.

However, the U.S. should revise the vaccine priority list and make a Second Priority Category for:

* emergency responders (number three spot),

* pregnant women (number four spot),

* children 6 - 23 months (number five spot), and

* people living with children younger than 6 months (number six spot).

The rational being, surveillance has shown that children are at greater risk for contracting and dying from bird flu. They also remain infectious (able to spread the virus), at a rate 3 times that of adults (7 days for adults/21 days for children). While historically, 55 percent of pregnant women became fatalities during pandemics.

As far as I'm concerned police, firefighters and other public safety workers, utility workers, telecommunication workers, and transportation workers are a bit too far down on the list for comfort.

Where law & order and safety is concerned, there are only so many National Guard to go around. During a pandemic, every U.S. municipality or state will be in a state of alert or emergency. Many normal procedures that govern will go out of the window. So, law enforcement and public safety workers should be (The Third Category). Telecommunication and transportation workers should be (The Fourth Category) so that already anxious citizens will continue to be able to keep in touch with loved-ones via standard forms of communications technology.

I noted with interest how low funeral directors and embalmers are on this list. In my hometown of Milwaukee County officials at the Medical Examiner's office, "plan to close off 9th St. so bodies can be stored in refrigerated trucks, and (they plan to get) permission to rapidly cremate bodies, if needed." SOURCE - BIRD FLU: ARE WE PREPARED? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN HERE? Officials do their best to plan for widespread illness, by Kawanza Newson, Milwaukee, Journal Sentinel, Tuesday, November 15, 2005.

If other U.S. states and municipalities are planning as Milwaukee County is, to refrigerate and cremate bodies of the dead, than I understand why funeral directors and embalmers are near the bottom of the list. There are ramifications associated with mass cremations. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Unitarian, Buddhist, etc., to most of us the burial of our dead is sacrosanct.

I'm reminded of a scene from the classic motion picture Gone With The Wind, where yellow fever fatalities are carried from mansions by men with kerchiefs covering their mouths, who pile the dead bodies on to horse drawn wagons, for disposal outside of town.

Much sensitivity will be needed in this area!

Meanwhile, the Gilead Company who invented the anti-viral drug Tamiflu and Roche Pharmaceuticals, who are licensed to sell the product are embroiled in a tug-a-war over who will profit and meet the rising consumer demands. Tamiflu is the first line of defense. During a pandemic Tamiflu will be the silver bullet. Watch the prices soar.

When enough Tamiflu is available, where will the U.S. government put you or your love-ones on their list?

United States Anti-Viral Drug (Tamiflu) Priority List:

. Patients admitted to hospitals (10 million)

. Health care workers with patient contact, emergency responders (9.2 million)

. Those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women (2.5 million)

. Pandemic health responders, public safety workers, government decision- makers (3.3 million)

. Young children, elderly, those with medical conditions (85.5 million)

. Outbreak responders in nursing homes, residential settings (???)

. Hospital health care workers, EMS providers (1.2 million)

. Other health care workers, transportation, utility, telecommunication workers (10.2 million)

. Other outpatients (180 million)

. Highest risk outpatients (2.5 million)

. Other health care workers with patient contact ( 8 million)

I have problems with this second priority list also. For one thing, aren't healthcare workers with patient contact, emergency responders, hospital health care workers, EMS providers, other health care workers, and other health care workers with patient contact, all in the same category?

Secondly, highest risk outpatients are near the bottom of the list. Mothers and caregivers who are uninsured (because they are indigent or lose coverage due to absenteeism), will most likely fall into the category of highest risk outpatients. Another factor that would increase the highest risk outpatient category, is the implementation of quarantines that will restrict citizens from traveling outside of homes, neighborhoods, and communities to reach hospitals facilities and make-shift hospitals. This population will need community education summits in standard infection control measures.

Imagine with me, a line of citizens waiting to receive Tamiflu in the order that follows. Do you see how the U.S. Anti-Viral Drug Priority List will play out in these cases? How would you feel if you were either of these individuals? How can these priorities be justified?

1. 72 yr. old male, with hypertensive, diabetes

2. 2 1/2 yr. old, healthy, baby girl

3. 32 yr. old, healthy, male bus driver

4. 25 yr. old, healthy, six month at-risk pregnant, female, emergency room technician

5. 48 yr. old, healthy, female, medical physician

6. 55 yr. old, semi-healthy, male, college professor, who smokes 2 packs of cigarettes per day

7. 30 yr. old, at-risk male, with HIV/AIDS

8. 4 yr. old, male, sick with bird flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat)

9. 81 yr. old, fragile, female, who is hospitalized with a broken hip

10. 35 yr. old, healthy, male, law enforcement officer, with the sniffles

Wellness is the main thing on the minds of mothers and caregivers with sick loved-ones. Bird flu is a usually dormant virus, naturally found in the intestines of birds. Humans contract the virus by coming in contact with infected birds, infected secretions or infected surfaces. We can't minimize or ignore the handwriting on the wall. It is spreading and is headed our way. Mothers and caregivers please take advantage of the time and move in the direction of preparedness. So while the international community, governments, and pharmaceutical companies do their preparedness thing, we will prepare our homes.

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

H5N1 HAS TWO STRIKING FEATURES

"The overwhelming concentration in previously healthy children and young adults; and a very high mortality rate." WHO

"IN contrast to 1997 when most deaths from bird flu occurred among victims older than 13, recent avian influenza infections have caused high rates of death among: 1. infants, and 2. young children. Alarmingly, the fatality rate was a mind-boggling 90 percent among young patients in Thailand." http://www.bird-fluonline.com

The incubation period from the time a human is exposed to the time that person exhibits or displays symptoms (usually a temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit, a cough or sore throat), is 3 days median or (2 to 4 days). From that point on adults can infect others for up to 7 days. Alarmingly, children can spread the virus for 21 days.

Without medication the average life expectancy is 9.75 days or nine days and eighteen hours, rounded to ten days. I obtained these numbers by calculating the confirmed cases posted on the WHO website under Avian Influenza Situation Updates. Detailed surveillance information about bird flu from specific locals of outbreak is provided at http://www.who.int/

AVIAN INFLUENZA SITUATION UPDATES

No. 48 - 35 yr. old man, Symptoms-Nov. 6th, Hospitalized-Nov. 9th, Died-Nov. 19th, Survived-13 Days

No. 47 - 5 yr. old boy, Symptoms-Nov. 25th, Hospitalized-Dec. 5th, Died-Dec. 7th, Survived-13 Days

No. 45- 25 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Nov. 17th, Hospitalized-Nov. 23rd, Died-Nov. 25th, Survived-8 Days

No. 42 - 35 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Nov. 11th, Hospitalized-Nov. 15th, Died-Nov. 22nd, Survived-11 Days

No. 41 - 24 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Nov. 1st, Hospitalized-Nov. 7th, Died-Nov. 10th, Survived-9 Days

No. 41 - 16 yr. old girl, Symptoms-Nov. 4th, Hospitalized-Nov. 6th, Died-Nov. 8th, Survived-4 Days

No. 41 - 20 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Nov. 5th, Hospitalized-Nov. 9th, Died-Nov. 12th, Survived-7 Days

No. 38 - 18 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Oct. 19th, Hospitalized-Oct. 26th, Died-Oct. 28th, Survived-9 Days

No. 35 - 48 yr. old man, Symptoms-Oct. 13th, Hospitalized-Oct. 17th, Died-Oct. 19th, Survived-9 Days

No. 32 - 27 yr. old woman, Symptoms-Sept. 17th, Hospitalized-Sept. 19th, Died-Sept. 26th, Survived-9 Days

No. 30 - 35 yr. old man, Symptoms-July 25th, Hospitalized-NO, Died-July 31st, Survived-6 Days

No. 29 - 37 yr. old man, Symptoms-August 31st, Hospitalized-Sept. 6th, Died-Sept. 10th, Survived-10 Days

No. 25 - 8 yr. old girl, Symptoms-June 24th, Hospitalized-NO, Died-July 14th, Survived-20 Days

No. 25 - 1 yr. old boy, Symptoms-June 29th, Hospitalized-NO, Died-July 9th, Survived-10 Days

No. 24 - 38 yr. old man, Symptoms-July 2nd, Hospitalized-July 7th, Died-July 12th, Survived-10 Days

No. 15 - 8 yr. old girl, Symptoms-March 29th, Hospitalized-NO, Died-April 7th, Survived-9 Days

*Average Life Expectancy is 9.75 days or nine days and eighteen hours, rounded to 10 days. Source http://www.who.int/

The World Health Organization (WHO) in a pdf file entitled, "Influenza A H5N1: Who Interim Infection Control Guidelines for Health Care Facilities, " recommends avoiding young children (because they can shed the virus for up to 21 days after the fever is resolved), in order to decrease one's risk of contracting bird flu. They state, "Be careful with respiratory secretions (e.g. coughing and sneezing) when around other people, especially small children... It may be best to avoid contact with individuals at risk (small children or those people with illness) until respiratory symptoms have resolved. Note- When an average three or four year-old coughs or sneezes, there are no respiratory symptoms to resolve, yet WHO recommends avoidance?

In another WHO pdf file, "Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat Recommended Strategic Actions," they list "closing school" as the number one non-pharmaceutical intervention to delay the spread of bird flu.

WHO Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions:

1. closing of schools

2. quarantine

3. ban on mass gatherings

4. travel restrictions

The first recommendations are addressed to health care professionals and the second, to nations around the world. With health care professionals being warned to avoid HEALTHY children and all nations closing their schools, what will become of the world's children?

If schools are closed, than daycares will be closed. If schools and daycares are closed, than only mothers and caregivers will have to take care of both HEALTHY and ill children. If a child gets sick with the bird flu, that child will have to be cared for, for at a minimum of 21 days. Now imagine having two or more children who get sick and need caring for, for 21 days? With so many sick and dying, there will be mass absenteeism across all segments of the labor force. U.S. officials estimate that, "absenteeism might engulf 40% of the workforce."

If you are a sole-provider mother or caregiver, than you will have to take off from work to care for your child or children, whether they are HEALTHY or sick. Or find someone else to care for them if they are HEALTHY, and take off from work to care for them, for a minimum of 21 days if they get sick, per child. If you take off from work than you will not be able to make an income. If you do not make an income, than you will not be able to provide: food, shelter, medicine and medical needs, clothing, or pay utilities and other life essential expenses. And if the risk of poverty isn't enough --you also risk contracting bird flu.

Because healthy children and the young are at greater risk for contracting bird flu and because young children remain infections 3 times longer than adults who contract the bird flu, it is imperative that WHO and the international community provide infection control community education. Why?

Because:

Standard Infection Control measures saves lives.

Educating mothers and caregivers about standard infection control measures will save children's lives.

Educating mothers and caregivers about standard infection control measures will save the lives of mothers and caregivers, who care for sick children.

Educating mothers and caregivers about standard infection control measures will slow down the spread of bird flu and bide time, until a vaccine and and enough anti-viral drugs become available for the world's population.

WHO specifies infection control protocol for health care facilities and professionals, but none are specified for the general public in order to prevent the spread of bird flu. WHO also addresses community education, with no mention of educating the world's population about infection control preventative measures. Instead, WHO defines community education as, "Community Education. Community Risk to the Public. As soon as a pandemic is declared health authorities will need to start a continuous process of risk communication to the public. Many difficult issues - the inevitable spread to all countries, the shortage of vaccines and antiviral drugs, justification for the selection of priority groups for protection - will need to be addressed. Effective risk communication, supported by confidence in government authorities and the reliability of their information, may help mitigate some of the social and economic disruption attributed to the anxious public."

Standard Infection Control Measures in Healthcare Facilities:

. Place patient in a private room

. Wear a surgical or procedure mask when entering the patient's room or when working within 3 feet of the patient. Remove the mask when leaving the patient's room and dispose of the mask in a waste container.

. Wear gloves if in contact with respiratory secretions or potentially contaminated surfaces is anticipated.

. Wear a gown if soiling of clothes with a patient's respiratory secretions is anticipated.

. Change gloves and gown after each patient encounter and perform hand hygiene.

. Decontaminate hands before and after touching the patient and after touching the patient's environment or the patient's respiratory secretions, whether or not gloves are worn.

. When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with respiratory secretions, wash hands with soap (either plain or antimicrobial) and

. If hands are not visibly soiled, use and alcohol-based hand rub.

. If patient movement or transport is necessary, have the patient wear a surgical or procedure mask, if possible.

Infection control preventative measures saves lives everyday in hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities worldwide. Educating mothers and caregivers about standard infection control, so that they will practice these preventative measures in their homes before a full pandemic is declared, is smart.

Now is the time to develop preparedness strategies, practice cough/sneeze etiquette, practice frequent handwashing or sanitation, practice stringent personal and environmental hygiene, and learn about infection control measures. If there is an outbreak of sufficient and sustained human to human transmission, than the mutated bird flu virus can be spread via coughs and sneezes. Sneezes travel at 100 miles per hour. So just imagine how fast this airborne pathogen could spread among children in daycare or school?

The best preventions are the old ones of covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing. When I was young we were taught to cover a sneeze or cough with our hands. Experts today recommend coughing and sneezing into one's sleeves to decrease that amount of fluids and pathogens from becoming airborne. As always, handwashing is the number one in preventing the spread of germs and viruses. Make sure to wash hands for at least 2 minutes with a good soap and very warm or hot water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also take the place of handwashing. I prefer using Dial anti-bacterial, but there are many others on the market. Kimberley Clark has an anti-viral tissue that traps bacteria, germs, and viruses in a middle layer.

Kleenex Anti-viral tissue traps 99.9% of cold and flu viruses. In a letter from Lance P. Lamers, Consumer Representative of Kimberley-Clark, dated December 19, 2005, he stated, "The Avian (Bird) Flu is caused by a strain of Influenza A, and KLEENEX Anti-Viral tissue has demonstrated efficacy in test using a common strain of Influenza A. However, the product has not been tested specifically against Avian (Bird) Flu H5N1. Access to H5N1 is restricted and only a limited number of laboratories are qualified to safely test it. KLEENEX Anti-Viral tissue efficacy against H5N1 virus will be tested as soon as it is practical and safe to do so." I'm very impressed that Kimberly Clark is willing to test their product against H5N1 bird flu. For a free manufacturers coupon write: Kimberley-Clark, P.O. Box 2020, Neenah, WI 54957-2020.

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, handy wipes, anti-viral Kleenex, Lysol, Chlorine or bleach sanitizing products can reduce the spread of bird flu. Bird flu can wipe out whole households unless standard infection control measures are practiced. Every bed room of every sick loved-one will have to be turned into an intensive care hospital room. There are no guarantees that we will be able to leave our homes or neighborhoods to seek medical attention at hospitals or make-shift facilities. After all the rule of thumb where influenza is concerned, has always been "stay home." And if you or your loved-ones must travel than I suggest doing so with OSHA approved respiratory mask. (Not the surgical or procedure mask found in hospitals.)

I've researched the internet and discovered a manufacturer of a "NANO MASK." The makers of the NANO Mask purports that their product is more than just another filter because, like the KLEENEX Anti-Viral tissue - - it has a barrier that traps germs, bacteria, and virus away from the respiratory system. I suggest searching the internet for as many products as possible to add to your home preparedness kit.

"Avian influenza virus is inactivated by 70% alcohol and by chlorine, therefore cleaning of environmental surfaces with neutral detergent followed by a disinfectant solution is recommend. Strong disinfectant iodine based compounds will kill it." WHO

Every bed room of every sick loved-one must be turned into a intensive care room. Cover the doors and windows with plastic (the kind that painters use), to keep contaminates away from other parts of your home. If your child keeps her pet in her room relocate it to another area of the house. Also, remove unnecessary items from shelves and surfaces like: paper or cloth posters and paintings; collectible toys; books; and all common-use items used by other family members, like PCs and game systems. In other words, remove any item that can harbor germs, bacteria, and viruses that you don't want to have to sanitize everyday. Explain to your loved-one, that you are putting her precious items aside for safekeeping. But allow her to keep a couple items that must to be disposed of, once she is well. The goal is not to strip the personality from your loved-one's bed room - - but to decontaminate surfaces and lessen the length and severity of the illness.

Mothers and caregivers will be hard pressed to cloister youngsters in their bedrooms and away from the family. However, when in the presence of family members, make sure that everyone is masked. I suggest also stocking up on crayons and coloring books, games, and toys - - that will be used exclusively by them. These items will have to be sanitized every day. Note: All stuff toys must be banned from sick rooms. Because the bird flu virus can live on surfaces for days . After the child has recovered (21 days after displaying symptoms), the games, toys and other items should be disposed of. DO NOT re-use.

In my hometown of Milwaukee, we are fortunate to have a specialty store that sells medical and science supplies at affordable costs. While at this store I priced disposable hospital surgical gowns, masks, gloves, booties, goggles, and hair nets. They also sell plastic medicine bottles, basins, eye droppers, bed pans, and an assortment of other containers. If there is no specialty store in your hometown, thumb through the yellow pages under medical supplies.

Sick loved-ones will undoubtedly sweat, cough, and sneeze - - leaving secretions on pillows, sheets, bedding, towels, pajamas, undergarments, and other cloth materials. It is imperative that all of these items when soiled, are separated from the rest of the family's laundry. Keep a disposable trash bag in the bed room for soiled items and wash them separately with plenty of chlorine bleach. Note - like pillows, stuffed toys can absorb germs, bacteria and virus - - so throw them away and replace them as often as is necessary. Throw away and replace pillows: every time secretions soak through the cases, once the symptoms have subsided, and after the infectious period has ended and your loved-one has regained full health. Comb thrift stores, garage and rummage sales to buy extra washcloths, towels, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, comforters, and pajamas. Stock these items for use during a bird flu pandemic.

Stock up on plenty of chlorine bleach because you're gonna need it. Chlorine bleach will be needed to sanitize the bedroom everyday as long as your loved-one is ill and remains infectious (at minimum 7 days for adults/ at minimum 21 days for children). When I say sanitize I mean, everything in the room must be wiped down once everyday including wooden furniture. So if you're afraid of damaging furniture by daily sanitizing it with bleach, I suggest you remove it at the onset of the illness along with the other before mentioned items. Eating utensils will have to be separated and washed with bleach. To cut down on washing dishes twice (once for the family and once for your sick loved-one), I suggest using plastic forks, spoons, bowls, cups, and paper plates.

Put three trash bags should be put in the room. One to collect soiled bedding and clothes. One to collect used tissues, paper plates, plastic utensils, gowns, masks, gloves, sponges, cotton balls, disposable thermometers, etc. And one to collect re-usable plastic items like trays, basins and bed pans. The contents in the three trash bags is contaminated. Take the trash bag with contaminated garbage out everyday before sanitizing. Note - community sanitation departments (workers) are going to have to come up with a protocol for collecting contaminated garbage.

Take special precautions by making sure your loved-one is wearing a surgical or procedure mask when leaving the room for any reason. (e.g. going to use the bathroom.) To lessen the likelihood of infecting other family members, I strongly suggest that mothers and caregivers utilize bed pans,urinals, or portable potties (the kind that are used by individuals in nursing home and health care facilities.) Bodily fluids like: urine and feces are contaminated with H5N1 and should be handled with care. Be sure to wear your gloves when handling waste. Waste should be flushed down toilets. Disinfect the bowl and seat before anyone else uses it.

Sick loved-ones will also have to leave their room during the sanitizing process. A 70% chlorine bleach solution is extremely strong. Perhaps you can provide another space in your home for them to wait, while chlorine fumes dissipate. But make sure your loved-one's keeps on his or her mask, even when they cough or sneezes.

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

Here are just some items that you will need. Note - This list in no way contains everything imagined.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) ages 13 and older

Jr. Tylenol ages 6 to 11 years

Infant Tylenol consult your physician

DayQuil/Tylenol Cold & Flu ages 13 and older

Pedialyte (electrolyte replacement) children

Gatorade (electrolyte replacement ages 13 and older

Salt Water Nose Drops

Vapor Product

Disposable Thermometers

humidifiers

Vaporizers

Disaposable Eye Droppers

Disposable Bed Pans/Urinals

Portable Potty

N95 Standard Masks

Surgical Masks

Procedure Masks

Disposable Gowns

Disposable Gloves

Disposable Hair Covering

Disposable Booties

Disposable Basins/Trays

Goggles

Cotton Balls

Disposable Utensils (cups, forks, spoons, bowls, plates)

Kleenex Anti-Viral tissue

Sheets

Pillows

Pillow Cases

Towels

Wash Cloths

Sponges

Buckets

Mops

Brooms

Pajamas

Bleach

Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer

Disinfectant Spray

Handy Wipes

Washing Solution

Johnson Baby Shampoo

Zinc Lozenges

Vitamin C

Shortwave Radio

Walkie-Talkie

Solar or Dynamo Handcranked Flash Lights

Glo Sticks

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

The average life expectancy of an individual is 10 days, unless they receive antiviral treatment within 48 hours of displaying symptoms. Note also - that individuals can spread the virus even before displaying any symptoms. That's just little under two weeks from the time that one is exposed till the time that they could die. WHO provides detailed surveillance information about bird flu from specific locales of outbreaks, which I highly recommend you should check on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

During a bird flu pandemic the country will be in a national state of emergency. During such time, the U.S. federal government will prioritize infection containment by enforcing quarantines and curfews. The President may also declare martial law. Martial law by definition is imposed military rule and authority over civilians in a time of emergency.

Executive Order 12656: "ASSIGNMENT OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RESPONSIBILITIES." A national emergency is an occurrence including natural disaster, military attack, technological emergency, or other emergency that seriously degrades or seriously threatens the national security of the United States. This order includes takeover of all local law enforcement agencies, wage and price controls, prohibits you from moving assests in or out of the United States, creates a draft, controls all travel in and out of the United States, and much more.

Executive Order 10995: All communications media are to be seized by the federal government. Radio, TV, newspapers, CB, Ham, telephones, and the internet. Hence the First Amendment will be suspended indefinitely. (Note- shortwave radio is not included.)

Executive Order 10997: All electrical power, fuels, and all minerals will be seized by the federal government.

Executive Order 10998: All food resources, farms and farm equipment will be seized by the federal government. You will not be allowed to hoard food since this is regulated.

Executive Order 10999: All modes of transportation will go into government control. Any vehicle can be seized.

Executive Order 11000: All civilians can be used for work under federal supervision.

Executive Order 11490: Establishes presidential control over all U.S. citizens, businesses, and churches in times of emergency.

Executive Order 12919: Directs various Cabinet officials to be constantly ready to takeover virtually all aspects of the U.S. economy during a state of national emergency at the direction of the president.

Executive Order 13010: Directs FEMA to take over all government agencies in times of emergency. FEMA is under control of the executive branch of government.

Source - http://www.members.tripod.com/~Sidlinger/ml.html

For communication purposes I recommend purchasing shortwave radios and walkie-talkies. A shortwave radio is transmitted long range (1000 miles or so), in almost every country in the world. Shortwave radio broadcasts on shortwave frequencies of 3 - 30 megahetrz (mHz), and transmits signals off a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere. Shortwave listeners can keep abreast of news from other countries like: Voice of America (VOA); British Broadcasting Company (BBC); Irish Shortwave broadcast; CFRB Canada; All India Radio; British Forces Broadcasting; Radio Australia; HCJB World Radio - Quito,Ecquador; Radio Canada; Family Radio- Oakland, California; Radio Norway; Adventist World Radio - The Voice of Hope for all Peoples; Radio Netherlands; Radio Japan; Blue Danube Radio - Austria; and Channel Africa.

Even though walkie-talkies have short transmission range, you will be able to communicate with your neighbors and stay abreast of local news about curfews and quarantines, law and order, and delivery of goods like: milk, bread, water and other staples. Since all other forms of communications can be seized if martial law is declared, I suggest you make your purchases of shortwave radios and walkie-talkies well before a pandemic is declared. And don't forget to purchase batteries, that is unless you are able to find dynamo or solar powered ones. There are dynamo or handcranked radios (AM/FM/LW/SW/Weather Alerts) - shop wisely. Shortwave radio will give you information about bird flu spread and containment abroad while walkie-talkies will keep you informed about the spread of the virus, fatalities, looting or lawlessness, and scenarios in your own backyard.

Speaking of looting or lawlessness, as radical as this may sound, I suggest that you also secure and bare arms in order to protect your family from unwanteds who have not prepared. Not arming yourself may be detrimental. If you do choose to bare arms, than please do it through legal channels, learn how to use it, and safely store it. If you pass on baring arms no matter what the circumstances, than buy baseball bats, crow bars, etc. to wart off unwanteds.

Historically during emergencies there is always a predator class of marauders who resort to unlawful means for survival. With this in mind, I suggest you devise family security plans/drills and go to your local hardware or home store to buy any number of security apparatuses to help batten down the hatches. (e.g. locks, alarm systems with backup power, window and door bars, alarms, exterior lighting, etc.) Bars on windows may not be aesthetically pleasing, but they can keep unwanteds out.

DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

Chapter 2 - The Matter of When, The Bird Poop Hits The Fan

"Officials assume that if the bird flu virus jumps from birds to people somewhere in the world and begins being passed from person to person it could be in the United States 30 days later...by preparing as individuals, the number of people infeceted could be minimized. And the situation would be less chaotic if everyone has a plan." Source - Associated Press Writer, David Royse, Feb. 16, 2006, Tallahassee, FL, Summit of Florida State and Federal Officials

H5N1 is a usually dormant virus naturally carried in the intestines of birds. It is shed through the saliva, nasal secretions, urine and feces. It is transmitted to (usually) other birds when they are exposed to those secretions and excrements. Humans who come in contact or are exposed to H5N1 infected birds or contaminated secretions and excrements are contracting the bird flu disease. WHO and officials in countries where H5N1 have been detected in birds and wildlife are discouraging human contact and exposure with birds in affected areas. In addition officials are urging poultry farmers and manufactures to keep their stock indoors.

While millions of birds have been killed as a result of the bird flu, millions more have been culled or put down in order to minimize the spread of the disease and prevent the spread of bird flu to humans. According to WHO tens of millions of birds have died and hundreds of millions have been slaughtered,which makes me wonder if our science and technology is able to lessen the person to person transmissability of the virus among humans; are we still in harms way for pestilence due to an imbalance in the ecological bird food chain/web?

Primary consumers and tertiary consumers just might over populate and get out of hand. Here are normal bird food chains/webs and pandemic alert/pandemic bird food chains/WEBS:

Normal (Herbivorous Birds) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = DECOMPOSERS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

Pandemic Alert/Pandemic (Exposure to H5N1 Infected Herbivorous Birds) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = HUMANS = DECOMPOSERS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

Pandemic Alert/Pandemic (Exposure to H5N1 Infected Herbivorous Bird Contaminates) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = DECOMPOSERS = HUMANS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

Normal (Insectivorous Birds) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = TERTIARY CONSUMERS - DECOMPOSERS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

Pandemic Alert/Pandemic (Exposure to H5N1 Infected Insevtivorus Birds) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = TERTIARY CONSUMERS - HUMANS = DECOMPOSERS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

Pandemic Alert/Pandemic Alert (Exposure to H5N1 Infected Insectivorus Bird Contaminates) SUN = PRIMARY CONSUMERS = SECONDARY CONSUMERS = TERTIARY CONSUMERS = DECOMPOSERS = HUMANS = NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE FOOD WEB.

For these reasons, humans should avoid contact with poultry and wild brids. Mothers and caregivers steer clear of duck ponds, open wildlands were migratory birds flock, petting zoos and poultry. Note also - that the virus has been transmitted from birds to pigs and siberian tigers. Though little Easter chicks are cute - - keep your loved-ones far away from them. I wonder if state fair barns will provide protective masks, gloves and hand sanitizer? They should take such precautions. Keeping our loved-ones out of harms way is paramount, even if your youngsters don't see the inside of a zoo for a while.

I believe families can still enjoy greenspaces and the grear outdoors as long as we are very aware of our environment. Before bird flu outbreaks it was normal for my family and I to plop down at a picnic table or bench. With the iminent threat of bird flu I would not do the same without first attempting to disinfect the surfaces with an alcohol or bleach solution of some sort.

For us city dwellers I recommend caution when walking beneath buildings where pigeon droppings are. Doing so exposes ones shoes to bird excrements that could be tracked indoors. Perhaps the Asian custom of removing one's shoes at the front door is necessary in light of the circumstances. How about placing a box, bin or receptacle at the door where loved-ones and guest can place their shoes, and providing homemade or store-bought footies for walking around in your home? Then, spraying disinfectant on your loved-one's shoes before they put them on again in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading bacteria, germs and viruses.

Speaking of spreading bacteria, germs, and viruses -- how about spraying disinfectant on paper money too. Mothers and caregivers should stock up on spray disinfectant, because it sure will be needed. I'm going to place a coat rack where outer garments are hung and disinfected nightly as well. Remember - As of the writing of this book, H5N1 Avian (bird flu) Influenza is transmitted by direct contact with infected birds, infected secretions and infected surfaces. The bird flu is so far, not an airborne disease.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE OF BIRD FLU SPREAD VIA CONTACT WITH BIRD POOP

For exercise every Saturday Grandpa takes a walk down by the lagoon to feed the ducks while Grandma runs errands in town. Unbeknownst to Grandpa migratory geese (carriers of the H5N1 Avian Influenza) were in the area two weeks back, and left contaminated poop on the path. He walks through some of the poop.

After feeding the ducks and soaking in some sunshine, Grandpa walks to church, where he meets up with Grandma and rehearses with the Senior Choir. He tracks poop in the church.

After rehersal, he gets into their vehicle with Grandma and she drives him to the Deli to pick up some cold cuts he special ordered to be served during a poker game he will be having with some old army buddies later that evening. He tracks poop into the vehicle and Deli.

Borth Grandpa and Grandma return home. He tracks poop into their home.

As planned, that evening his buddies came over for the poker game. At the end of the day, the two retired for the night. On Sunday morning they awaken, ate breakfast, dressed for church (Grandpa and Grandma changed into a different pairs of shoes), and made ready to go to church.

Because the virus can live on surfaces for long periods of time, it is concievable that the floors and carpet of the church, the deli, the vehicle, and their home may be contaminated with the bird flu virus. One can not speculate how long the contaminates were alive, nor how many others may have walked in Grandpa's and Grandma's path.

Disinfecting shoes, clothes and money may sound a bit over-the-top, but it is not. They are disinfecting whole vehicles along the borders of countries in parts of the world where the bird flu has been found. Actual road-stops have been setup and cars sprayed before they can leave one country and enter into the next.

I was speaking with an official of my local health department recently. And I said to her, perhaps we should replace metal detectors and wanding at airports, government buildings and schools; with disinfectant misting machines or devices, since the projected fatalities from bird flu far outweighs fatalities from weapons. Bird flu has the capability of being the greatest weapon of mass-destruction the world has seen in hundreds of years.

Surgical Masks, Nano Masks, N95 Masks, Reusable Masks, or No Masks At All

During this so-called prepandemic period, officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Family Services, and manufacturing companies like 3M and Kimberly Clarke are discussing the merits of masking for the general public. As found in standard infection control recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), N95 mask are a part of protective apparel for members of the health care profession and those who's occupations require them to come in direct contact with infected environments (e.g. environmental services staff). WHO also suggest that family members who visit sickened loved-ones, cover themselves with surgical masks.

The reason for masking is twofold: 1) to protect others from catching disese, infection, or contaminents from you, or 2) to protect you from catching disease, infection or contaminents from others. During the SARS epidemic a few years back, the bulk of citizens in the Republic of China were hesitant to don surgical masks. It wasn't until officials declared that no citizen ride on public transportation (which the lionshare of citizens used to get to their jobs, that the citizenry acquiesced.

U.S. officials and mask manufacturers met in early March '06' to discuss the feasibility of making reusable N95 masks. N95 masks, nano masks, and respirators with changeable filters keep micro particles from reaching the respiratory system. It would be a Godsend if a reusable mask could be made that could be worn more than once, is coated with some type of barrier or can be sprayed with disinfectant.

If bird flu does mutate into a form that is easily transmitted from person to person and has the virulence or strength of the 1918-1919 Spanish Influenza that killed an estimated 50,000 people worldwide; than wearing the best mask know to man would be worth every penny. Right now, one can go to a local Wal-Mart and purchase a two pack of N95 masks for a mere $2.89 - - I can only imagine that customer demands may result in limiting supplies and higher prices, once this thing goes pandemic.

I recommend purchasing all of the above types of masking devices as part of your home pandemic preparedness kit since U.S. officials predict that a first wave of the pandemic would last 4 - 8 weeks, during which time all Americans should practice "social distancing." Social distancing is old fashioned self-quarantining, nesting, or plain staying at home. Where any cold and flu is concerned, the road less traveled is best.

The bottom-line, stay in if at all possible during the initial 4 - 8 week first wave of a pandemic, and if you must go out in order to make a livelyhood for example, wear the best mask that your money can buy. Don't skrimp when it comes to masks - - they may well turn out to be the only thing between you and pandemic illness. Remember, humans can survive with small amounts of food and water; but can't survive long without air. If bird flu goes airborn and is easily transmitted via coughs, sneezes, hand shakes, in addition to touching infected surfaces; a mask will be the first line of defense. Search stores and the internet for the best product that you can find.

How stupid would you feel if this bird flu doesn't go pandemic and you have purchased a lot of masks? Since U.S. officials keep repeating that it's not a matter of if, but instead when a pandemic will occur - - then storing masks is still a good idea, even if it means that they will be left in an attic or basement somewhere for our grand or great grand children.

While on the subject, one can eat or donate stocked foodstuffs as they near the expiration dates. Note - stocked or stored items for a pandemic can easily be used for other emergencies like: layoff or unemployment periods, natural disasters, and given to family or community members who are in need. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints always keep a stock of non-perishable items and foodstuffs in their pantries. We can all take a lesson from them here.

As a child I remember that my Grandparents always had more food then they could eat themselves. In addition to their refrigerator with a freezer on top, they also had a large upright freezer - - that was filled with meat and fish they caught from their weekend fishing trips. My Grandparents live through the Great Depression and prided themselves on preparedness. Unfortnately, many of my Baby Boomer peers have failed to pass on the rememberances and lessons our elders and parents taught us about purchasing staple items, cooking from scratch, and stocking our cupboards and refrigerators.

My mother used to work magic with a sack of flour, sugar, corn meal, rice, some baking powder, assorted dried beans and peas, elbow pasta, cheap cuts of meat like: chicken backs, chicken necks, chicken gizzards, chicken livers, beef stew meat, ground beef, fat back, veggies like: stewed tomatoes, fresh cabbage, garden grown tomatoes, cabbage, greens, bell peppers, snap beans, corn on the cob, and seasonal fruit. My Grandmother's scratch lemon cake and my Mother's homemade pound cake could put Sarah Lee and Little Debbies to shame. In my Grandmother's day, canned goods were canned at home.

While researching the web I have noticed a return to the old ways discussed at length by many who are preparing for this pandemic. I've read prepers who are canning elderberry juice extract, chicken, fruits and vegetables. And if you visit the pandemic preparedness and survival websites like: PandemicFlu.gov, the American Red Cross, The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints; they all recommend stocking and storing this sorts of items that our Grandparents and Mothers used to stock and store. It is important that we stock and store for anynumber of emergencies that may arise. Granted, I was one of those who stocked and stored for the dreaded Y2K, but everything I purchased was used later that year which afforded me the economic resources to make big ticket purchase items that I otherwise would not have been able to afford, because of my large month food budget.

WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DO FOR YOU?

"Pandemics are global in nature, but their impact is local. When the next pandemic strikes, as it surely will, it is likely to touch the lives of every individual, family, and community. Our task is to make sure that when this happens, we will be a Nation prepared."

Michael O Leavitt, Secretary

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Secretary- Michael O. Leavitt, Deputy Secretary - Alex Azar, II, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Assistant Secretary - Dr. John Agwunobi and officials at HHS tell us that:

"An influenza (flu) pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that people have not been exposed to before...Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus...A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for months at a time. Everyday life could be disrupted due to people in communities across the country becoming ill at the same time. These disruptions could include everything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as public transportation and health care. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. A pandemic would touch every aspect of society, and so every aspect of society must begin to prepare. State, tribal, and local governments are developing, improving, and testing their plans for an influenza pandemic. Businesses, schools, universities, and other community organizations are preparing plans as well."

Checklists and Materials for families can be found on the website http://www.pandemicflu.gov

Families and Individuals http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html

Family Emergency Health Information Sheet http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/InformationSheet.pdf

Social Disruption, Difficulty or Inability to Work, Periodic or Extended School Closings, Transportation Disruptions, and Incumbered Services To Special Needs Populations

Don't let a pandemic cause a panic! If we plan now, we can still fare well. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities will be overflowing with patients. In fact, most local health preparedness plans includes the using large buildings throughout the community to treat patients in once standard medical facilitieshave over filled with sick patients.

Mothers and caregivers must decide when the time comes, if they are going to nurse sick loved-ones, when they have exhausted their at-home resources and ability, and when to seek medical attention. The H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu) differs from the seasonal flu because:

1. It is a new virus that people have not been exposed to and have no immunity to,

2. The symptoms are similar to the commom flu with these except it causes respiratory or breathing difficulties that can turn into viral pnemonia, then secondary bacterial pnemonia, which allows puss, blood and fluid to accumulate in the lungs so that the patient literally suffocates to death.

3. Healthy young adults and children are at a geater risk for these serious complications and death.

We mothers and caregivers know how much misery the normal seasonal flu causes. It is heartbreaking to sit by the bedside of our loved-ones, who are burning up with fever, sweat perfusly, ache all over, vomits everything that's put into their mouths (including pain reliever and fever reducer), and become as weak as a kitten - - and barely able to get out of bed to relieve themself. Yet we continue the battle of virus versus Doctor Mom. Some of us rely on over-the-counter meds, others on prescription drugs, and others still on home remedies to cure what ailes. In a situation like this, breaking a fever is tantamount to winning the lottery.

So the very delicate decision to determine if you can (provided transportation is available), and if you should seek medical attention for your loved-one is a personal one. The reality is that during a pandemic many will die in hospitals, clinics, medical facilities, make-shift medical units, institutions (nursing homes, prisons,) and at home.

I suggest families sit down together and discuss a range of scenarios and responses to the pandemic sickness. Questions to explore: If your loved-ones will be cared for at home? How you plan to care for loved-ones at home? (e.g. infection control methods, isolation, limites on visitors, prescriptions, and the over-the-counter-drugs, home remedies, medical equipment you plan to use). If one's condition worsens, whether or not you'll seek medical care? Based on the number of medical facilities in your geographic region, insurance issues, your financial resources, reported capacity surge, transportation availability, travel restrictions and quarantine orders - - whether hospitalization is a viable option?

Make provisions in advanced for chronically ill loved-ones. (r.g. insulin and supplies for diabetic loved ones, inhalers and a nebulizer for asthmatic and loved-ones at-risk for bronchitis and pnemonia, for loved-ones who rely on medical machinery - make sure that you have alternative power sources, for loved-ones with chemical imbalances and mental health issues - make sure to have extra meds on hand. For those who require nutritional supplements - stock some well in advance of a pandemic. Prepare living-wills and wills. And don't forget to down load, fill out, and put on your refigerator, the HHS FAMILY EMERGENCY HEALTH INFORMATION SHEET at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/informationsheet.pdf

Banking institution services may be disrupted.

"You and yours will fare better, if you prepare." K.M.K. Author of DOCTOR MOM'S BIRD FLU PREPAREDNESS BOOK

To Be Continued...