Am I the only one scared Shitless?

Published on November 2, 2005 By sushiK In Health & Medicine

AM I the only one scared absolutely shitless about this Avian Flu reaching Pandemic proportions?
As the father of 2 young boys what the hell do you do if this actually hits the US as a Person to Person contagion?

I find it unimaginable if this were to hit.
What do you do when your child gets sick during this and hospitals are full to the brink?
People at work are sick and you are afraid to be ear them for picking it up and bringing it back to your kids and family.

Estimated 1.8 million to perish in the US alone for a moderately sized pandemic.

Am I the only one in fear over this?

Comments

Dr Guy

on Nov 02, 2005

No, but you cant live your life in constant fear. I am glad that it is recognized and steps are being taken, but if it does hit, there is not much more we can do except ride it out.

just john

on Nov 02, 2005

The Tamiflu product works on this version of the Flu. I have heard reports that the US is supposed to have enough of the treatment to cover 1/3 of the population.

I also understand that currently the virus has not mutated to transfered from human to human.

All of that information is now 2 days old so it could be old and wrong.

Tova7

on Nov 02, 2005

I'd be praying to the God you don't believe in. ~winks~

sushiK

on Nov 02, 2005

What's he got to do with it?
Don;t think he helped those who experienced a pandemic in the last 100 years or so has he? Typical response though, I'll pray and hope it goes away

Texas Wahine

on Nov 02, 2005

I'm not worried, primarily because it's out of my control and worrying won't help.

Dr Guy

on Nov 02, 2005

I'm not worried, primarily because it's out of my control and worrying won't help.

Dont worry, be happy!

sushiK

on Nov 02, 2005

Shit

Back when I was single and running free I would have said the same things.

Now with 2 little guys to protect you tend to think more and there is the paternal instinct popping up to protect them.

ParaTed2k

on Nov 02, 2005

Like everything else, do what you can to arm yourself with as much information as you can... try your best to filter out the fact from the fallacy... then make your preparations accordingly. Praying is always a good option, but when you pray, you have to keep be ready to accept that it just might be the time, place and circumstances God has in mind to bring you (or your loved ones) home.

Epidemics happen a lot, they are tragic and horrible, but like all "personal tragedy, disaster, war (& other things that just plain suck)" the key to minimizing the effects they have on our lives is "mitigation, preparation, response & recovery"... ((((Notice incapaciating horror isn't listed in the mantra. ;~D ))))

Tova7

on Nov 02, 2005

What's he got to do with it?
Don;t think he helped those who experienced a pandemic in the last 100 years or so has he? Typical response though, I'll pray and hope it goes away

Shesh Sushi I was only JOKING...you know what that is right? Note the wink!

sushiK

on Nov 02, 2005

Shesh Sushi I was only JOKING...you know what that is right? Note the wink!

My bad, sorry

ParaTed2k

on Nov 02, 2005

::: Grabbing my guitar and hitting that oh so well known Guitar Riff :::

Sing it LW!!!

But (of course) we

NEED MORE COWBELL!! ;~D

bakerstreet

on Nov 02, 2005

You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than catching this flu at this point. Do you worry yourself shitless over lightening?

Think of it his way, the plain, ordinary flu in the US kills tens of thousands of people a year. I'm not making that up, either. More people die of the flu and related complications than die of AIDS in the US (14k from AIDS, 65k from flu and pneumonia). When the time comes around to get your flu shot, does the ordinary old flu scare you? 70k+ die from diabetes every single year. Worse, "accidents" kill 100K+ every year. I'd call that an epidemic.

I'm not saying that a new flu shouldn't be a concern, but in the great scheme of things you have a better chance of being attacked by a shark than catching bird flu. Maybe that will change, maybe it won't, but in the meantime there are too many other sicknesses, accidents, lightening and sharks to worry about.

Dr Guy

on Nov 02, 2005

One more thing, altho you are probably too young to remember, but remember the Swine Flu? Lots of hype and scare. But a big Fizzle. The difference this time is the docs are worried. But like the guy said after he jumped off the Empire State Building, while passing the 60th floor - so far so good!

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