Bird flu: Here is someone outside of the "terra terra terra" scope's view.

Hi there all, in case my screenname did not give it away, I happen to be Australian, and there are still two good news channels here (as in tell you what is actually going on in the world), no desire for scaring the public, and people are just trying to act sensibly. Our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) means that Big Pharma profits are not so huge either.

The common take here on bird flu is this:
- currently, it is pretty much not contagious for humans, or particularly lethal.
- IF it managed to mutate to a human-human transmissable form, it would be dangerous yes and, we have already actually quietly amassed a lot more countermeasures than you, or indeed any other nation. (PBS makes it cheap).
- Currently, you hear about it a few times a month on the news for a few minutes.
- In the various health shops, there are signs designed to scare people into getting flu prevention meds. These play on people's fear of ordinary flu as bird flu is not considered frightening. At all.

However: Mutation to person to person transmission is considered a likely possibility, and a dangerous one.

In summary, from what I see, America has told her citizens that it is really dangerous, oh no, run away, but not actually built up the prevention measures they would if they thought it was true.

Just don't forget that those more impartial of us still believe that a more deadly form is distinctly possible, and may actually happen, even if the media is full of shit about how dangerous it is now.

I am not sure if I got my point across, watch for additives after the edit expires.

It's hard to know what to think, although it's not too hard to lay by some latex gloves, some red beans and rice, and some extra dog food.

not trying to scare you.

The threat of a mutation is real, but America seems more interested in scaring her citizens than laying counter-measures.

Thanks.

that worthless shit that Rumsfeld has big stock in. And by having big stock I mean he has big stock in the company that makes it.

is though. Tamiflu. And mandatory military enforced quarantine I believe.

is difficult to quarantine. Oh well.

Anyway, we have enough meds to trear 20% of the population on standby.

an ineffectual vaccine that won't do anyone any good and bush** will finally get his excuse to declare martial law.

And should be disallowed the vote.

to somewhere like Gitmo.

eventually probably. Regardless of media hysteria.

We've already got a great plan here -- it's called "You're on your own." And in case our imaginations weren't painting a grim enough picture of the "ptero" alert, there was a made-for-TV movie on the other night that depicted everyone pretty much going nuts and rioting and committing suicide. :eyes: Gosh, I missed it, but "The Daily Show" did a synopsis of it -- even they had a hard time not laughing.

I guess I realize that the bird flu could mutate and kill millions, but hey -- Yellowstone is supposed to erupt someday, too. And I hear the odds of an asteroid hitting the Earth are pretty good. :shrug:

I'm not sure why they keep trying to scare the bejeezus out of us with this. The thought of Americans relying on Chertoff aka Nosferatu being in any way effectual in coping has surely got to drive some voters to vote Democratic.

incongrous. Many a person needs to be told STFU, but don't forget that it could be dangerous. I have been concerned of late with the threads saying there is no way it could mutate.

It's just that there's really not anything I can do to stop it from mutating, so I'm concentrating my energies on things I can do something about -- getting our behated leaders out of office.

the worst result should it happen, to make an excuse for martial law.

Countermeasures could prevent the situation from getting bad enough to make the excuse viable.

it to form new strains in the cities. The rich won't be safe.

(Stockpiles of meds, not people, I am not heartless!)

1) It might or might not mutate into a human-human strain.

2) If it does, chances are that it'll be an ugly bug.

3) There's no reason to panic.

4) Stay informed, be prepared.


So many people seem to have a 2-position switch..."PANIC" and "ignore". Thanks for illustrating that there is a middle ground that makes more sense.