Ebola

This outbreak is starting to get serious. Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone are in deep [pileoshit]. Since March, there have been 1323 confirmed cases and 729 deaths making it the biggest outbreak ever.

The US Peace Corps just told all of their 340 volunteers in the 3 African nations to evacuate. Liberia just closed all of their schools and told everyone to stay home no matter what. Two US missionary groups just told all their people to evac. A major US based Christian aid organization called Samaritan's Purse who just ordered and evac of all their personnel that were helping with the outbreak. And airlines are starting the cancel routes into and out of the area.

One American citizen was on his way back to the USA via Nigeria where he died from Ebola shortly before getting on his flight to the US potentially allowing the virus to cross into a major international hub.

And now the State department and CDC hatched a plan to evacuate an American Dr and nurse who have the virus and bring them back the US soil. Normally outbreak protocol focuses mainly on preventing the disease from crossing borders but this time the CDC is actively working to purposefully bring the virus across international borders INTO our country. When they arrive it will be the first known time the virus has made it into the US.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/01/health...html?hpt=hp_c2
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...league-it.html

I'm sure they'll keep it contained in our modern hospitals but it makes me start to think about what to do if a major outbreak were to happen in the US. What to stock up on in addition to the beans, bullets and band-aids (like plastic, duct tape, masks, bleach, etc.) When to make the call that's it's time to stay home. How to maintain separation from the population. Etc. Etc.

Is anyone including outbreak and isolation measures in your preps?

Ebola while deadly, is a minor issue in the greater scheme of things. IF CDC is following protocol, cross contamination while not on the table, is in the back of every medical professional's mind.
There are a few places in the US who work with things as deadly, if not more than ebola.
Personally you should be more concerned with food service handlers who do not wash their hands, prepping food or serving to customers, with cuts and lacerations NOT bandaged. The bank teller rubbing their nose then counting your money, AND touching door knobs or handles entering / exiting public rest rooms.
If you did not see Contagion, watch it.
https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608...1&pid=15.1&P=0




Not prepared for a pandemic, but enough material on hand to minimize, contact.

If you have not read this book, do.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hot-Zone-T.../dp/0385479565

Worried, yes. Prepared, not nearly as much as I'd like.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

If you did not see Contagion, watch it.
https://sp1.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608...1&pid=15.1&P=0




If you have not read this book, do.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hot-Zone-T.../dp/0385479565

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Watched it.

Read it. Although it's been at least 15 years. Hot Zone is a GREAT book, I think I'll read it again.

Outbreak was a good book too.

Many people wishing for more than 6 degrees of separation. [emoji33]

lobbed from my electronic ball and chain

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itlK6R7hBn...endisnear1.jpg

Reminds me an awful lot of this:
http://pandemic3.com/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hollohas

Watched it.

Read it. Although it's been at least 15 years. Hot Zone is a GREAT book, I think I'll read it again.

Outbreak was a good book too.

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My business partner and i were in VA for a convention, got as close as we could to the reston area. There's a lot of stuff floatring around, one comes in contact with on a daily basis. We're 1 mutation away from eliminating most of the 2 legged population.

The virus doesn't scare me. The panic of the lemmings does.

In third world countries, the people are used to with poor utilities, limited power, poor distribution, so most households are more prepared for long term emergency.

Can you imagine if the govt declares martial law, closes public schools here like in Liberia? Those groceries shelves will be empty and social order will be in breaking point within days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

The virus doesn't scare me. The panic of the lemmings does.

In third world countries, the people are used to with poor utilities, limited power, poor distribution, so most households are more prepared for long term emergency.

Can you imagine if the govt declares martial law, closes public schools here like in Liberia? Those groceries shelves will be empty and social order will be in breaking point within days.

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Agreed.