What are people doing to prepare for the second wave of H1N1?

[tavalon]

I'll be happy to pass on what my family is doing, but first I'd like to hear what some of my fellow DUers are doing to get prepared.

[Buzz Clik]

1. To prepare? Put an empty bucket next to your bed? Buy some Tylenol?

Calibrate your thermometer?

Seriously, there isn't a lot to do.

[tavalon]

6. Actually, there is

You should store enough food and water for about a month. You should get N95 respirators for each member of your family (now, instead of when they are all sold out) and make sure they fit test them and then understand the situations in which they will need them (when in public). You need to think about child care if you have children and the schools get closed. You need to start thinking about whether you are going to take the vaccine and if you aren't, you need to be very careful about practicing social isolation when the next round gets going. You should learn about how to care for a family member who gets the flu and how to avoid having it spread throughout your house. Get a box of gloves as part of that first aid kit! Learn now to cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands so that it will be a habit by fall. Make sure you wash your hands every time you come back from anywhere (but don't get antibacterial soap - it isn't good for the environment and regular soap, used well, will get the virus off of your hands). No matter how bad your nose itches, from October on, you would do well not to touch it and don't put your fingers in your mouth for any reason at all.

See, there are lots of things to do rather than just panicking or worse, just blowing it off.

[Buzz Clik]

39. I will not be buying a cloth/paper mask for me or anyone. That's just silly.

The pore size of those filters is not small enough to get anything but aerosol spit, and the masks don't seal against the skin -- at least 20% of the air you breathe will come in from the sides.

I have no kids who'll need child care.

I won't be taking the vaccine.

I will not be "socially isolating" myself.

I have 6 kids -- I know how to tend to the ill.

The rest is strictly personal hygiene. I do that already.

Someone mentioned duct tape and plastic sheeting below... I'll avoid that, too.

[MercutioATC]

66. You DO realize that's how flu viruses are transmitted...as "aerosol spit"...

The virus doesn't float around in the air, it's spread in saliva droplets...which an N95 mask will catch.

That said, if you refuse to take measures to prevent transmission and you refuse to isolate yourself, you'll be contributing to the problem.

I don't plan on wearing a mask until things get a lot worse, but I will when I feel it's justified...both for my own protection and the protection of others.

[FSogol]

2. I'm coughing on people before they cough on me.

I'm also increasing my consumption of Guinness Stout.

The best thing you can do is increase hand washing. Get your kids in the habit of washing their hands when returning from school, from other people's houses, etc. That's the best practice for decreasing germ spreading.

[tavalon]

7. LOL

Your third idea is the very best one but the first is the funniest!

[SheilaT]

90. Bingo!

On the hand washing (although I'll participate in the increased Guinness consumption myself).

I cannot get through to most people that hand washing is the key, and I seem to be the only one out there who understands that 90 years ago many homes in this country did not have indoor running water and routine hand washing wasn't routine.

[tekisui]

3. Buying stock in Tamiflu?

[tavalon]

8. No, actually buying some if you can get a hold of it

But that's pretty over the top for most of us.

[Buzz Clik]

40. Tamiflu has been shown ineffective against this strain.

[tavalon]

61. Are you sure about that?

I thought I heard it was.

[Buzz Clik]

64. I read it a couple of times. Maybe it was a local observation.

[MercutioATC]

72. Not entirely, but Tamiflu-resistant strains have been documented.

Interesting note about Tamiflu...over 90% of it passes through your body in your urine.

It's kinda gross, but you can drink that urine and effectively double your course of Tamiflu.

[tavalon]

86. Yeah, gosh, I just don't think I could do that

I know it's somewhat sterile and I am a nurse after all, but nope, just couldn't do that.

[tavalon]

87. I just read up on the CDC site

There have been a couple of cases of tamiflu resistant H1N1 but mostly not.

[superduperfarleft]

4. I'm hoping that all the anti-vaxers

are planning to stay home and compile link after link from unsourced random blogs and woo-woo "health" sites about the dangers of vaccines, so that the lines won't be too long when I go to get mine.

[tavalon]

9. The vaccination thing isn't nearly as black and white as you seem to think it is

That said, the herd really thanks you. I'm really worried about the adjuvent issues and just the fast tracking of this vaccine but I'm getting it too. I'm the main breadwinner in my house and a nurse. My son's life was destroyed by cookie cutter use of vaccinations and it has made me far more cautious about vaccines but we are up against a wall here and despite my concerns I will be getting the vaccine and I will be grateful to all who get it and will be understanding for those who don't unless it's just because they think this is just the same old flu. Those people are wrong and they annoy me.

[superduperfarleft]

16. I know vaccines can be harmful.

I have personal experience with neurological damage caused by vaccines, so I'm only being flippant towards the anti-medical science nuts who scream about conspiracies and worship at the altar of mercola whenever this comes up. While being cautious is okay, being completely anti-vax because of anecdotal experiences and various woo-woo blogs is not only stupid, it's dangerous.

[tavalon]

18. I'm with you on that

When I was doing my research and learning some awful truths I didn't want to know about vaccines (and about the CDC-that destroyed my faith in them), I had to wade through so much useless shit. Luckily, my BSN nursing program included evaluation of information. It helped me immensely.

[safeinOhio]

5. Named my beneficiary.

[tavalon]

10. We're going next week to get our legal stuff up to date

It isn't specifically because of this issue but it's a catalyst.

[Delphinus]

13. Now that's a good idea.

I'm a parent, but of a grown person now, so don't have to worry about that - just odds and ends. Get my cremation arranged - certainly have NO desire to be buried.

I will stock food and things like Tavalon suggested but I will not be getting the vaccination. I'll wash my hands, cover my mouth, not go to work if sick ... but I've had a good life and do not mind crossing over to the other side.

[tavalon]

17. Actually, if you are in the right age group, it may be no worse for you than regular flu

It seems to be the cytokine storm that is killing and it tends to kill those with really good immune systems, those in their 20s and 30s.

I'm not about to harp on you about the vaccine. I'm really worried about it. I have to get it for a few reasons but I fault no one who decides to forgo it unless it's based on ignorance and belief that H1N1 isn't a big deal. You get it and I don't blame you for your choice.

Think about getting an n95 respirator. You can get them at the Home Despot or your local hardware store.

[Delphinus]

19. I'll check into the n95.

And thank you - truly - for getting that I get it. :hug:

I do get it - have been following it for a few years and have tried to raise awareness of it with my place of employment, neighborhood associations, family, etc. I understand what the ramifications are.

Good luck to you and yours.

[tavalon]

21. And to you and yours

Thank you so much for mentioning your dog. I totally forgot about his food. It will be added to the stockpile. Not that he would care if he was forced to eat canned salmon, but..................

[superduperfarleft]

26. There's a great tool out there that EVERYONE should use

regardless of the flu. If you've ever had to piece someone's life together from a pile of paperwork after they died suddenly, something like this would've been amazing.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/21/free-life-affairs-organizer/

[Hannah Bell]

11. i'm bookmarking posts like this in preparation.

[tavalon]

22. Thanks

I'm glad this one hasn't turned into a flamefest. And there have been some really good ideas floated.

[mdavies013]

12. No one going for the low hanging fruit....plastic and duct tape...i'm disappointed.

[tavalon]

14. Sorry, not going to help in this situation

Then again, I suppose you could use the visqueen and duct tape to air seal your sick family member's room. But I don't think that would help anymore than just keeping the door closed and practicing contact isolation, so I guess you're right, there's just no room in this little scenario for our beloved plastic and duct tape. Poor Tom Ridge.

[hlthe2b]

15. I work in public health so I am already immersed in it...

No vacations for leading senior staff, have already canceled national meetings and conferences I'd planned to attend, given the knowledge that I may be working around the clock on disease surveillance, health care provider consultations, and mass vaccination campaigns. So, others can joke, but knowing this, I'm trying to make sure I have 3 weeks or more of stocked food (and dog food), making sure I can pay all bills online or they are paid two months in advance, have as much cash on hand that is feasible, a sleeping bag and few changes of clothes in the office and am doing everything possible to eat healthy, get enough sleep, some exercise, and reduce personal stress (yeah, sure). NO sodas, plenty of iced green tea. Hand disinfectant gel for those times when I'm unable to wash... Looking at a last minute replacement of my aging car in September to ensure I have reliable transportation...

Still to do,make a plan A, B, and C for care of my precious doggie girl, if needed.

Obviously, my situation is considerably different, but this looks to be a situation that could have fairly intense impacts on the public as well.

If I had children or were pregnant, or had chronic health conditions myself, I would be paying particularly close attention to what CDC and your local and state health departments recommend for you to do-- as these are all groups at considerably higher risk.

[tavalon]

20. You sure are at ground zero

I've been to a number of conferences about pandemics but it was back when we were just sure that H1N5 was our bug (not to say it won't be at some time but it has been relatively kind thus far). There are so many things people don't consider about infrastructure issues.

I notice you didn't mention the n95 respirators. Are we going with just having the first responders use them. Since I'm a nurse, I've used them many times and man, they are uncomfortable. I wonder if that's part of the reticence to recommend them or is it just that people won't likely use them correctly?

[hlthe2b]

28. Health care workers delivering direct patient care...

should be fit-tested and have them available and use when in close proxiity to the patient and their exposed face, nose, throat. However, getting a standard surgical mask on the ill person to prevent droplet spread is most important as data has shown (since spring) that droplet (rather than aerosol) spread is the key issue... Distance of 1 meter or more (3-6 feet) is adequate to prevent exposure, so keep that in mind. CDC modified their PPE precautions above that routine for seasonal flu directed at potential aerosol spread but most states have already down graded and I expect CDC to follow suit (consistent with what I have described).


The public will likely have little benefit from N95 level respirators unless they are volunteering to care for lots of sick family members and friends/neighbors and can be fit tested and trained in appropriate use. Otherwise, keeping that 3-6 feet distance to prevent sneeze/cough contact and frequent handwashing prior to touching hands, nose, mouth or food will go a very long way in keeping the average person well--even with sick family members in the household.

[tavalon]

30. Thank you for that prompt and well thought out reply

I hadn't heard of the change and our hospital has continued to use n95 masks for flu contact isolation.

[hlthe2b]

35. Well, CDC has not YET downgraded, so it depends on

whether your atate health department has done so and whether your hospital relies on State or Federal recommendations. Expect the issue to be resolved soon, but there are some inconsistencies, still, i'm afraid.

[OneGrassRoot]

27. I don't want to bury my head in the sand and won't, but....

as someone with a child, I'm starting to get scared to death. I can't lock her in her room until this passes -- certainly not BEFORE it starts to manifest solidly.

It's hard to strike a cord of balance and awareness when one's kids are potentially at risk, with not flat-out panicking.

We should all have emergency measures in place for myriad reasons that this could be needed, so that's a good idea. Still, the undercurrent of extraordinary concern is unnerving, ESPECIALLY as it involves children being potentially at more risk than others, even if they don't -- thank goodness -- have chronic health conditions.

A brand-spanking new vaccine rushed into production with little time for testing of potential effects doesn't give me warm fuzzies either.

:cry:

[hlthe2b]

31. Teach them hand washing techniques: 30 seconds minimum

before touching eyes, nose, mouth or food (singing stanza of happy birthday is about right).

Teach them to keep 3-6 feet distance from their friends who may be coughing, sneezing or with fever and capable of spreading (little kids can learn the "helicopter arm swing" game to reinforce this.

Avoid crowded social events when possible as influenza increases in your communities. Keeping the kids home if your school has a major outbreak, does nothing if they go to the mall with their friends.

Here are the hot off the press target groups for first priority vaccination from CDC's advisory commitee (released yesterday). I know you are concerned about vaccine safety. I am as well, but am staying on top of the data and believe strongly that it will be as safe as it possibly can be. Keep up to date and go to reliable sources (not rumor mongering websites or anonymous DU posts). Know that every public health person and health provider like me is going to have to vaccinate themselves and their own children, so we are in this together.

ACIP recommendations:

I. Target Populations for H1N1 novel Influenza vaccine (focus of immunization activities)

There are 5 target populations
1. Pregnant women
2. Household contacts of children under 6 months of age
3. Emergency Medical Services
4. Children, youth & young adults: aged 6 months to 24 years
4. Non-elderly adults with underlying risk conditions

II Prioritization if there is need for this (should there be a case where supply & demand do not match)
These groups are as follows:
1. Pregnant women
2. Household contacts of children under 6 months (since these children are too young for vaccine)
3. Subset of Health Care Workers wit direct patient care responsibilities
4. Children between 6 months and 4 years of age
5. Children 5 years to 18 years of age with underlying chronic health conditions that put them at greatest risk of complications from H1N1 novel influenza infection.

Seasonal influenza vaccine is also STRONGLY recommended and needs to be administered as early as possible when vaccine is available

[tavalon]

34. Please, please, please post this as an original OP

I know a large group of people here think we are just crying wolf but if we can get just a few people, any people to listen to this advice it's worth it.

[hlthe2b]

37. I'm actually out the door shortly for work and today is crazy...

You have my permission to cut and paste or link as you like if you would like.
;)

[tavalon]

44. Thanks

I'm also about out the door to go to work but I will do it this evening if you haven't already.

You are a great resource. Thanks for being willing to lend some of your expertise.

[hlthe2b]

47. No problem.. that's what i do..

;)

[OneGrassRoot]

36. You are very kind...

I will save this. I have a 16-year-old who has always been good about hand washing, with proper technique, coughing into her arm, etc.

Still, in public situations such as schools...it often doesn't matter what you do -- it's what others do.

I wonder if they'll implement some sort of teaching program when school begins, making sure kids speak up as soon as they get certain symptoms and not disregard it?

Again, many thanks for the information and your kindness.

:hug:

[uppityperson]

93. 30 seconds:sing twinkle twinkle/abcd through slowly twice.

baa baa black sheep is also the same basic tune and length, AND you can make up your own words for variety.

Thank you for your post

[tavalon]

33. All true, but panicking won't help you or your child

And that is so much easier to say than to do. Just do the things you can and get as educated as you can and do it now, rather than in the middle of October. Do the things to prepare now and just listen closely. I'd like to reassure you that all will be well and maybe it will but we don't know.

[tekisui]

29. I know they are expecting the virus to be back this fall,

are they also expecting it to be more deadly? Or just more widespread?

[hlthe2b]

41. Far more widespread and potentially more deadly...

especially to the risk groups with concomitant health conditions like lung disease, asthma, the morbidly obese, potentially among those who are pregnant, etc.

We normally see 36000 deaths from seasonal flu, so that is important to keep in mind. Influenza can be deadly. This one is serious because very few of us have any immunity (those who experienced H1N1 in 1918 have some cross protection, the rest of us, minimal, if any).

[tavalon]

45. Wouldn't the people who got it in this first round be okay?

I was assuming basic viral rules applied.

[hlthe2b]

46. those who truly had novel H1N1 (swine) and not seasonal flu

should, yes, be immune.

[tavalon]

50. But I think there was some confusion about how well we were determining which was which

[hlthe2b]

51. Late spring and summer, nearly all circulating flu was H1N1 novel

so even if it was not confirmed beyond a rapid flu test for type A, you can be fairly certain it was H1N1 novel (aka "swine")

[tavalon]

54. Isn't it unusual for any flu to circulate in late spring and early summer?

Does that mean anything about this virus or do I just have that little tidbit wrong?

[hlthe2b]

67. No, you are right... and now it is co-circulating with seasonal

strains (including those that are widely tamiflu-resistant) in the southern latitudes.

[tavalon]

43. We don't fully know but even if it isn't more deadly (cross your fingers, I am)

it will almost for sure be far more widespread which means hospitals will be overwhelmed and possibly there will be breakdowns in service provisions, including food and water and that there may need to be school closures and other forms of social isolation that could make things pretty difficult.

[armyowalgreens]

23. I'm doing absolutely nothing. Odds are H1N1 will be no worse than common flu strains...

If you are really freaking out, you are being paranoid.

If you are very young or very old, get a vaccine. Otherwise, take a multivitamin and avoid licking peoples hands.

[tavalon]

49. Read some of the posts here

Your post says that you really don't get it. We aren't trying to scare you but you do need to be informed and you don't seem to understand one important fact. Even if this strain is no more lethal than regular flu, no one has immunity, therefore more people will get sick, far more people. Think for a moment what that means with regard to schools, stores, utilities and even hospitals.

I get that you've been told to panic too damn many times in the last eight years. Unfortunately, it appears to have dulled your senses around when you need to be prepared for something that might just really be important. I hope it isn't, but you're refusing to pay attention isn't good for you.

[greguganus]

55. Do you think it's okay to continue lickin' feets? n/t

[tavalon]

57. Wash them first!

And don't you dare get my thread locked by making it into a sex thread!

[MercutioATC]

70. He CDC and WHO disagree.

...and even if they're wrong, why would anybody not take some basic precautions?

[spinbaby]

24. Start taking bets on whom Fox will blame the flu

So many choices. Is it caused by Obama, immmigrants, socialized medicine, Canadians?

[SoCalDem]

25. Nothing. I've never had ANY flu, so I suspect that this one will miss me as well

I wash my hands all the time, and rarely touch people (I stay home a lot?)..)

When I handle money, I always avoid touching my face, and wash up right away after it.

I never go to crowded places, since I am not a "shopper", and have not been to a mall in years.

[OneGrassRoot]

32. We hermits should be fine...

;)

I am concerned about my extraordinarily active 16-year-old who is, like other kids in public school, very much around others on a constant basis.

I'm sure kids are hoping the schools will be preemptively shut down. :hippie:

[pipi_k]

82. That's what I used to think too...

Mr Pip and I live in the woods. In a normal week we might get out once or twice. The rest of the time we're here.

There have been winters when we've both gotten horribly ill with bronchitis, which is more dangerous for him because he's diabetic and has lung issues anyway. Where do the germs come from?

Well, apparently because we're not exposing ourselves on a regular basis to the germs of the world, we're more susceptible to them when we do go out.

I'm a fanatic about hand washing, especially in the winter. And don't even get me started on people who can't even be bothered to sneeze into their own elbows or something. No, just right out there in the open, usually as we're walking down some store aisle and they're in front of us and they let go and what's there to do but a quick about-face, hoping none of the snot was breathed in accidentally.


People can just be so fucking rude sometimes. And most of them don't even care that they could be sneezing in the face of someone who has a compromised immune system.


oops...I guess I got off on a rant tangent.... ;)

[tavalon]

52. I have your picture as my desktop. I love it.

You're doing really good things already. You might want to think about stocking up on food and water in case the stores have problems stocking. Otherwise, just keep your ear to the tracks.

[SoCalDem]

65. the little girls pic? n/t

[tavalon]

74. Yep, it amused me so much when I saw it that I lifted it

I change my desktop image quite often so it may not be there much longer. But it makes me smile. I wonder how those kids smelled after they played with the "kitties", especially when mom came around.

[SoCalDem]

84. I was just hoping that Mom did not show up

:)

[tavalon]

85. Ain't that the truth!

I've heard that descented skunks make wonderful companions.

[NashVegas]

71. "Stock Up On Water"

They really think it's so bad utilities could get knocked out?

[tavalon]

75. I highly doubt it

but we have these two 50 gallon water tanks so it doesn't hurt us a bit to do that.

[MercutioATC]

38. I've just added some flu-specific items to the normal preps I always have.

I always have food and water for at least a month (for me and my son) at my house and another 6-month supply at another location that we'll go to if things get too squirrelly. Full medical kit with basic surgery supplies, basic meds, water purification, generator (with gas and oil stocked), hand-powered radio with weather band, flashlights, LOTS of extra batteries, a couple of firearms and plenty of ammunition...and a lot of other specialty items.

For the flu, I've added some N95 and N100 masks, more hand sanitized, and some flu-specific OTC meds...and I made a few batches of elderberry tincture.


We could REALLY use a "Preparedness" forum here at DU..

[OneGrassRoot]

42. Do you mind being more specific?

Where did you get the masks, OTC meds you feel are most effective, recipe for elderberry tincture.

:)

I could Google but maybe you have the info readily available and can share here for others, too.

Thanks much. :)

[MercutioATC]

58. Got the masks online.

I already had a lot of OTC meds stocked, but I added more of those that treated flu symptoms (cough suppressents, fever reducers, anti-diarrheals).

Elderberry tincture is easy. I used freeze-dried berries (purchased online). Fill a mason jar 1/3 full with the berries. Fill the rest with 80+ proof vodka. Shake. Store in a cool, dark place and give it a little shake every day for the first couple of weeks. To use, add a tablespoon to any drink twice a day.

It should be noted that this should be used as a prophylactic or immediately after symptoms begin. Using it when symptoms have gotten more severe could pussibly result in making things worse (Google "cytokine storm" for an explanation).

[tavalon]

60. I will do a bit of research on that one

Thanks.

[OneGrassRoot]

63. You're awesome...

Much appreciated. :)

[MercutioATC]

69. Thanks, happy to help. Prepping is easy (and cheap)...and it doesn't require panic.

Actually, knowing you're prepared reduces the perceived desire to panic.

I chose to spend about $700 for long-term-storage food, but the rest can be picked up pretty inexpensively.

[tavalon]

76. Thank you for saying that!

I'm not trying to get anyone to panic. I just want us to be thinking and trading ideas for how best to get through this.

[MercutioATC]

92. It's important for people to realize that "preparedness" isn't based in "panic".

In fact, the former is a calmly considered course of action that actually reduces the chance of the latter.

[MadinMo]

100. Re the elderberry tincture

I've been wondering about the elderberry tincture. I've read about it on some other forums (mostly preparedness forums) and have been intrigued.

If I use the elderberries that are growing down the road from me, will they have the same effect? (this is a serious question.....)

And I agree we really could use a preparedness forum. Its good to know others here at DU are of the same frame of mind.

[tavalon]

53. Good job and yes, we should have such a forum!

[MercutioATC]

62. If I haven't stated it before, kudos for your posts here!

You're doing a great job presenting the concept of preparedness in an intelligent, calm way.

:thumbsup:

[wuvuj]

79. Good idea...

...to get your vit D levels up? I'm trying to keep mine in the +65 ng/ml range. Will have 1 months food and will avoid crowds. Extra cash.

[hedgehog]

88. I second that. There are observations out there suggesting

that Vitamin D does help fight off the flu virus. For example, flu hits tropical areas during the monsoon (cloudy days) and the northern hemisphere during winter (people indoors).

[AngryAmish]

48. I've decided to panic.

[tavalon]

56. I'm sorry

That's about the least helpful thing to do. Since you've decided to go that route, you might want to discuss with your doctor getting a prescription for an anti-anxiety med. Then maybe you can think more clearly and prepare more effectively.

Or were you just being facetious?

[tavalon]

59. Thank you to everyone here who helped make this a productive conversation

I'm heading to the hospital to sleep for the day. We are having a heat wave around these parts so I'm going to the air conditioner. But I will check this thread when I get up so if you ask me a question and get no answer until 5pm, that would be why.

[NashVegas]

68. Getting Rid of the Porn Videos

And anything else that might embarrass whomever gets stuck cleaning out my place.

[Catshrink]

73. Any advice for teachers?

I teach HS so the issue of snotty noses is minimal but yet I will be in a classroom with 120 different children throughout the day. I always get the vaccine because of the number of kids I'm around -- and many of them have younger siblings.

And... this may be a dumb question ... why do you stockpile water? Are you worried that the municipal water supply might be contaminated? I use a Brita filter instead of bottled water because it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly. I could filter a bunch and stockpile it or buy it but just wondering why.

Dogs and cats won't get this, right?

[tavalon]

77. As far as I know dogs and cats are safe

The water thing is just because we have the storage bins. No, I think it would be quite the stretch to have the utilities go down. But if you live in an area that has hurricanes or earthquakes, having a supply of water is always a good idea.

[MercutioATC]

78. In reference to the water question:

As more people get sick, the manpower available to any company or public utility is decreased. That very well may not result in a shutdown of municipal systems, but the entire system doesn't have to fail for YOUR delivery to fail.

Water main break, lateral line to your house breaks, even if plumbing inside your house fails...there may not be somebody available to fix it. And you might not want them inside your house even if there is, assuming you're trying to limit exposure.

The same is true of electrical service...it already takes days to restore power after a bad storm. Imagine how long it would take if the power company only had half as many people available.

Storing potable water is cheap insurance against temporary service interruptions.

[tavalon]

80. Explain to your kids at the beginning of the year about the extra importance of

handwashing and sneezing and coughing into their elbow instead of their hands. Remind them that it's really important that if they have symptoms of the flu, that they don't tough it out but stay home instead. And if you are generally a touchy feely huggy kind of teacher, explain to them that you are going to practice distance but they shouldn't take it personally.

I don't know if vitamins or specifically vitamin C and D help with immunity and even if I had an opinion on that one, it wouldn't be wise to start giving that kind of advice, but I can say that plenty of sleep and healthy eating can help your immune system.

To clarify on the water thing, no contamination worried, the flu is carried by droplets of mucus but doesn't live well outside of mucus membranes so it won't be in the water supply though no one should be sharing cups of water because of shared body fluid issues.

[Fire1]

81. Continue practicing good hygiene, eat well to keep my

resistance up, get as much rest as possible and try to keep stress at a minimum.

[tavalon]

83. All excellent ideas.

[juno jones]

89. I suspect I already had it this spring. Im betting on partial immunity.

We'll be careful, stock up and keep clean, natch. And seriously, if I do get sick I'm not going anywhere. I don't see my family getting shots. Safety aside (and I do worry), we have no insurance and are not in one of the populations at risk for mortality.

[KatyMan]

91. So when is this all supposed to happen?

Fall? September? Will it depend on temps in one's area?

[uppityperson]

94. Make a fortune by packaging/selling a "natural remedies to swine flu" kit

Put together some vitamins, minerals, maybe some garden herbs, a crystal, some way of making sure that the person gets the "right" kit with the "most beneficial" crystal and type of herb for their (haven't decided what trait yet).

Then I will get a vaccine, wash my hands a lot, have a pantry full of food, and go to work taking care of sick people. Oh yes, make sure to keep an eye on public health websites and info also.

[Maru Kitteh]

95. Nothing. I get a flu shot every year. If the vax is made available to me, I will get it.

I'm just not all that worried about it, and even if I was, what good would it do for me personally to worry? None.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

96. I'm speaking truth to power and debunking the pro-flu shills.

[Blue_In_AK]

97. Not a thing.

[SheilaT]

98. So apparently a lot of people are

expecting the entire infrastructure to fall apart just as it did at Y2K?

Oh, wait. Nothing happened then.

[kestrel91316]

99. I have molded surgical masks, latex gloves, and lots of disinfectant.

At the office, of course. Nothing unusual there.

I have plenty of wheat, cornmeal, and beans in stock, and can get oil and sugar and powdered milk in bulk at the first sign of trouble, and just hole up at home, lol. The office is full of cat fud and litter, so kitties are taken care of, too.

Not sure how I'd pay rent, if I had to hole up, but then I suppose landlords would be prohibited from evicting in such a crisis.

I don't think any such thing is gonna happen, BTW.