New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[hilda-and-evadne]

Was reading on the web about how there are not enough vaccines for everyone, and private health companies are stocking up on the anti-viral drugs, and face masks have to be changed twice a day and disposed of safely (face masks seem to cost about £11 for 4).

 

I think I am being realistic, not panicking. We live on such a crowded little island - and I live in the highly mobile population of London - a swine fever pandemic could turn into a big problem. For those of us who live alone, it isn't as easy as just staying in bed. I work from home and am thinking on the lines of, for instance, going to Sainsburys at the times of day when I know there are very few other people there; not going on the bus at all; not going to church. And then I still might catch it from the tenants in the downstairs flat who go out to work.

[Tessa the Duchess]

There has been talk on the news of people who maybe live alone setting up a network of friends/relatives who could get drugs, medications etc., if you were confined at home should you catch the lurgy. I'm pretty sure if this does become a pandemic then face masks would be available free in many places. Apparently the last pandemic in this country was in 1968 and I can't even remember it happening, although 30,000 people died. I do however remember the Asian flu pandemic in the 1950's. Keep calm and carry on seems the only sensible way to go at the moment.

 

Tessa

[Willow]

I'm going to get so boring on this but

 

Handwashing 30secs+ with soap and hot water is most effective thing you can do. Don't touch your face unless you have just washed hands. Virus can enter through mouth and eyes contact lens wearers should definitely take care to wash hands before removing lens as well and putting them in.

 

Face masks must be N95 masks to be effective and yes lot of advice on how to handle them appropriately so they remain safe. Surgical masks help a little bit if they are on someone who is sick to help reduce spread of disease. Does nothing to prevent you getting ill and can give false sense of security.

[Helly Welly]

I agree, we all need to not panic and wash or hands a lot. Carry one of those little hand gel bottles with you and try to stay fit and healthy. I would imagine that the people who are more likely to suffer badly are those with compromised immune systems?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Here's mine . (Sorry, I know it's serious but couldn't resist .)

 

[clootie]

Looking good ANH !! Where's Kermit when you need him?

[Geoid]

I will be fine:

Army issue NBC (Nuclear, Chemical, Biological) suit with respirator. (which I use at the moment for paintball)

Edited April 28, 2009 by Guest

[clootie]

[Willow]

love that mask can see that going down well doing the food shopping

 

I would imagine that the people who are more likely to suffer badly are those with compromised immune systems?

 

Afraid not, one of the features of a pandemic is that the young and fit have a higher mortality rate. Their immune system tries so hard to fit the disease it causes other problems.

[Helly Welly]

I'll slob around on the sofa for a while then

[Guest]

I shall be right hacked off if this rather mild disease naffs up my next holiday!

 

Of course I'd be rather if they closed the schools. But that's a bit of a dream - our school would be the only one still open!

[Lewis]

love that mask can see that going down well doing the food shopping

 

I would imagine that the people who are more likely to suffer badly are those with compromised immune systems?

 

Afraid not, one of the features of a pandemic is that the young and fit have a higher mortality rate. Their immune system tries so hard to fit the disease it causes other problems.

Is this an excuse to be unfit

[Willow]

Is this an excuse to be unfit

 

Works for me

[Fizzle Knit]

Thinking back to the media-induced bird flu and SARs panics I really can't get worked up about this one (yet). Not that I'm belittling the effects flu can have, but I do wonder if this is yet another media scare story.

[Chillicat]

I don't think its a media scare..............its for real.

Government have known about this for a while.........what did Ken know when he stocked up on all that medication, eh?

Prevention is better than cure

On a lighter note, do they do those masks in pink or even yellow?

[Old Speckled Hen]

I might just take a trip to the docs' in this

 

Edited April 29, 2009 by Guest

[Geoid]

5 might just take a trip to the docs' in this

 

Why? I doesn't filter out the air (although it does look cool )

[Old Speckled Hen]

The Stig never catches 'flu