531. The end is coming

I was visiting Jeanne, my friend/colleague, who now works in Pandemic Flu. We were sitting in Falls Church Blues Festival, and our conversation turned to what she does. She painted a pretty grim picture of a Flu epidemic that can wipe out 100 million people in six-eight weeks. Apparently, the human-to-human flu occurs two-three times in a century, and can strike anytime now, because of Avian Influenza virus mutation.

So, how do you prevent being a casualty? You prepare. Here's the link to the Red Cross' Emergency Preparedness Site, but I'm also listing the key things you must do for Pandemic Flu.

Once a flu occurs in a place, you need to isolate yourself from others who might have the virus. So, you should prepare to avoid social contact for six-eight weeks (I'm already liking the idea of not talking to anyone for two months, would be good for my soul). Here's what you need to store:

1. Eight weeks worth of non-perishable food, particularly food that doesn't require water or cooking, and can opener
2. For each person, one gallon of drinking water per day (42 gallons for six weeks)
3. 6 weeks supply of prescription drugs
4. battery or hand powered radio
5. first aid kit
6. ID, passport, birth certificate, insurance policy
7. Emergency out of town/state contact info
8. Map
9. Cash money
10. Warm clothes and shoes
11. Toilet paper and personal hygiene products
12. Tools - Adjustable wrench, can opener, plastic sheet, plastic bags for trash
13. Duct Tape

You need to update this preparedness kit every six months, particularly food and water.

Now aren't you glad you learned something?

Let me present another scenario. What if you were bitten by werewolves, and need to hide every full moon?