Bird Flu

[Lost User]

There has been a lot in the Australian media about our plans to deal with bird flu should it become a pandemic. One thing that has been mentioned a couple of times is voluntary or compulsorily home confinement. I occurred to me that this might be a good time to make sure there is a bit of extra long life food, water purification equipment and other basic emergency survival supplies at home. Given that I dont have much space what should I store to keep two people going for a few weeks?

[Steve]

I think you're getting a bit panicky. If it's truly airborne, locking yourself in your house won't do a thing. It may limit your exposure to others but it won't stop you contracting it if it's in your neighbourhood. Unless you have a nuclear fallout shelter in your basement :) If you are seriously that concerned, my answer would be water purification equipment (a simple, high grade purifier, and some emergency purification tablets), canned foods including things like corn, peas etc. freezable food. If you have freezer space, pre-cook meals, put them in tupperware containers and freeze them. You should be able to get 2 weeks worth of meals. 2 weeks isn't all that long as long as you've got water, canned food and good company... Oh - and an XBOX. :laugh:

[Uwe Keim]

So Monty Python was right. -- Affordable Windows-based CMS for only 99 €: try www.zeta-producer.com for free!

magerquark.de

[El Corazon]

Josh Gray wrote:

Given that I dont have much space what should I store to keep two people going for a few weeks?

Two weeks "rationed" food is not that difficult, not comfortable, but not difficult. Condensed soups (just add water), or dry foods. Beans or rice are excellent. A 20lb sack can last a long while. Don't think big, think sufficient. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

[El Corazon]

Steve :) wrote:

If it's truly airborne, locking yourself in your house won't do a thing. It may limit your exposure to others but it won't stop you contracting it if it's in your neighbourhood.

It's not the people that want to lock themselves in, its the various government plans to lock everyone in. Even the USA has said that "if" it reaches the USA military enforcement of home-lockdowns is "possible" to put on the table. It is a bit early to panic, but the governments are busy deciding how far they will go should the worst happen. I am sure someone will find some profit to be made... ninepence[^] each If I recall.... _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

[ProffK]

It isn't truly airborne. The virus is transmitted only in close proximity to infected people. The DJ's took pills to stay awakwe and play for seven days. - Jim Morrison, Black Polished Chrome.

[Daniel Turini]

It's proven that this is the only food that one can slip under a door :) I don't see dead pixels anymore... Yes, even I am blogging now!

[Weiye Chen]

Daniel Turini wrote:

It's proven that this is the only food that one can slip under a door

But if the delivery guy is infected? :~ Weiye Chen Life is hard, yet we are made of flesh...

[Duncan Edwards Jones]

How would the homeless be affected by this - would they be restricted to one nominated doorway or park bench? Food stuffs that last forever: rice, spaghetti, rice cakes, soy milk, tinned vegetables. Also get some whisky... '--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd

[Daniel Turini]

He'd be at home, eating pizza, too :)