deja flu
the reality of avian flu is upon us.
today i went to an agm of an organisation i am chairperson of. just about the only item that needed attention was the creation of an ACTION PLAN FOR AVIAN FLU. we need to determine if anyone will be reimbursed if we temporarily close before or after bird flu hits. i need to write a letter to all members explaining our policy.
i get home and learn that magnificent charles last week was assigned to create a bird flu scenario for the asia pacific region, together with a few people in california.
i see people i know, people i respect, who have hoarded one month’s worth of water and rice and other non perishable food items in their flat, because they believe bird flu will be running rampant through the city and the supermarkets. some parents have been to see their children’s teachers to discuss lesson plans for when the schools are closed.
it doesn’t seem so long ago that we were singing the SARS song, and businesses were closed and people were exodusing the city. except for bird flu has greater potential to mutate, and harm people. and unlike SARS, no where is safe. canada will get hit with the migratory bird pattern, if not from person to person contact from someone off an airplane, apparently.
the news has been pretty quiet with bird flu reports and updates for the past couple of days. but they’re all pointing towards WHEN it hits, not IF. and no where seems to be immune, and no drug seems to be effective from this constantly mutating disease.
we’re playing wait and see, and we don’t know how long we will be waiting for. magnificent and i need to figure out a game plan. from what i have read, once the flu is spread by personal contact, the recommendations will be containing yourself inside until the quarantine has passed.
my children are outside at least twice a day, for a minimum of 90 minutes per session. most assuredly, they would not be impressed if their outside visits were revoked. reasoning with them would not be effective either.
i am scared of this flu for so many reasons. call me flighty, but barracading my children indoors is one of those reasons why.
sars wasn’t so long ago. but that was another disease, another handwash, another drug.
any advice is welcome.
