I wanted to start a thread on the current situation regarding the Influenza outbreak in Mexico.

I am concerned about a recent CNN report that stated that the virus was shown to have DNA from the Swine, Human, and Avian Influenza viruses.  I am concerned that we may experience another pandemic and that our governments are not giving us enough information and the information we are getting is "toned down" for our benefit.

Does anyone else find this odd/terrifying that a "new" virus has DNA from all of the other MAJOR Influenza viruses out there? And that there is no restriction of travel to Mexico even though 22 students and a teacher from New Zealand who just returned from Mexico are now sick with the same strain.  Who knows how many people they infected on the planes they were on (or the airport bathroom faucets).

I have been in food storage mode for the last few years, but may have to step things up a bit.

This week I am planning on purchasing 8- 45gallon plastic water barrels and have already started storing food.  If this thing shows up in Canada - guaranteed you will need more than the proverbial 72 hour emerg kit. 

Not trying to be a doomsayer, but please check into the 1918 flu pandemic to educate yourself.(WIKIPEDIA is just fine for the common layperson).  As well research an immunological response called a "cytokine storm", which is what makes the influenza virus so deadly to HEALTHY people.

If I need too I will  'hole-up" until it's all over.  For now - Alcohol based hand sanitizer will be my new best friend!

If the poop hits the fan here's some tips: (keeping in mind that everything we took for granted becomes jeopardized...our jobs, grocery store access, ability to get fuel, emergency/police services stretched to their max, no one to staff stores, banks, utility companies, hospitals, schools....you get the idea). 

To avoid getting sick you'll have to avoid public places - as will everyone else.  Everything you'll need to wait it out will have to be in your home - going out is risking a lot.

 At a minumum people need 2-3 gallons of water per person per day (cooking, drinking ,etc).  For the three of us that makes 9 gallons per day which means a 45 gallon barrel gives us 4-5 days of water.  I plan on having 3 barrels in the basement and then 5 outside (to catch rain water which can be boiled and filtered).  This will give us about 40-46 days of water (without replenishment).

Buy cases of beans, soups, vegetables, fruits, powdered milk, spices and sweeteners, oil for cooking, nuts, seeds, flour, sugar, yeast, fruit leather, jerkey, anything dried like rice, lentils, beans etc that won't spoil.  Store what you could eat for several months.(Count on 6 if a pandemic does hit, because even if things do get better, you might not get the kind of supply of your favorites that you used to.  Imagine shopping with everyone else who hasn't shopped in 6 months!)

If you have any free space, plant seeds in flowerbeds, planters or garden area so you have fresh veggies and fruit that you can eat and possibly store for later.

Have enough medicines (both prescription and non-prescription). And other amenities like TP, feminine products, soap, shampoo etc...

Take a First Aid/CPR course (NOW) - get a survival book (SAS, Scouts, etc...in case you have to go on the move.)

Battery powered flashlights, radio. BBQ's, Firepits, Candles, books, games, toys. (If you are housebound you need something to do!).

Set aside extra cash to pay bills, you may miss a month of work to care for your children if they close schools, daycares etc.  Have at least one months worth of expenses saved.  Have some household cash to buy food, fuel etc..in case the banks are closed and (ATM's may become risky to go to).

For more info on Emerg. Preparedness a great book is Emergency Preparedness Food Storage Handbook or When Technology Fails - a Planetary Survival Guide (both of which I found at Amazon.com).

As an endnote - if you think it can't happen here, just look at our history - It has happened here and may be happening again.

(I hope you find this info helpful - and if not...maybe it got you thinking at least.)

God Bless.