October 16, 2005
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i do have internet now, but it comes and goes. who knows what's really going on with this broadband service.
the bird flu might get here soon. so when do i stop buying chicken? apparently the uk will wait until it hits the country before they decide to bring the chickens indoors. so right now the chickens are all outdoors waiting for to catch the flu when it gets here. anyway, here's some advice from the independent in case it does. scary. I hope we won't have to get there.
What to do if a pandemic strikes
If avian flu starts to pass rapidly from person to person, sparking a pandemic, protecting yourself and your family will be largely in your own hands. There will be little that the Government or doctors will be able to do to stop you catching it.
Existing flu jabs will be of no use. Anti-viral drugs, such as Tamiflu, can reduce the severity of the illness if taken within 48 hours of symptoms first appearing, and should save lives. But, in the short-term, supplies are scarce. The Government ordered 14.6m courses of the drug last spring, but was relatively late in doing so and we are some way back in the queue.
So what can you do in the meantime? First, don't panic. Try to minimise contact with other people: that will not just provide self-protection, but will help prevent the virus spreading.
Get in stocks of food and water and try, as far as possible, to sit out the pandemic. The authorities will almost certainly have closed schools and theatres, cancelled sporting fixtures and may restrict transport.
Otherwise, self-protection means reverting to what may seem old-fashioned rules of hygiene.
The virus can be breathed in, or taken in through the skin. So carry a handkerchief for when you need to blow your nose or sneeze. Cover your mouth when you cough. Remember the old rhyme "coughs and sneezes spread diseases".
Wash your hands frequently. Experts say you can catch the flu from handshakes or doorknobs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Never share mugs, glasses, cutlery, towels or toothbrushes. Use paper towels to clean surfaces regularly, then bin them.
Comments (3)
we had H5N1 in hong kong back in.. hmm.. 1997? it's nothing to be scared about really.. just become a hypochondriac like me and russ.. wash your hands with soap and water for 15secs everytime you come home from the outside.. be aware of touching other people or coming in contact with them in any way..
i dont think it'll get anywhere as severe as SARS where we'll hafta wear masks everywhere we go.. but if in doubt, that is one way to go..
it's because of high dense population and diseases like this that people in big cities become so defensive.. (on top of terrorism and pick pocketing and.. oh the list goes on)..
eLfie.x
I think those struck down by bird flu are mainly those who handle live chicken. Don't worry too much because if you do you won't have any food to eat. First there were mad cows, then piggies with bad foot and mouth disease, then bird flu. In HK we also have 'choy sum' with too much pesticides harmful to the body, and of course carcinogenic eels. (I miss eels!)
We even have egg-rolls with too much carcinogenic colourings... I mean... we all know smoking cigarettes kills... but eating egg-rolls also kills? We have nothing left to eat....
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