Probably a dumb question about bird flu...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

If it happens, and it becomes widespread, what about money? Dumb part: Since it is a virus could it still be passed on money?

After I read the post here about how we are being told to stock up on canned tuna, it made me think about how we would pass currency? How could stores and banks operate?

[Atman]

1. Don't use chickens to pay for your groceries

It is a BIRD FLU. It is not spread among humans. They keep telling us it MIGHT, which is how they keep the panic level up. But as yet, this is not a human disease, it is about BIRDS.

[IsItJustMe]

9. I was working in food preperation at a hospital when the AIDS scare broke.

The hysteria was crazy so our supervisor called a meeting. I remember one of the food staff people asking if we could get AIDS handing the trays after AIDS patients got through with them.

As long as I live I will never forget the supervisors responce:

Well, as long as you don't put the food tray between your legs and sit on it, I think you'll be OK.

LOL

Your response was cool and brought back old memories.

[sarcasmo]

13. The panic level isn't even near fever pitch. When Fox news starts

scaring the sheep then watch as the panic turns into widespread panic. By the way that is my favorite Canadian band. Widespread Panic.

[phantom power]

2. Yes, flu can be passed by money.

A flu can be passed by most human interaction. That's one reason it would be very bad for the economy. Schools would have to be shut down. People would go out as little as possible.

At any rate, in such an event, I would probably use my debit card, and wipe the keypad down before using it. Or something. And wash my hands as if I had OCD. Simple hand-washing is known to be one of the most effective ways to prevent contagions.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. hmmm. well that would be chaos -- every merchant who didn't

take debit cards would go under. Same thing for mail too I suppose.

[Avalux]

3. Money, doorknobs, any surface

The virus can live outside the body for awhile. Long and short of it - if a pandemic happens, would be best to have a supply of goods and stay indoors; no contact with anyone. Could be for months.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. sounds like we need to save up a lot of money too, if people

aren't able to go to work. My husband thinks that the whole thing is totally overblown to scare people - just like Bill Maher. I on the other hand, take it seriously.

[Avalux]

6. There's two components at play here -

Scientists and those in the know (such as myself) are concerned that if a pandemic occurs, there's no way any government agency can deal with it. We'll all be on our own and the best way to keep from getting infected is to stay home and be prepared. We don't know anything for sure, and a pandemic may never happen. But we really can't say for sure.

Of course the government/media recognize an avian flu pandemic as a very scary scenario that may happen, so they sensationalize it and instead of educating people, succeed in scaring them.

It's difficult to separate the science from the hype, but people have to take it upon themselves to do so. Plenty of scientific info on the net. I'd read that and not listen to TV news. :hi:

[IsItJustMe]

7. Like any other flu it is very unlikely that money could spread it. What

you need to look out for is other people that have it. Airborne is they flu spreads from people coughing or sneezing or comming into contact with their bodily fluids.

Just don't do your trade with chickens.

[Warpy]

8. It can be passed on any surface if you touch that

surface then rub your eyes, nose, or mouth. In other words, wash your hands. and scratch with the back of your wrist.

The most efficient transmission is by droplet, though. Surgical masks during the height of an outbreak may provide some protection from inhaled droplets, but most of the protection will come from the barrier to touching your nose or mouth.

Flu has enough of a prodromal stage--where the person is infected and highly contagious but not yet sick--that it is very efficiently transmitted from person to person.

I know exactly who gave me the flu last year, someone who went to work sick as hell because she wanted to use her sick days as extra vacation days. If you are sick, STAY HOME. Do us all a favor.

[Atman]

10. IF YOU'RE A BIRD!

Only one post in this thread acknowledged that...THIS IS A BIRD FLU, not a people flu. There is concern that it MIGHT MUTATE -- repeat, MIGHT MUTATE and pass to humans. But is isn't doing that. It is killing BIRDS. NOT PEOPLE! Be concerned that maybe possibly somehow maybe it could possibly MUTATE and become a PEOPLE FLU, but it is not, it is a BIRD FLU.

The government has done a fabulous job of scaring the living shit out of everybody! And last night I got flamed for suggesting that the government is saying the scariest part will come right around election time...BUT SO WHAT? BIRDS DON'T VOTE!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. I think everyone was well aware that we were talking about the

situation IF it mutated to person to person. But I totally understand what you are saying and many others agree - the likelihood is low.

I just started thinking about this since they are telling us to buy and store canned tuna for 5-6 months from now.

[napi21]

12. Well, I don't think it's working! My hubby works at a supermarket,

and there's still plenty of tuna on the shelves, and the powdered milk stock is just fine too!

When some warnings like that work, you can't find ANY in the local stores! Remember the plastic sheets and duct tape?

I think lots of people are actually starting to think...does this make sense???? If not, they're just not doing it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. I hope you are right ! Because we, as a nation, are not ready for

any disaster. You'd think somebody would wake up and think about NOLA. Every city should have a published plan on how to get out and where to go, but they don't.

I still have never figured out what is up with the civil defense centers - not even sure if they still exist, but they were locations all over town. seems like someone had a good plan back then...